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Launched in Spring 2023, Friday Harbour Lifestyle Co. is the result of Heather Cavill’s quest for a super soft, compact beach towel. As a mother of four kids who frequently visits the beach and pool, Cavill was tired of lugging around bulky towels that maxed out her carrying around capacity, and stayed wet for too long.

“When they get wet they’re so heavy and don’t dry very fast,” she says. “I was looking for something smaller and more compact.” 

Her hunt for a compact towel proved harder than anticipated, says Cavill. The small towels she found weren’t overly soft to the touch or big enough to wrap around herself or her kids (the young ones and the teenagers) when they got out of the pool or ocean.

“I love a good Turkish towel, but don’t find them very soft and one of my kids has eczema, so when he’s wet and cold and has salt water on his skin I wanted something fast drying,” she adds.

The search for a better towel

 The first step in Cavill’s journey toward finding a better towel started with researching different fabrics. She settled on an “especially soft bamboo fabric” that is anti-bacterial, meaning no smell when they’ve had good use at the beach or in the bathroom, she says.

 From there is was onto fabricating. “I have a history of sewing,” she explains. “My mum taught me to sew when I was little and I thought I’ll just make my own towels. So I started making these bamboo hooded towels for my kids and made some oversized ones for my teenagers and myself.”

 As to the design, Cavill came up with a design that rolls up small, and it didn’t take long until people noticed. “I had people approach me on the beach and ask where I got them and I said, ‘I sewed them myself’,” she says.

And so she started sewing some for her friends, and Friday Harbour Lifestyle Co. was born.

Commitment to quality and local production 

Cavill says she definitely wants a brand that is known for long-lasting, good quality products.

All her towels are made in Canada, she sews all the prototypes herself and works alongside other seamstresses in B.C. The company has engaged Emily Carr students and people who like to work from home to help with sewing, and is sympathetic to those who have kids and might want that flexibility.

Ethical sourcing and expanding their range 

Friday Harbour currently sources the raw fabrics for their products from overseas, says Cavill. She adds that they choose certified organic, chemical-free fabrics made by people who are paid a living wage.

Along with towels, the company produces kids ponchos, candles, hand-painted oyster shell trinket dishes, a Harbour Blanket (made with a tight knit so the sand doesn’t get in when used at the beach) and a talc-free, biodegradable, sand removing powder.

“This is an organic powder made from tapioca starch, kale and clay, and other things,” Cavill says. “It breaks down the barrier between your skin and sand.”

Growing their distribution and retailer network

 Right now Friday Harbour products are available online (www.fridayharbourco.com) and at Ma Maison in Tsawwassen.

“We’re in the beginning stage of getting larger, local distributors,” she adds.

Favourite Vancouver beach?

 Cavill and her family live in South Vancouver. She says she’s a city girl at heart so loves to go to Kitsilano, but her kids really like Vancouver’s South side Delta beaches, as well as ones on Vancouver Island.

 “My daughter lives on Vancouver Island so we’re out there a lot,” says Cavill, adding they’re also become big fans of the Gulf Islands.

 “We’re trying to stay local for our weekend trips, the communities are so fantastic,” she says.