About Us
Our brand was born from the ocean, coastline, and mountains of Santa Cruz, Northern California. For over seven decades, we’ve been uncovering and innovating playing fields in the world of surf and snow, making them accessible to all.
“I just wanted to surf longer.” - Jack O'Neill
Jack O'Neill’s pioneering spirit, love for nature, and simple desire to surf longer led to the world’s first surf wetsuit and surf shop—and like that O'Neill was founded. Discover how we carved our own path and changed the industry.
The First Surf Shop
Jack O’Neill opens the first surf shop in 1952 off The Great Highway, San Francisco. He later invents the neoprene wetsuit through experimentation with WWII diving vests. 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 a women’s fit.
The Supersuit Wetsuit
O’Neill begins experimenting with the Supersuit wetsuit and surf leash. Both take hold and push the boundaries of innovation within the surf and diving communities.
The Surf Bootie & Rash Guard
The split-toe surf 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, allowing for a more comfortable surf experience.
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 is the first to feature knee pads, a key design aspect that eventually expands to every model.
Hybrids & Superfreak Boardshorts
O’Neill Hybrid shorts are released, creating a walkshort that is as 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.
The Hyperfreak Series
O’Neill releases the Hyperfreak Series wetsuit featuring Technobutter neoprene, the lightest and most flexible material on the market. The Hyperfreak Hydro featuring the “No Tie Fly” closure system changes the game in boardshort design, maximising comfort and security in the water.
The Hyperfreak Fire Series & TB4
O’Neill introduces the award-winning Hyperfreak Fire Series wetsuit powered by TB4, the next evolution of Technobutter neoprene, utilising recycled yarns infused with graphene for increased wear strength, unrivalled flexibility and heat retention.