OUR STORY
From the rugged shores of Ireland's Aran Islands to the world of competitive rugby, Surge Recovery was born from a lifelong connection to the Atlantic, a passion for sport, and a belief in the potential of the sea.
I grew up on Inis Mór, the largest of the Aran Islands, off the west coast of Ireland.
Seaweed is part of everyday life on the island. For generations, it has been gathered from the shore and used on the land — a tradition that continues to this day.
Growing up surrounded by the Atlantic, I learned early that the ocean had something valuable to offer. I just didn't know how important that connection would become.
Rugby took me a long way from home.
I earned a bachelor's degree in Marine Engineering and a master's degree in Marine Resources Management from Texas A&M University at Galveston before going on to play nine seasons of professional rugby in Major League Rugby.
Over my career, I represented Old Glory DC, NOLA Gold, San Diego Legion, Utah Warriors, and Houston SaberCats, making 99 league appearances and earning 39 caps for the USA Eagles.
Professional rugby taught me a lot about preparation, discipline, and the demands of an active lifestyle.
And for nine seasons, every match began the same way: getting warm, getting loose, and getting ready to play.
After rugby, I found my way back to the ocean.
I began harvesting Ascophyllum nodosum along the rugged coastline of Maine, the same species of North Atlantic seaweed I grew up around on the Aran Islands.
Harvesting seaweed is hard, physical work, but it brought me back to my roots and renewed my appreciation for the natural resources of the Atlantic.
The more time I spent working with seaweed, the more I wanted to explore its potential. I knew there was an opportunity to create something valuable from what I was harvesting, rather than simply selling it on.
That curiosity eventually led me in an unexpected direction — skincare.
While working with a cosmetic formulator, I saw an opportunity to combine my connection to the ocean with my experience as a professional rugby player.
Throughout my rugby career, I never wanted to simply be a professional athlete. I wanted to be the best I could possibly be. That ambition shaped the way I trained, prepared, and approached every challenge.
I bring that same mindset to SAOIRSE.
With SAOIRSE, my goal is to create a powerful seaweed-based warming cream that stands apart, not just for what's in it, but for the thought and care behind it. That means finding the right balance of ingredients, performance, and feel to create a product I can genuinely stand behind.
SAOIRSE (pronounced SEER-sha) is the Irish word for freedom. To me, it represents the freedom to pursue your goals, push your limits, and prepare to perform at your best.
SAOIRSE is more than a product to me. It's a new challenge, driven by the same determination that carried me through my rugby career.
Saoirse is only the beginning of the Surge Recovery journey.
My vision is to continue developing products inspired by the ocean, combining the natural qualities of seaweed with my experience in professional sport.
Two more products are already in development: Faoiseamh, a cooling spray designed for after training, and Dúlamán, a seaweed bath soak created for rest days and relaxation.
As Surge Recovery grows, my commitment remains the same: creating thoughtful, high-quality products rooted in nature, made for people who live active lives.
Thank you for being part of the journey. We're only getting started.
Paul Mullen
Founder, Surge Recovery