In 1952 Jack O’Neill invented the wetsuit vest to pacify the cold waters of Santa Cruz, California. Over fifty years later I met up with his son, Pat O’Neill, CEO of O’Neill Wetsuits, the most revolutionary business in surfing. The following article is taken from a number of conversations in California last year; notably upon the family boat, and cruising in Pat’s Porsche.
Initially in the UK hardy, crazy folk braved our waters in the summer, but today wetsuits facilitate more than 500,000 surfers. Short boards were a revolution, but wetsuits provoked a global explosion firmly placing surfing on the map.
Initially Jack experimented with plastics he’d found during his time in the Army Air Corp, but when he discovered neoprene, lining the floor of a passenger plane, he knew he had something. Friends laughed, saying business would be short lived once all the local surfers owned a wetsuit. Jack however forged on, and within months set up the first ‘surf shop’. Pat explained Jack had the whole family involved from the beginning, ‘he placed us in a paddling pool filled with blocks of ice at a San Francisco boat fair, it was freezing.’ But as the family grew up, technology progressed, business boomed, and the wetsuit spread worldwide. Having been involved with ‘Team O’Neill’ for years, Pat flourished when he took over in 1985. Raised on ‘Beaver Tail wetsuits and purple feet,’ Pat himself is very low key, plus shy to mention he was one of the pioneers of leashes. His kind, jovial manner is endearing, but camouflages a dry intelligent wit.
Initially in the UK hardy, crazy folk braved our waters in the summer, but today wetsuits facilitate more than 500,000 surfers. Short boards were a revolution, but wetsuits provoked a global explosion firmly placing surfing on the map.
Initially Jack experimented with plastics he’d found during his time in the Army Air Corp, but when he discovered neoprene, lining the floor of a passenger plane, he knew he had something. Friends laughed, saying business would be short lived once all the local surfers owned a wetsuit. Jack however forged on, and within months set up the first ‘surf shop’. Pat explained Jack had the whole family involved from the beginning, ‘he placed us in a paddling pool filled with blocks of ice at a San Francisco boat fair, it was freezing.’ But as the family grew up, technology progressed, business boomed, and the wetsuit spread worldwide. Having been involved with ‘Team O’Neill’ for years, Pat flourished when he took over in 1985. Raised on ‘Beaver Tail wetsuits and purple feet,’ Pat himself is very low key, plus shy to mention he was one of the pioneers of leashes. His kind, jovial manner is endearing, but camouflages a dry intelligent wit.
For me the O’Neill name was as much part of Santa Cruz as the infamous Steamer lane, and the proud seals guarding its cliffs. With the early stores still operating, O’Neill clothing is worn with the pride of a football jersey. Whilst we watched the surf, countless surfers and locals approached Pat, all proud to shake his hand. It sounds corny, but I realised at this point that for Pat, ‘O’Neill’ is more than a family name or a business – surfing is his life.
Cruising down the Pacific highway we chatted about Bush, Blair, and business. To beat the traffic we detoured by Pat’s old neighbourhood, which triggered a nostalgic conversation. Pat’s old school reminded me of the ‘wonder years’ TV show, whilst he told me he went to the university of life. Family seemed key back then for the O’Neills’ as it is today. Early surf sessions, and the opening of the iconic 41st street store made me envious.
Today O’Neill wetsuits spend millions on R&D, keeping the surfing world warmer. So I asked Pat if there is anything left he wishes to achieve. ‘Home is Santa Cruz,’ he answers, ‘but a place in Maui and maybe one in Avalon would be nice wouldn’t it?’ From the glint in his eye I admire his modesty. Pulling into the marina Pat told me he’s confident Santa Cruz will launch a world champion in the next ten years. With such good pedigree, I’ve no doubt they will.
Cruising down the Pacific highway we chatted about Bush, Blair, and business. To beat the traffic we detoured by Pat’s old neighbourhood, which triggered a nostalgic conversation. Pat’s old school reminded me of the ‘wonder years’ TV show, whilst he told me he went to the university of life. Family seemed key back then for the O’Neills’ as it is today. Early surf sessions, and the opening of the iconic 41st street store made me envious.
Today O’Neill wetsuits spend millions on R&D, keeping the surfing world warmer. So I asked Pat if there is anything left he wishes to achieve. ‘Home is Santa Cruz,’ he answers, ‘but a place in Maui and maybe one in Avalon would be nice wouldn’t it?’ From the glint in his eye I admire his modesty. Pulling into the marina Pat told me he’s confident Santa Cruz will launch a world champion in the next ten years. With such good pedigree, I’ve no doubt they will.
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