Flags at half mast in Florida after passing of Ron Jon Surf Shop founder Ron DiMenna

"A young surf enthusiast who was not content to simply ride the waves, Ron wanted to bring surfing to the masses..."

Honoring the Legacy of Ron DiMenna

Any surfer who has ever driven down Interstate 95 in Florida’s northern to central bit has marveled at the near billboard saturation of Ron Jon Surf Shop. The largest surf shop in the world, which happens to be in Kelly Slater’s Cocoa Beach, is considered, by many, to be the eighth wonder of the world. It features dynamic moorish architecture, a giant fish tank, restaurant, strip club and, of course, the classically culturally appropriated Ron Jon logo (done in 1960s English Japanese font) on tees, trunks and tambourines.

It is said that no surfer is actually a surfer until they’ve made hajj to Ron Jon’s Cocoa Beach location though others perform umrah by going to the Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach venues.

I performed my duty by visiting in 2012, running in to Ann Coulter who I assume was on her own pilgrimage.

Have you made yours yet?

In any case, it might be shocking to learn that Ron Jon was actually founded in New Jersey, 1959, by a man named Ron DiMenna who died, yesterday, at the appropriately fine age of 88.

The company released a statement reading:

A young surf enthusiast who was not content to simply ride the waves, Ron wanted to bring surfing to the masses and was a pioneer in recognizing that surfing and the beach captivated people everywhere. Over the next six decades, Ron Jon Surf Shop expanded into a worldwide phenomenon that currently has retail stores along the east coast from the Jersey shore to Key West, Florida.

Together with his wife, Lynne, Ron founded Surfing’s Evolution & Preservation Foundation, a 501(c)3 charitable organization that supports organizations with likeminded missions to protect the health of Florida’s beaches and address issues such as coastal pollution and beach ecology. Through the sale of the Endless Summer® specialty license plate, the Foundation financially supports meaningful programs, events and activities that impact protection of the beaches for future generations to enjoy. This combined with the philanthropic work done by the Ron Jon Surf Shop corporation leaves an enduring legacy.

RIP.