Independent surf shops are riding the wave of resurgence as corporate closures disrupt the surf industry. The recent Chapter 11 bankruptcy of Liberated Brands has sent shockwaves through the community, shutting down numerous corporate-owned surf shops, including the iconic Becker Surfboards located in Malibu.
Becker Surfboards, established back in 1980, has long been considered more than just a place to rent boards or buy gear—it’s been a quintessential part of the California surf experience. Legendary founder Phil Becker, who passed away earlier this year at the age of 81, transformed the Rick Surfboards factory with partners Steve Mangiagli and Dave Hollander. The shop became synonymous with local surfing culture.
The surf shop saw significant changes when it was acquired by Billabong, which aimed to expand its retail footprint. This merger eventually led Becker Surfboards to be incorporated under the Boardriders conglomerate alongside brands like Quiksilver, Roxy, and Volcom. After multiple ownership changes, the brand’s fate took another turn when Authentic Brands Group acquired Boardriders and, soon after, licensed the companies to Liberated Brands. Now, as Liberated Brands faces bankruptcy, classic shops like Becker are forced to shut their doors.
The closures, though disheartening, have opened the door for resurgence within the independent surf shop arena. New opportunities are on the horizon as individuals who have lost jobs at corporate stores seek to reinvent the retail surf scene. Mitch Taylor, the manager of Becker Surfboards, is taking this opportunity to start his own independent shop. He believes strongly in the return to grass-roots surfing culture.
"The trend is to return back to independent surf shops, and so I am reopening my own shop which will be in a smaller space," Taylor shared with the Malibu Times as he reflects on his nearly three-decade-long career at Becker’s. Taylor’s statement embodies the shift many local surfers feel, reminiscent of the 1970s and '80s, when corporate entities weren’t appealing to the surfing community.
Surfers are drawn to the idea of supporting small, community-focused businesses. Taylor’s heartfelt connection with his job over the years has only solidified his desire to stay connected with the community and provide services to fellow surfers.
"This is the only job I have really liked. I woke up every day for 31 years, and I was excited to talk to people in our community," he reminisced, showcasing his passion for surfing and his role as part of the local surf shop fabric.
The rise of independent surf shops is more than just nostalgia; it’s about re-establishing connections within the local scene. Higher participation rates among surfers across the nation indicate there is no shortage of customers. Becker Surfboards' history indicates just how integral these shops are to surf identity and culture, offering not just equipment, but also community, expertise, and camaraderie.
According to Mitch Taylor, the strength and security embodied by small, independent businesses is what makes them uniquely positioned to thrive. "There’s strength and security in being a small, independent business. The sport and lifestyle of surfing certainly isn’t suffering from a participation issue. More folks than ever have taken to the water. The customers are there, the doors just have to be opened," he asserts.
For decades, surf shops have been the temples of stoke where surfers gather to share stories, swap tales of epic waves, and learn from seasoned enthusiasts. They offer more than products; they provide spaces for inspiration and community-building centered on the joy of surfing.
With the corporate structures waning, independent surf shops might reclaim this sacred space. The transition back to these roots often reflects broader cultural shifts. They're seen as authentic havens where the surf culture can thrive away from large, faceless corporations.
While building a business from the ground up can be quite challenging—especially amid such turbulent times—the impulse to create independent surf shops is fueled by community desire for more local engagement and authentic experiences. Taylor's upcoming venture stands as a beacon for the old-school surf ethos—a lifeline for those yearning to recapture the authenticity of surfing culture.
Thanks to passionate individuals like Mitch Taylor and others who dare to dream of opening independent shops, the tradition of surf shops can hopefully continue well beyond the 21st Century. The tide, after all, is always changing, and for those willing to put their hearts back where they belong—in surfing's local community—opportunities abound.