About Us

Welcome to Surf Ohio
Born from the imagination of my dad, artist Ron Kaplan, during a legendary blizzard in 1978, Surf Ohio started as a simple t-shirt design poking fun at the idea of surfing in landlocked Ohio. It was satire with a side of stoke, but it caught a wave of its own. What started as a spoof turned into a brand that became part of growing up in Columbus, Athens, and beyond.

It Started with a Blizzard, a Concert, and a Wild Idea
Picture this: it’s 1976, and my dad is printing shirts in his parents' garage for a Beach Boys concert at Ohio State. The front of the shirts was pretty standard, but the back? That’s where the magic happened — he invented the “Olentangy Masters Surfing Classic.” It was a tongue-in-cheek tribute to real surf contests, except this one was set on the mighty (and definitely un-surfable) Olentangy River.

A couple years later, after surviving the infamous Blizzard of ‘78, my dad took that Olentangy idea to his t-shirt shop in Athens. He swapped the Olentangy for the local Hocking River, printed up some shirts, and Surf Ohio was officially born. The whole thing was meant to be a joke, but it hit harder than a set wave. By the time students were packing for spring break, they were lining up to buy Surf Ohio shirts to wear to Florida beaches, where they proudly explained the surf scene back home — with a straight face.

When Surf Ohio Went Big — And Got Even Bigger
Through the ‘80s, Surf Ohio blew up. The shirts weren’t just funny — they looked legit. Full-color surf art, the perfect mix of retro and rad, plus that unforgettable logo. The shirts made it to celebrities like Dennis Wilson, Ron Howard, even James Cameron who wore one on the set ofTerminator 2.

Then came the Surf Ohio Bash. If you were around in the 80s, you know. Thousands of people showed up to party at Buckeye Lake, Wyandot Lake, and wherever else they could find sand, sun, and a cold beer. There were live bands, bikini contests, and even a mechanical surfboard. The motto was simple: The Beach Is Where You Make It. And for Ohio, that was the truth.

The Crash and the Comeback
Every wave has a wipeout. In the late 80s, a corporate shakeup at Federated Department Stores (Lazarus) left my dad holding thousands of unsold shirts. Surf Ohio went quiet for a few years while he focused on new projects. But the story wasn’t over. In the early 2000s, a new generation discovered Surf Ohio — including me and my brother Alex.

With a little help from Homage, Surf Ohio returned. Retro designs flew off the shelves, and suddenly people who wore the shirts back in the day were buying them for their own kids. We even got to add our own spin, printing the shirts ourselves at our shops in Columbus.

A New Generation, Same Gnarly Spirit
Today, Surf Ohio is still family-owned and operated, with me (Zach) at the helm. We honor my dad’s original designs, but we’re also creating new gear for the next wave of Ohio surfers. Whether you were at the first Bash or you’re just discovering Surf Ohio, welcome to the family.

From the Desk of Ron Kaplan
Want to read the whole story, straight from the source? My dad wrote down the complete history of Surf Ohio — every wild idea, every blizzard, every concert, every prank, every party. It’s all there, and we’ve saved it for you [here].

Mahalo for 40+ years of love and laughs.
The beach is where you make it — and we’re stoked you’re here.

- Zach Traxler and the Surf Ohio Crew