JC’s Surf Shop Hat

What is JC’s Surf Shop?

In 1961 locals, Buddy Hooper and John Ochs began surfing Hatteras Island. A year or so later their friend, Johnny Conner discovered surfing and was hooked. In 1964 he started renting surfboards in front of his father’s grocery store in Buxton. This led to buying and selling used boards and later selling boards for Bob White, founder of Wave Riding Vehicles. His business grew and he opened JC’s Surf Shop, the first surf shop on Hatteras Island, in a trailer next door to Conner’s Supermarket. Johnny made JC wax, did ding repair, and even made and sold a few boards.

Our JC’s Surf Shop t-shirts and hats are a reproduction of the original design sold at the shop. The logo was designed by Merian Conner Sawyer, Johnny’s sister, who was an incredible island artist.