The story of O’Neill begins in 1923, when Jack O’Neill was born in Los Angeles, California. Growing up during the Great Depression, nothing suggested that this young Californian would go on to revolutionize surfing and water sports worldwide. That changed in 1934, when Jack experienced bodysurfing for the first time in Santa Monica a moment he would later describe as his “second birthday.” After trying several jobs and business ventures, Jack turned his passion into reality by opening the world’s first surf shop in 1952 in San Francisco. Seven years later, the store relocated to the iconic surf town of Santa Cruz, California a place that remains closely connected to the brand’s heritage.
In 1953, Jack O’Neill forever changed cold-water surfing by inventing the first neoprene wetsuit. This breakthrough allowed surfers to stay warmer, surf longer, and explore new coastlines. Innovation quickly became the foundation of the O’Neill brand. In 1970, Jack introduced the “Supersuit,” an advanced neoprene design featuring inflatable sections for added buoyancy and visibility. Just one year later, in 1971, Jack’s son Pat O’Neill invented the first surf leash — a now-essential piece of equipment that prevents surfers from losing their boards.
Today, O’Neill is recognized worldwide as a pioneer in surfwear, wetsuits, and technical water sports apparel. At Noordzee Boardstore Surfshop Scheveningen, we proudly offer a selection of O’Neill wetsuits and surf essentials designed for demanding conditions.
