katin

Surfside, California, USA

In 1954, Nancy and Walter Katin opened a small boat cover business called "Kanvas by Katin." Walter and Nancy's canvas boat covers were virtually bulletproof and used 100-pound-test waxed nylon thread and nickel grommets. They soon sought alternative uses. Walter built a custom pair of boat shorts but chose to continue focusing on canvas boat covers. However, Corky Carroll, one of the first professional surfers, came into the shop asking for a new type of board shorts, using the same durable canvas as the boat covers. After Walter created Corky's boardshorts, the shop was flooded with young surfers wanting one of their own. Overwhelmed by hopeful surfers begging for a pair, Walter had to enlist the help of Sato Hughes, a skilled local seamstress who still sews in Katin's shop today.