Jeff Ho Surfboards and Zephyr Productions

Jeff Ho Surfboards and Zephyr Productions

"Jeff Ho Surfboards and Zephyr Productions" was a surfboard manufacturing facility and surf shop located in Santa Monica, California that opened in 1973 and closed in 1976. The building was designated as a City Landmark in 2007.

In 1971, Jeff Ho, Craig Stecyk, and Skip Engblom opened Jeff Ho Surfboards and Zephyr Productions, a surf shop in the Venice Beach area of Santa Monica, and also used the south wing of the facility for manufacturing their surfboards. The building is located at 2001-2011 Main Street.[1] The surf shop closed in 1976, and was reopened in 1977 by Nathan Pratt as Horizons West Surf Shop. That shop remains in operation in the same location to this date.[2]
[edit]Significance

Ho and Engblom formed the Zephyr Surf Team, made up of local surfers who frequented Pacific Ocean Park in the run down area of Dogtown. They later formed the Zephyr Skate Team, which became widely know as Z-Boys and is legendary for popularizing the sport. The Z-Boys are famous for bringing an aggressive new style to the sport, involving a surf style and skating pools. The Z-boys were based in Zephyr Productions, and it was a regular hang-out for the members. Several members were also employed part-time at the surf shop. Several now-famous members of the team included Stacy Peralta, Tony Alva, and Jay Adams. The team was the subject of a 2001 documentary film "Dogtown and Z-Boys" and a 2005 Biographical film "Lords of Dogtown", both feature the Zephyr Productions Surf Shop.
[edit]City Landmark Designation

In 2007, the building housing Horisons West Surf Shop (formerly Jeff Ho Surfboards and Zephyr Productions) was designated to be demolished in order to construct condominiums.[3] Local skaters and surfers, lead by Jacob Samuel[4] began fighting to protect the building.[5] On April 9, 2007, an application was filed to designate the building as a City Landmark. On May 14, 2007, the Planning and Community Development Department of Santa Monica ruled that the building met the minimum of 4 eligable criteria, and was officially designated as a City Landmark.[6]