About Us
The year is 1969. Richard Nixon is being sworn in as President of the United States. Neil Armstrong is walking on the moon. 4 days of peace, love, and music are happening in Woodstock, New York. And a young, wet behind the ears surfer named Mike Sciarra is fresh off the plane from the island of Oahu. With a bachelors of economics under one arm and a surfboard under the other, Mike set his sights on the east coast with a mission. To create a brand with a positive vibe that offers premium products at affordable prices for surfers young and old.
Thinking back, even during Mike's early years at F.I.T a fellow east coast legend by the name of Mike Tabeling was out in the water with him during an epic swell that hit 14th st. in Cocoa Beach. Mike T. made it a point to explain how important it was to have quality goods and materials come together to create a surf brand that would stand the test of time. Along with these conversations, rock solid friendships built upon a common love for the ocean took Mike to places that at the time only seemed like pipe dreams.
Above: Mike Sciarra shaping surfboards in the Summer of '69.
Fast forward to 1973, and Mike has begun his journey to learn the ins-and-outs of surfboard and skateboard shaping and manufacturing from some of the best on the North Shore. Mike watched other surfers and shapers in the area and took in every detail of the experience. With this knowledge, he made his way back to his hometown of Wildwood NJ, where he would soon build the foundation for the Kona Surf Company that we know today.
The Original Kona Surf & SkateCompany was born
With Led Zeppelin blasting on the shop radio and a warm New Jersey sun shining on his back, Mike worked hard to pump out hand shaped and painted surfboards and skateboards which were purchased as fast as they were made. The skateboard business was booming, and for a short time Mike had a fully functioning factory on the west side of Wildwood, building a premium product with orders pouring in overnight. Custom molded decks, Chicago trucks and brand new urethane Road Rider wheels completed the product and boy did they move. The action sports industry was on the rise, and it wasn't long before items like sandals, board shorts and even sneakers were in stock year round at Kona's flagship store. Mike's longtime sweetheart, Dee, came on to manage the books and also to cultivate some of the up and coming ladies brands in the surf world. With all of these pieces coming together, The shop and the brand began to grow.
Fast Forward to the Mid 80's, and that tiny retail space is now a bustling surf shop, considered a staple point on the NJ surf scene. A home for surfers and action sports enthusiasts of all skill levels, Mike worked hard to cater to the eager novice all the way up to the seasoned surf veteran. All of the best brands were represented here, and Mike stayed on the forefront of surf and street culture in NJ and on the east coast as a whole. A keen eye for fashion and a strong sense of community pride brought him into the 90's and eventually into the new millennium. As the brand grew, Mike strengthened his ties with manufacturers around the globe who would soon play an integral role in the re-launch of the Kona Surf Company.
