Spotlighting: Kelpman Ocean Blends
Being based on the jagged edge of the Atlantic, we’re very fortunate to be immersed in a volatile and changing environment that gives you an appreciation and respect for the natural world. It’s no wonder that we’re surrounded by a swath of inspiring people dedicated to the betterment and protection of this natural world whether through, social, practical or business based change.
It’s in this last category that we find friend and fellow surfer, David McGarrell, owner and founder of Kelpman Ocean Blends. Kelpman is west coast borne, plant based super food supplements harnessing the nutritional value of Atlantic seaweed and the lifestyle surrounding it in a responsible and conscious way. We caught up with Dave for a dive into Kelpman and the what makes it so good.
How did Kelpman come about and what is it?
KELPMAN came about really from the moment I decided to stop long term surf travel and focus on Environmental conservation as a career. That decision kinda changed everything for me, sending me in the complete opposite direction of where I was going. If it wasn't for that I'd still probably be working on building sites in Western Australia and flying off to the Indo/Pacific for 6 months a year.
But I guess somewhere along the journey, I became kinda unstuck. I stopped seeing palm trees and smiles and started noticing bulldozers, and polluted lineups. I could no longer separate myself from the aimless destruction and started to feel like the cause. It didn't take genius to look a mere 15 yrs back and see that were there once were huts and villagers eating of folded palm leaves, there now where coca cola bottles and night clubs. It didnt matter how far you ventured into the islands it was the same. Ports and harbours choking with pollution and diesel fumes.
All for the development of tourism.. So, I decided to leave and go back to university. Study Environmental Science and Coastal Management. This would lead me towards returning to Ireland and undertaking an internship in Belmullet, where I learned all about the basic principles of the Seaweed industry and how it offered a viable solution towards the sequestration of atmospheric carbon while also denitrifying the water column.
From this moment on I became obsessed with developing my own Seaweed farm and designing an independent carbon trading scheme. I submitted an application for a transfer from an existing licence holder, that little unbeknown to me would take years before being eventually declined. In the meantime I developed the idea of KELPMAN as an alternative means towards increasing the consumption of Irish Seaweed.
I knew if I could just change people's perception with regard to the taste and palatability of Seaweed they would be won over by its immense nutritional value. At this time the Plant based protein market was starting to take off.
I was like whoa, some Irish species of Seaweed are ⅓ protein in composition.. Has nobody thought of combining and integrating them within a Plant based supplement..? Light bulb moment…! Thats when I started working on one of many formulas to design a natural and functional, plant based protein supplement, that would infuse the power of Wild Atlantic macroalgae within an easily consumable and delicious powdered blend.
Explain the Kelpman ethos?
The KELPMAN ethos primarily is founded upon the support of an environmentally sustainable concept (seaweed farming) that has the potential to increase marine biodiversity while providing the invaluable ecosystem service that is carbon sequestration.
We believe that through the development of innovative applications for select species of Irish macroalgae, we can increase the market share and demand of an undervalued food source while encouraging the development of a truly sustainable form of aquaculture.
With all that being said, we see KELPMAN as more than just a novel concept. As individuals who live and breathe an ocean inspired lifestyle, we aim to share this spirit of adventure through the stories of like minded individuals within our island that embody this passion and share similar values in their love for the natural environment.
What are the benefits of seaweed as opposed to traditional protein supplements?
The benefits of integrating Seaweed within a protein supplement are truly remarkable. When combined in ratio with Hemp and Golden pea protein, the result is a truly diverse nutritional profile dense with amino acids and high in antioxidants.
Simply put when dealing with Plant based sources of protein, combination and balance is key. Seaweed makes up for the lack of or imbalance in essential and non essential amino acids, where traditional plant based sources fall short. It also provides a natural source of B12 and is rich in Omega 3’s. In fact its nutritional profile of all 56 vitamins, minerals and micronutrients essential for human health, is unrivalled by any land vegetable on the planet.. Did I also mention it fights off free radicals that speed up the aging process, while also suppressing appetite.. ;)
Why the West Coast/Donegal/Bundoran?
When my family moved back from Australia me and my brother were just kids. Moving from Western Australia to the east coast of Ireland was a transition to say the least. Our first trips where mum and dad used to take us surfing to Bundoran will always stand out in my memory. We both had wetsuits that we took back from Perth and had been bought in Cash converters (second hand shop). We were barely able to walk back up the path in tullan but we were so stoked. I guess those memories always anchored me to Bundy somehow. When I did travel back to Ireland after being gone for so long, it felt like the first home and community I had been part of for a long time. Between that and all the epic waves up and down the coast it was paradise.
What inspires you?
I love stories. I guess that’s what inspired me in the first place to continually get lost in strange places. Meeting characters from all cultures and hearing their life stories. I reckon everybody has at least one good story in them
Lastly, coffee or tea (or Kelpman)?
I'm a self admitted absolute coffee fiend. So unless the waves are pumping I always have a brew on (quite enjoying your cloud picker- henry blend right now..). If not I'm reaching for that Kelpman and blitzing up a smoothie forsure.
We’re currently running a competition to win yourself a Kelpman care pack which you can enter on our IG or alternatively find out more about the full range at the Kelpman website.