As Whalebone heads north to Newport, it only makes sense to kick off our ROOTS series with two true Aquidneck Island natives. Longtime friends of the brand, Alie and Liza Toppa are identical twins from Newport, Rhode Island—hard to miss, and proud to be misfits by choice. Born and raised on Aquidneck Island, the girls grew up surrounded by salt, sea, and a strong sense of community.
Alie and Liza have been sailing Optis since they were six years old, following in the wake of their father, Mike Toppa—a former America’s Cup racer—and honoring the legacy of their grandfather, the late John Toppa, one of Rhode Island’s most winning high school football coaches and a legend at Rogers High.
When they’re not chasing waves or wind, the Toppa sisters are making their mark as young entrepreneurs. From launching Missfits, their sustainable wetsuit line, to helping run the family’s oyster shucking business, Blondies, they stay deeply connected to the Newport community. Alie and Liza Toppa represent what it means to be rooted in place and purpose—Newport locals living with intention, and redefining what it means to be island-grown.
