In an industry where brands ride in with the morning curl and wash out with the turbulent afternoon tide, Billabong has stood apart. Born out of necessity for superior surf threads, this swell-inspired brand began as a single pair of triple-stitched shorts sewn on the kitchen table of board shaper Gordon Merchant in 1973. On beachheads around the world, local water dogs don Billabong’s Phantom Series Board Shorts, Retro rash guards, and Icon wetsuits before dropping into monstrous swells. Swing through a boardwalk bar for a brew and you’re sure to run into tanned shred-heads wearing the ’99 relaxed-fit jeans or cool, comfortable Chalked Up Tee. You might even see a Billabong girl or two sipping a frosty drink while wearing the Azizia Top, Darling Dress, or sultry Ashbury swimsuit (with a sarong). A growing wave of ripping ams, dedicated shredders, and pros like Taj Burrows, Andy Irons, Keala Kennely, and Rebecca Woods continue to help Billabong refine its gear. Slay a tube in Bali or rail a bottom turn in Baja and you’re sure to run into someone who’s a fan of Billabong’s passionate mission to stay true to humble surf communities while carving out a global presence.<br />