Meet Swoop: The Mascot Behind the Mission

Meet Swoop: The Mascot Behind the Mission

There’s a new face on the Gulf Coast Tees website and he’s here to represent more than just style. Meet Swoop, our official pelican mascot.

Swoop isn’t just a character. He was inspired by real memories from family vacations to Fort Myers Beach. I’m Jonathan Schaffer, founder of Gulf Coast Tees, and before this brand ever existed, my family and I made regular trips down to the coast. One of my dad’s favorite things to do was sit back and watch the pelicans. He loved how they would soar overhead, glide along the shoreline, then dive into the water with purpose. It was something so simple, yet it always made us pause and enjoy the moment.

That image of the pelican in flight became something I carried with me. When it came time to build Gulf Coast Tees, I wanted a symbol that represented those early memories. The beach. The water. The community. The care we feel for this place. That’s where Swoop comes in.

Swoop carries two tools. A trash grabber, to reflect our mission of keeping the coast clean. And a screen printing squeegee, which represents our commitment to creating high-quality apparel by hand in Cape Coral, Florida.

The first design featuring Swoop is now live on the GCT Swoop’s Classic Tee. It captures the Gulf Coast pride we stand for and the lifestyle we’re proud to promote.

Whether you’re a lifelong local, a visitor who fell in love with the beach, or someone who just gets the vibe, Swoop is here to welcome you to the crew.

Shop the Swoop Collection
👉 Swoop's Collection

Thank you for being part of the Gulf Coast Tees story. We’re just getting started.

— Jonathan Schaffer
Founder, Gulf Coast Tees