top of page
The First Surf Shop
jack O'Neill opens the first surf store in 1952 off the coast off the Great Highway, San Francisco. He later invents the neoprene wetsuit through experimentation with WII diving vests and an entire industry is born.
Moves To Santa Cruz
The O'Neill brand moves from San Francisco to Santa Cruz and goes full force into the wetsuit business, expanding the line to feature different styles and women's fits.
The Supersuit Wetsuit
O'Neill experiments more with the Supersuit westuit and surf leash. Both take hold and push the boundaries of innovation within the surf and diving communities.
The Surf Bootie and Rash Guard
The split-toe bootie allows for a more natural feel on the board, becoming a standard design that would be copied for decades to follow. The invention of the rash guard becomes just as prominent.
The Animal Wetsuit
With wetsuit durability and comfort being a primary focus, O'Neill uses the best available materials to create the animal wetsuit. It's the first suit to feature knee pads, a key design aspect that eventually expands into every model.
Hybrids and Superfreak Boardshorts
O'Neill hybrid shorts are released, creating a walkshort that is comfortable on land as in the water. Superfreak Series boardshorts push the boundaries of stretch fabrication with the addition of a neoprene panel, allowing surfers more freedom of movement than ever before.
Hybrids and Superfreak Boardshorts
O'Neill hybrid shorts are released, creating a walkshort that is comfortable on land as in the water. Superfreak Series boardshorts push the boundaries of stretch fabrication with the addition of a neoprene panel, allowing surfers more freedom of movement than ever before.
bottom of page