Surf N' Wear Online
Surf n’ Wear’s Beach House History
A History of Surf n' Wear's Beach House from the Early Days of Surf n' Wear and White Owl Surfboards In 1961 Jeff White and Brian Bradley opened the Owl Surf Shop in Summerland, California, at 2320 Lillie Ave, next store to the Yater Surf Shop to the present-day shop on State St. in downtown Santa Barbara.
Learn more
The Shortboard Revolution: A Turning Point in Santa Barbara Surfing History
The shortboard revolution of the late 1960s was a landmark period in the evolution of surfing. Santa Barbara played a pivotal role in shaping this transformative era as a hub of design innovations that characterized the shortboard revolution and ushered in a new global notoriety for Santa Barbara surf spots like Rincon, as well as for the pro surfers pushing uncharted boundaries in the sport on some of the local area’s most famous waves. The Santa Barbara Surfing Connection During the late 1960s, Santa Barbara became a breeding ground for innovation and experimentation in surfboard design. In the mid-1960s, local surfer George Greenough gained notoriety surfing short kneeboards that enabled him to do top-to-bottom surfing, which got surfers aspiring to do the same, but standing up on the board. In 1964, Greenough visited Australia for the first time, where he encountered surfboard shaper Bob McTavish, who was intrigued with the abilities of Greenough's kneeboard with a new type of fin. Back in Santa Barbara, Greenough continued to experiment with his friend, local shaper John Eichert of Ike Surfboards. Greenough shaped his first kneeboards at Ike's surfboard shop at 24 East Cota St. in Santa Barbara. During this period, Greenough and Ike continued to experiment with this new type of fin, shaped like a tuna fin. Ike and Greenough tested the new fin styles with a variety of boards to find a solution that would allow the type of surfing they were trying to achieve. In 1966, Australian surfer Nat Young won the World Surfing Championship in San Diego riding a 9'4" board outfitted with one of Greenough's tuna-shaped fins, which allowed him to achieve sharper turns. 1963 Greenough Spoon Kneeboards In 1968, McTavish visited Santa Barbara and stayed for the winter. Greenough, Renny Yater, and McTavish spent the time shaping boards, testing them out, and figuring out which designs worked best in a season of epic Rincon Point swells. These local pioneers pushed the boundaries of traditional longboard design and effectively ushered in the shortboard revolution, along with 1960s local shapers Tom Roland, Brian Bradley, Tom Hale, and John Thurston. In one year's time from 1967 to 1968 boards shifted from an average of 9'6" length and weight of 26 pounds to an average length of 6'6" and 10 pound weight. These collaborations and progressive ideas led to the development of shorter, more maneuverable surfboards that would forever change the sport. Catalyzing Change in Surfing Culture The shortboard revolution in Santa Barbara had a profound impact on surfing culture. The shift from cumbersome longboards to shorter, lighter boards ignited a new era of high-performance surfing. Local Santa Barbara pro surfers, such as Tom Curren and Kim Mearig embraced the agility and responsiveness of shortboards, showcasing innovative maneuvers and redefining the possibilities of wave riding. Their influential performances inspired a generation of surfers and contributed to Santa Barbara's reputation as a hotbed of progressive surfing. 1974 Channel Islands board, shaped by Al Merrick, glassed by Marc Andreini Surfboard Design Innovations and Breakthroughs Santa Barbara surfboard shapers and their team riders played a vital role in pioneering significant surfboard design innovations that are the hallmarks of the shortboard revolution. Santa Barbara's influence in shaping the design elements of shorter boards included reduced length, increased rocker, and refined outlines. Local Santa Barbara surfboard shapers such as Al Merrick, founder of Channel Islands Surfboards, and Marc Andreini of Owl Surfboards took design advancements of the shortboard revolution to the next level. Next generation local shapers the likes of Matt Moore, Bob Duncan, Bob Krause, Bruce Fowler, John Bradbury, Dave Johnson, David Pu'u, Rich Reed, Clyde Beatty Jr., Randy Cone, John Perry, Steve Brom, Allan Gibbons, Davey Smith, Wayne Rich, Michael Cundith, and Allan Freeman, among others, accelerated the shaping breakthroughs that were crucial in unlocking the full potential of shortboards and revolutionizing the way surfers approached waves in the 1970s and early 1980s. Tom Curren riding a CI board in Ventura, 1980s. Photo Credit Jimmy Metyko The Enduring Legacy in Santa Barbara Surfing The shortboard revolution in Santa Barbara left an indelible mark on surfing, not only in the region but globally. The innovations and performance capabilities pioneered during this era continue to influence contemporary surfboard design and shape the future of the sport. Santa Barbara's surfing community remains a vibrant hub of talent and creativity, continuously pushing the realities of what is possible in wave riding. The enduring legacy of the shortboard revolution in Santa Barbara serves as a testament to the area's ongoing influence and contributions to the evolution of surfing. SB-raised surfboard shaper Pyzel short boards in Beach House showroom A Living Surfing Legacy Santa Barbara's profound impact on the shortboard revolution solidified its place in surfing history. The collaborative surf culture spirit, shapers’ innovative designs, and influential surfers from this coastal region continue to inspire and shape the sport, leaving an enduring legacy for generations of surfers to come. Come on down to the Beach House boardroom to check out our vintage board collection, which includes some of the most iconic boards of the shortboard revolution!
Learn more
Al Merrick and Channel Islands Surfboards
Al Merrick is a renowned surfboard shaper from Santa Barbara. Merrick’s Channel Islands surfboard shop was at the forefront of revolutionary advances in the sport of surfing during the 1980s.
Learn more
Marc Andreini and the Evolution of Surfboard Shaping in Santa Barbara
Marc Andreini is a renowned Santa Barbara surfboard shaper who has been creating boards locally for over five decades. His designs are known for their unique shapes, high-performance capabilities, and innovative construction techniques.
Learn more
Riding the Waves with Tom Curren, Santa Barbara Surfing Legend
Tom Curren is a legendary pro surfer from Santa Barbara, California. He is widely regarded as one of the most innovative and stylish surfers of all time. His contributions to the sport have had a lasting impact on surfing around the world. Curren has won three world championships (1985, 1986, 1990).
Learn more
Kim Mearig: Santa Barbara Surfing World Champion
1983 World champion female surfer Kim Mearig grew up surfing Rincon, riding boards shaped by local Santa Barbara shaper Al Merrick, and surfing alongside Tom Curren. Mearig was recognized as a graceful regular-foot surfer.
Learn more
Ike Surfboards Shaper John Eichert
John Eichert and the History of Ike Surfboards John Eichert of Ike Surfboards is a renowned surfboard shaper who has spent his life riding waves and shaping boards. Born and raised in Montecito, California, John developed a passion for surfing at a young age and quickly became enamored with the art of board shaping.
Learn more
Renny Yater and Santa Barbara Surf Shop
Reynolds “Renny Yater” was one of the most important surfboard shapers of the 20th century. Born in 1932 in Los Angeles, Yater grew up surfing the waves of Southern California and was a pioneer of big-wave surfing. He eventually moved to Santa Barbara and established Yater Surboards and Santa Barbara Surf Shop
Learn more
Beach House Store Review & Write-up in National Geographic
The legendary Surf-n-Wear’s Beach House is crammed with surf fashions and surfboards, most notably those by Yater, the Santa Barbara-based company known for their classic longboards (one of which played a part in the surfing scene in the film Apocalypse Now). Located near the beach, Surf-n-Wear is just one of the many shops, restaurants, and cafés on and around State Street, which contributing editor Andrew Nelson visits in the July/August 2008 issue of National Geographic Traveler. “Santa Barbara is the perfect city to explore on foot,” writes Nelson. “State Street is the city’s Fifth Avenue, but veer onto the side streets and you’ll discover a Santa Barbara the locals know.” For a view of Santa Barbara from a walker’s vantage point, read “On Foot” in the July/August 2008 issue of National Geographic Traveler.
Learn more