Shop Profile – Aqua Surf Shop

NCS:  How did Aqua Surf Shop start?
AQUA: My friend Tony Canadas opened up Aquaholics, which became the present day Aqua. I (Aleks Petrovitch) have worked in surf shops off & on my whole working life, so often I came in to help Tony run the shop when he would take off on adventures. Eventually Tony wanted to work on other projects, and grew a little tired of retail (it is not the most exciting thing in the world). I have a knack for it and love surfboards, so Tony asked me if I wanted to take over the shop. It took a little while but along with the help of my friend Devin Dargell, we did.

What's the cure for Aquaholics...

Ladera Skateboards

In 2000, Ladera Skateboards began as an experiment in a high school wood shop class. With nothing more than a rusty jigsaw, a sheet of plywood and a passion for skating, they developed a skateboard that was vastly different from the cookie-cutter decks available at the local skate shops. Adorned with hand-painted art and a shape that merged style with function, the first Ladera skateboard captured an element of individuality and expressiveness that would eventually define the company in its entirety.

Ladera Skateboards is much more than a brand. It’s a tight-knit crew of local skaters from Santa Cruz, California who’ve formed an alliance based on countless skate sessions and endless good times. Over the years, the Ladera Skateboard crew’s grassroots efforts, guerrilla marketing tactics and unique image have helped to build name and increase brand awareness.
Get the low down on Ladera Longboards

Go Green with Smart Girls Who Surf

9 Questions with Jennifer Taylor, President of “Smart Girls Who Surf”

Being in the sun isn’t just about having fun — it’s about being safe, smart and protected. As beneficial as Vitamin D is for our skin, it’s even more important to keep our skin well hydrated while blocking the most harmful UVA and UVB rays. Smart Girls Who Surf and Surf-Vival know exactly how important this is to men, women, children, and families, so they created a premium line of earth-friendly sunscreens and products that protect the environment without using toxic chemicals or synthetic preservatives. Staying safe while playing in the sun has never been so fun — and easy!
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Shop Profile – Prooflab

Prooflab, located in Mill Valley, CA, started in 2004 by Northern California ripper Nathan McCarthy. Prooflab provides a wide array of surf and skate products such as Cole, Stretch, Simon, Estrada, Channel Islands, JS, Chilli, Lost, Noe, Mark Richards, Firewire and Xanadu.  It is a unique shop because they carry surfboards from around the world but if you would like a local shaper, Pat Judah will shape a board for you in their shaping room in the back of the shop.
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Company Profile – SPL Water Housings

NCS: Take us back to 1996 when it all started.
SPL: In the beginning I was alone building housings in my house on living room coffee table and glassing in my bathroom which was 3ft by 5ft. I started making housings because I did not want to buy one. I made a few for myself then for friends. Didn’t make much of it. Just had fun at it and gave me something to keep me busy. Back then I tried it all different ways with just clear acrylic, then with fiberglass, way too much work with sanding, the smell, the mess and it is very bad for the environment.
SPL Waterhousings - Hand crafted in the USA...