Jeff Ho Surfboards and Zephyr Productions facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jeff Ho Surfboards and Zephyr Productions |
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| Built | 1922 |
| Architect | J. L. Schrurs |
| Designated | May 14, 2007 |
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Jeff Ho Surfboards and Zephyr Productions was a famous surfboard shop and factory in Santa Monica, California. It opened in 1971 and closed in 1976. This building became a special city landmark in 2007. It's known as the birthplace of the legendary Z-Boys skateboard team.
History of the Surf Shop
In 1971, three friends named Jeff Ho, Skip Engblom, and Craig Stecyk opened Jeff Ho Surfboards and Zephyr Productions. This was a company that made surfboards. They also had a shop where they sold surfing gear. The building was located at 2003–2011 Main Street in Santa Monica.
The Jeff Ho/Zephyr shop closed in December 1976. However, it reopened in May 1977. An original employee named Nathan Pratt started a new shop there called Horizons West Surfboards. Horizons West closed in August 2010. Later, in August 2012, the space became a coffee shop called Dogtown Coffee.
The Z-Boys Story
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Jeff Ho and Skip Engblom created the Zephyr Surf Team. This team was made up of local surfers from the Pacific Ocean Park area. This area in South Santa Monica and Venice was known as Dogtown. Ho and Engblom later started the Zephyr Skate Team. This team became very famous as the Z-Boys. They helped make skateboarding popular around the world.
The Z-Boys often hung out at the Jeff Ho / Zephyr shop. It was their main meeting place. Ronnie Jay was the head salesman there. Nathan Pratt learned how to build surfboards from Jeff Ho, Skip Engblom, and Craig Stecyk.
The Z-Boys team included famous names like Jay Adams, Tony Alva, Shogo Kubo, Peggy Oki, and Stacy Peralta. Their story was told in two movies. The first was a documentary film in 2001 called Dogtown and Z-Boys. The second was a movie in 2005 called Lords of Dogtown. Both movies show the Jeff Ho/Zephyr Surf Shop.
Saving a Landmark
In 2007, there were plans to tear down the building. This was the same building that once housed Jeff Ho Surfboards and Zephyr Productions. The plan was to build new apartments there.
Local skaters and surfers, led by Jacob Samuel, fought to save the building. On April 9, 2007, they asked the city to make the building a special landmark. On May 14, 2007, the city of Santa Monica agreed. They officially named it a City Landmark. This means the building is protected because of its important history.
