Please follow us!   Our Sponsors More Sponsors Home l Privacy l Town and Country, Leader in Hawaii's Surfing Culture "Live Like This" Surfing is a very popular sport all over the world but especially here in Hawaii. The kids here begin to surf at a very young age and continue to enjoy it no matter how old they get. Surfing is good for the body and for the soul. I have never seen an overweight surfer, have you? I am guilty for never having tried the sport. I am hoping to try it some day soon. Lately I have noticed a lot of people taking up stand up paddle surfing. Maybe I should attempt that. Surfboards According to historical documents, surfing was an important part of ancient Polynesian culture. The Polynesian chiefs demonstrated their authority by the skills they displayed riding the waves. The chiefs had the best boards made from the best trees. And the commoners were not allowed to surf on the same beaches as the chiefs. But if the commoners were good surfers, it was considered very prestigious. This is so interesting because the surfing culture has definitely changed. Anybody can surf now. And even those who do not surf can be part of the surfing culture through its fashion. I am not going to try to explain what surfing is all about because I am totally clueless about that. But I do know a thing or two about the surfing fashion culture. The sport of surfing has produced a multi-billion dollar industry in the clothing and fashion markets. T-shirts, boardshorts, ladies' and men's casual wear, slippers (fancy kind and rubbah slippahs)…and the list goes on and on. People here in Hawaii wear surfing fashion all year round. It is fun and affordable. I know that there are those who say wearing slippers all the time make your feet wide (luau feet) but it's hard not to wear them in Hawaii. Let's Talk Story about a Hawaii boy and his company, a leader in the surfing culture not only here in Hawaii but throughout the world. I am speaking of Craig Sugihara and Town and Country Surf Hawaii, better known as T&C. T&C is a world reknown manufacturer of surfboards and surf wear. Humble beginnings…Craig founded his first store in 1971 in Pearl City with only $3,000. His passion was not only for surfing but also for the dynamics of surfboard design. The company is famous globally and now has retail shops not only in Hawaii but in Japan, Australia and New Zealand. Wow. TC entrance Stand up paddle boards and skateboards Boogie boards Slippers and backpacks Skateboards surfboard covers 3DYELLOW So how did he come up with his company name? It has been said that the location of the first T&C, Pearl City on Kamehameha Hwy, was the only road at that time that led to the surfing mecca, North Shore. The name represented the shop's position between the two epicenters of surfing in Oahu-Town and Country. Neat. And what about T&C's famous logo? "Balance" is considered the most important application in surfing. Therefore, the yin and yang logo design. Genius. I checked T&C's website and there is much there to learn about surfing history and technology. I want to share Craig's goal word for word. "We're here to share and perpetuate the stoke and aloha of the Hawaiian surfing lifestyle. To create the highest performance custom surfboards, using superior materials, utilizing the best craftsmen with the most advanced design concepts, to enhance the global surfing experience. Our goal is to build a team that represents the essence of Hawaiian surfing-commitment, power, style and respect. Unparalleled selection of apparel and hard good, supported by the highest level of customer service." Lots of　neat　apparel Tshirts And thus with the support of his wife Linda, his children and his T&C Ohana, Craig continues to produce new and innovative surfing products for the people of Hawaii and our visitors. He still has time to surf, I saw a snapshot of him on Guy Hagi's Severe Weather Station KGMB9 Evening News just the other evening. When I asked Andy, the manager of their Ward Warehouse store who is also a surfer and shaper, about the share of surfboards and apparel sold at T&C, he replied that it depends on the store and the type of customers. Ala Moana and Waikiki get a lot of visitors who may buy more surfboards especially during the summer months. But he also mentioned that the surfboard industry is very competitive now so perhaps T&C sells more fashion products. Popular　Tshirt　Foo　Dog I also asked what T-shirt design is selling the most now. He introduced me to two, the foo dog (it looks like part Chinese dragon and dog) and the honu (turtle). Andy was kind enough to model a T-shirt for me. I couldn't resist so I bought two for my sons Nick and Ryan, Christmas stocking stuffers. They will love it since they are both away at school in California. They were having a promotion so I got the second one for 50% off. Greatest quality and wonderful designs! I showed them to my daughter Jessica who worked at their Kahala store for years under Robby. Good choice mom! There are other stores in Hawaii like T&C including Honolua Surf Co. of Maui and Hawaiian Island Creations and Blue Hawaii Surf of Oahu. They all produce goods of the finest quality and serve their customers with their unpretentious and conscientious Hawaiian style service. I hope that you will support them on your next visit to Hawaii. And for us locals, Christmas is just around the corner and surf wear is always a hit. Enjoy and let's "Live Like This!" [ Top ]

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