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Surf School History:
For nearly as long as Pacific Beach Surf Shop has been opened, curious surf enthusiasts have inquired about surf lessons. The inherent romance and adventure of surfing has always attracted a considerable consumer demand for surf lessons. In the past, this service was informal and patrons were referred to a surf shop employee or local in need of a little extra cash. Over time methods were shared and adopted to better teach surfing, but there was no formal service or curriculum.
In 1996, by popular demand Randy Strunk and Mark Fitzgerald created Pacific Beach Surf School. Fliers were printed and a formal curriculum was developed. Since then surfing has seen many changes. Today surfing is more accessible than ever. Now everyone is trying it; all ages, genders, and ethnicities.
Over the last ten years our curriculum has evolved as well. Each instructor and director has added their own touch. Pacific Beach Surf School would like to thank our instructors, our Surf School Director Deborah Hoyt, and our past directors, Mark Fitzgerald, Mari Fukushima, Colin Briers, and Bill Keys for their valuable contributions. Without these individuals we would not be what we are today. Thank you!
Surf Shop History:
Pacific Beach Surf Shop is the shop where surfing got its start in San Diego. The love affair with surfing and with this shop still lives on today. The store originated at 747 Pacific Beach Drive.
In 1959 the shop opened as Fun & Sun by the Main family. To this day former owner “Church” Main still comes into the store. A few years later his father sold the store to a family by the name of Kaputz. With the growing momentum of surfing, in 1962 the Kaputz family changed the name to Pacific Beach Surf Shop.
In 1967 Larry Gordon bought the store. With the popularity of G&S Surfboards and some of the biggest names in the surfing and skateboarding world the foundation was set. Bill Andrews guided the store through these years and Joe Roper opened his ding repair shop next door.
In the 1970’s and 1980’s surfing and the surfing market saw many changes; boards got shorter, more and more surf shops opened, and the classic PBSS logo was retired.
In 1992 Larry Gordon sold the shop. The new owner couldn’t make it and closed in 1993.
In 1994 brothers Randy & Jeff Struck opened the store on short notice as Aquarius Surf & Skate. One year later Randy & Larry Gordon were talking and Larry said he heard reports about the little store and asked if we would want to bring back Pacific Beach Surf Shop. Today “Pacific Beach Surf Shop” is the oldest surf shop in San Diego. The address remained the same since it opened it’s doors in 1959.
In 2001, the Blue Sea Lodge, Best Western, set forth to expand the hotel by 26 rooms and add a parking structure. Unfortunately, the plan included the demolition of our big, little shop at 747 Pacific Beach Drive and we lost our lease. We were very fortunate though. We found a much larger space available right next door in the Pacific Promenade. In May 2001, we opened our doors at 4150 Mission Blvd. Suite 161. Sadly, in November of 2001, it only took a matter of days for the historical 747 Pacific Beach Drive location to be destroyed. The memories and the stories can never be destroyed, they will live on forever.
> COME TAKE A LOOK AT THE SHOP HERE
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