"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.
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RJ considered a ‘pave paradise’ kind of place to our crew in mid/late 80s, we all thought we were true soul surfers and RJ wasn’t hip enough for us. Query whether problem was us or them.
However … still remember stopping by there in mid to late 80s with some buddies. They had a skate demo set up in parking lot. Saw guys popping ollies over trash cans and onto picnic tables. Having only really been exposed to ramp skating before, the street stuff blew my mind, was like ‘holy shit’, can’t believe you can do that!!
Favorite, and really only, RJ memory.
Growing up in Brevard County I did a stint working there for a year,I was rearranging a giant pyramid of shoe boxes and I took my worn out old shoes off and put them in a box and walked out with a brand new pair of Sebagos.
Is that a surf shop thought it was fucking willy wonka palace or something ??
This is how I imagine all of Florida to be “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”
“520 and A1A under the rotating sign in Cocoa Beach!”
I made the 80 mile trip south to the Long Beach Island location back in 1995. Was just going to check out the inventory. Ended up buying several shorts and a 4mm full wetsuit. I still have those shorts. I am originally from New Jersey but lived in Florida for several years. Only recently found out that there is a Ron Jon in Clearwater, not far from where I lived. DiMenna’s passing is a setback for would be surf enthusiasts. Hoping the brand will find new directions for continued growth.
A soul sucking kook palace. A place of pilgramage for all east coast Vulnerable Adult Learners
Foreign clothes had ridulous taxes in Brazil in the 80s… We only had our pirate version of the cool brands. Entering RON JON while in a family trip do Disneyworld, was a surreal experience. Me and my brother running around, while my cool dad thought we went crazy. And he bought us around 5 trunks each, not to mention Tshirts and stickers…Epic memories of that store.
Surf stoked grom for the ages..
I’ll wear my pink Ron Jon muscle t the next week out of respect.
Will go buy a shirt and then stand under a South of the Border billboard and tick all the boxes.
Gotta get apprehended by Law enforcement as well.
And buy some fireworks. Pedro says…
Cool today… Hot tamale!🫔
and some pecan pie!