Surf brands and logos are staking out their territory in every corner of our lives.
You can spot them in local surf shops, surfboards, magazines, vinyl car stickers, down the bustling city streets, and nestled among the labyrinth of aisles in your favorite shopping malls.
They cater to all your surf needs, offering everything from boardshorts and gear to wetsuits, apparel, footwear, watches, and beyond.
But who's behind what?
The origin of surf companies can be traced back to the early 20th century, a time when surf culture was just beginning to make its mark.
With the rising tide of surf mania sweeping across the globe, these pioneer brands sprang into existence, fueled by the desire to create products that mirrored the thrilling spirit of the surfer's lifestyle.
Quickly, surf company logos could be seen on the nose, deck, and rails of pro surfboards as part of sponsorship deals.
Surfing badges and insignia became representative symbols of the world's most famous surf brands, marketing tools, and trademarks that stand the test of time.
Today, surfing isn't just about hitting the waves on your board. It's also about embodying the distinctive style that's become synonymous with surf culture.
Spreading the Surfing Lifestyle
Surfers, competitive athletes, newbies (or "kooks" in surf lingo), and even those who've never tasted the salty sea spray - they all want to be part of the crew, rocking the surf look with pride.
Today, the influence of surf wear stretches far beyond the golden shores, winning over the hearts of both young and old, men and women alike.
If you thought surf brands just meant tees, flannels, shirts, hoodies, jackets, polos, tanks, pants, boardshorts, tops, and bikinis, think again.
The domain of surf wear covers about a quarter of the surf industry market, with footwear, accessories, and hard goods following closely behind.
In the sea of surf brands that currently exists - some with a global presence, boasting continental offices and flagship stores in key surf cities - new players are emerging all the time.
These rising stars bring fresh ideas, innovative designs, and sustainable solutions to the surf industry table.
Remember, though, not every brand rides the entire wave. In the surf world, sometimes finding your niche is critical to staying above water.
It's a demanding, ever-evolving industry with shifting trends and advancing technologies - staying afloat requires a substantial market presence.
Let's uncover the real-deal surf brands, categorizing them based on their specializations. Check the most famous surf company logos in the world:
Apparel & Wetsuits (Clothing, Swimwear, and Boardshorts)
Billabong
Body Glove
Captain Fin Co.
Catch Surf
Element
Fox
Hot Tuna
Hurley
Jetty
Jetty was founded in 2003 by five friends who saw a void in the market and a lack of brand voice that spoke to the attitude and vibe of surf culture on the East Coast.
While they grew up admiring and wearing all the West Coast-born legacy brands of the 1990s and 2000s, none of them spoke directly to their way of life.
In the northeast, they're not living an exotic and carefree lifestyle.
Their moments of perfection revolve around cold water, foul weather, and raw conditions. And they thrive in those elements.
Since 2003, the company has been privately and surfer-owned and operated.
It's sold in over 650 core surf retail and specialty locations around the US, Canada, the Caribbean, and Central America.
Jetty maintains strong roots in its NJ community and has been running surf contests and events for nearly two decades.
The brand's Chief Commercial Officer (CEO) and co-founder sits on the Surf Industry Members Association (SIMA) board of directors alongside other key executives in the industry.
Jetty is deeply involved in its community and has created a charitable foundation called Jetty Rock Foundation, which was instrumental in storm relief after Hurricane Sandy in 2012.
To date, the firm has donated over $2 million back to its community.
One of the brand's missions is oyster reef replenishment and recycling.
They sponsor East Coast legends like Randal Townsend (2023 New Jersey Surfing Hall of Fame) and Darren Muschette.
The company designs products in New Jersey for two seasons a year.
They also own and operate their own screen printing studio where they print our graphic tees.
In 2018, Jetty developed a unique textile technology called Oystex that combines oyster shells with recycled plastic bottles to create a unique quick-dry, anti-odor performance fabric we use in all of its boardshorts.
The East Coast surf brand is proud of the grassroots, core, high-quality surf brand they've built from scratch since 2003.
Because they're not located in the center of the surf universe in southern California, they're often overlooked, but that chip on the shoulder is what drives them.
Lightning Bolt
...Lost
Maui and Sons
O'Neill
Ocean Pacific
Outerknown
Oxbow
Patagonia
Foundation: 1973
Headquarters: Ventura, California
Established in 1973 by Yvon Chouinard, Patagonia is a certified B Corporation known for its outdoor clothing and is a pioneering member of 1% for the Planet.
The firm enjoys global recognition for its premium products, environmental advocacy, and its near $200 million in donations to green organizations.
The company's unique ownership framework demonstrates its commitment to the planet as its sole beneficiary: Any profits not funneled back into the business serve as dividends to safeguard the environment.
As a creator of high-quality gear and apparel for silent sports such as climbing, surfing, skiing, snowboarding, fly fishing, mountain biking, hiking, and trail running, Patagonia stands out in the market.
They produce robust, versatile clothing and equipment for outdoor activities and sports, designed to endure the test of time.
For those passionate about surfing, Patagonia offers wetsuits, swimsuits, boardshorts, sun protection ocean gear and apparel, travel and sportswear, as well as FCD surfboards.
Quiksilver
Rip Curl
Roxy
Rusty
RVCA
The Critical Slide Society
The Mad Hueys
Town & Country Surf Designs
Foundation: 1971
Headquarters: Honolulu, Hawaii
Back in 1971, a spark of genius ignited inside Craig Sugihara.
Turning a quaint old barbershop in Pearl City, Hawaii, into the founding location of Town & Country Surf Shop, his enthusiasm for surfing, and a modest $3,000 in his pocket, allowed him to transform his dream into an internationally renowned surf company.
Town & Country, fueled by passion, has ridden the waves to become a global icon in the surfing world.
Surfing wasn't just a hobby for Craig; it was a love affair.
Even though he wasn't a competitive surfer during his younger years, he recalls the exhilarating moment of riding his first wave with an excitement that's palpable even today.
From that day, he knew he was hooked for life, little realizing that his love for surfing would not just be a lifelong hobby but would shape his career, achievements, lifestyle, and even his personality.
In the sun-kissed 1960s, a young Craig would often rent surfboards from Captain Wata and other Waikiki Beach Boys at George Downing's rental stand.
For just a dollar a day, he enjoyed the waves and forged priceless connections with surfing legends like Rabbit Kekai, absorbing captivating stories about Duke Kahanamoku.
This rich surfing history and culture further fueled Craig's passion.
By 1963, he had worked tirelessly all summer to save enough to buy his first surfboard, a 9'4'' Hobie, which cost him $134.
But Craig was not just a surfer; he had an intense curiosity about the mechanics of the sport.
As his skills on the board improved, his fascination with the design of the surfboard and its impact on performance grew.
The allure of this mystery made him a frequent visitor to Surfboards Makaha, where he would watch Joe Kuala glossing and glassing boards and witness Sparky and Ben Aipa shaping them.
While attending college at the University of Hawaii, his mind buzzed with ideas about board design.
His silent dream was to work at Surfboards Makaha - a dream that remained unfulfilled.
However, this did not quench his enthusiasm for shaping.
Around this time, Craig breathed new life into a forgotten old surfboard, uncovering a pristine layer of white foam beneath the worn exterior.
The reborn board marked the start of something extraordinary.
Continuing on his journey, Craig made a second board from a blank purchased from Surfline Hawaii, which he shaped and laminated himself.
As luck would have it, Greg Noll Surfboards had just lost a laminator.
Encouraged by his friend Peter Banks, Craig showcased his work to the owner, Charlie Galanto.
Impressed, Charlie offered Craig a job after assessing his craftsmanship.
At Greg Noll Surfboards, Craig formed connections with many significant figures in the surf industry, such as Randy Rarick, the longtime surf promoter and Director of the Triple Crown of Surfing, and Makaha's ambassador of surfing, Buffalo Keaulana.
These relationships, along with surfing sessions, set the foundation for lifelong friendships.
Though his time at Greg Noll Surfboards was educational and memorable, Craig yearned to shape his own destiny.
His opportunity arrived when he was offered a position with Mystic Surfboards in Wai'anae.
With an easy decision to build complete boards and a vibrant surfing community, he began shaping boards for several local standouts.
But Craig's ambition was not satiated.
About a year later, he decided it was time to chart his own course and open his own shop.
With a passion that was immeasurable and capital that was finite, Craig launched his first shop in Pearl City in 1971.
Located along the Kamehameha Highway, the only access to the North Shore and its magnificent waves, the shop's name, Town & Country, reflected its strategic position between Oahu's two surfing hubs.
With quality boards and a strategic location, demand for Town & Country Surfboards grew rapidly.
Talented shapers like Glenn Minami and Barry Kanaiaupuni joined Craig's team to meet this demand.
The shop's logo, inspired by a t-shirt artist, embodied the essence of surfing - balance.
This principle of balance continues to define Town & Country's evolution, as it stands firm and rides the waves of the global surf industry.
VISSLA
Volcom
Xcel
Accessories (Watches, Eyewear, Wax)
Arnette
Bubble Gum
Electric
Famous Surf
Foundation: 2002
Headquarters: San Diego, California
Famous comes from humble beginnings with roots in Southern California and Hawaii.
It started with surf wax at its inception.
The original Famous Surf wax brand added talented pro surfers and tour veterans to the brand, from Timmy Curran and Kalani David to Dustin Barca and Jake Maki, all representing modern-day surf culture in the early 2000s.
As the brand grew internationally, traction, leashes, board bags, and other accessories were added to its collection.
After two decades, the brand remains one of the top surf wax brands in the world and is distributed in dozens of countries worldwide.
Famous has a collaboration with Waco Surf for surf pool wax, a new emerging category that the brand is looking to lead.
Nixon
Oakley
Mr. Zog's Sex Wax
Spy
Sticky Bumps
Vestal
Von Zipper
Footwear (Shoes, Sandals)
DC Shoes
DVS
Etnies
Globe
Gravis
Kustom
Reef
Sanuk
Vans
Hardgoods (Surfboards, Fins, Leashes, Boardbags)
Astrodeck
Creatures of Leisure
Dakine
FCS
Futures Fins
Gorilla
NSP
Foundation: 2001
Headquarters: Bangkok, Thailand
NSP's inception took place in 2001, springing from the far-sightedness of Bruce "Buzz" Hansen, a lifelong enthusiast of surfing, skating, and various water sports.
During his tenure as a surfboard maker in Maui, Buzz had a revelation about manufacturing affordable, versatile, robust, and high-performance surfboards.
He accurately perceived a demand among regular surfers for cost-effective boards suitable for Hawaiian conditions, which didn't need to be customized or made for competitive or extreme surfing.
His ambition was to create a practical surfboard that could be transported in a truck's rear to the beach, left under the sun all day, or loaned to friends without fear of getting damaged.
Yet, it had to perform well enough to be used by his longtime surfing companions, neighbors, and friends.
Thus, the quest began.
Buzz assembled his friends who worked at a top composites manufacturer to craft a lightweight, incredibly sturdy surfboard at affordable prices.
Collaboratively, they pioneered a novel epoxy technology, thereby transforming the industry and, arguably, recreational surfing.
Weekend and occasional surfers no longer had to settle for inferior "foamies" or the second-hand board market.
During the development phase, our initiative was codenamed "New Surf Project."
This name endured, and NSP was born.
Over time, the company and the name evolved. Today, NSP represents "Nature," "Surfing," and "Products," encapsulating the essence of the company.
NSP made its debut in the markets of Hawaii and Australia in 2002 and was met with instant acclaim, making the sport more accessible to all.
It continuously innovates excellent products, staying true to its surfing origins as the company ventures into other exciting water sports.
The brand engages the best designers, engineers, and materials, always prioritizing the use of reused, recycled, or renewable resources, reflecting our commitment to sustainability.
In 2007, NSP pioneered the production of SUPs, following the original brand philosophy of performance and value.
NSP, at present, is among the leading global brands in recreational surfing and stand-up paddle boards.
Each day, new enthusiasts, irrespective of age, introduce their friends and family to the exhilaration of the sport and the brand.
Since 2013, NSP has crafted some of the fastest SUP race boards globally, quickly amassing a collection of highly coveted and esteemed titles with the support of national and international athletes.
Ocean & Earth
