Photographer and Designer Kristi Martin Cowden Selected for Launch of Surf Expo’s Tidal Reach Creator Initiative

ORLANDO, FL — September 2026

Photographer, designer, and content creator Kristi Martin Cowden (@swellkristi), was selected for the inaugural cohort of Tidal Reach, Surf Expo’s premier creator initiative powered by Popfly.

Launched at the largest surf trade show in the United States, the invitation-only program brought a curated group of creators with a combined reach of more than 6 million onto the show floor at Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center. Together, they gave audiences a closer look at the brands, products, people, and ideas shaping the watersports and coastal lifestyle industries.

Throughout the show, Surf Expo introduced the Popfly creators over its loudspeaker, while exhibitors sought them out for coverage. Cowden captured the event from her perspective as both a photographer and a designer, focusing on product details, thoughtful booth presentation, brand stories, and the energy of the people behind them.

“Being selected for the Tidal Reach launch allowed me to bridge the gap between raw coastal energy and commercial brand storytelling,” says Cowden. “Surf Expo is the epicenter of this industry. Capturing the intentionality behind these brands, from product textures to presentation, is exactly where my creative work thrives.”

Following the successful execution of the September preview, Cowden has been invited to continue her official creator coverage for the full, expanded rollout of the Tidal Reach program at Surf Expo in January 2027.

To view the exclusive Surf Expo commercial gallery, video recaps, or to explore creative brand partnerships, visit @swellkristi on Instagram.

Surf Expo Tidal Reach 2026