INDEX OUR STORY P. 1
KATIN PRO/AM P. 5
THE PRESENT P. 7
EXPLORERS P. 17
OUR PARTNERSHIPS P. 23
COLLABORATIONS P. 27
SOCIAL MEDIA P. 29
PRESS P. 31
IN STORE P. 33
RETAIL HIGHLIGHTS P. 37
O U R
S T O R Y O U R S T O R Y
In 1954, Nancy and Walter Katin opened a small boat cover business called Kanvas by Katin in Surfside, California, just north of Huntington Beach. Walter, a tenaciously friendly man, both short and robust, always donned an iconic ensemble of a powder-blue jumpsuits zipped up to the neck with a captain’s hat. Earning the nickname the “Captain,” for both his style and passion for sailing his boat “The Southern Seas,” proudly took on the title of craftsman within the business. Walter’s wife, Nancy, standing less than five feet tall yet possessing a personality far greater than her stature and a mind brighter than her crimson hair, was the salesperson. Walter and Nancy’s canvas boat covers were practically bulletproof, using hundred-pound-test, waxed-nylon thread and nickel grommets. Things quickly changed for the Katins when a young local surfer walked into the Katin’s shop asking for a new kind of short, made specifically for surfing, using the same indestructible canvas as the covers. The young surfer explained his struggles with surfing in cut off jeans, and how he found that the denim threads would unravel quickly, leaving him nearly nude when exiting the water. This determined teenager’s name was Corky Carroll, who unbeknownst to Walter, would go on to be one of the world’s first professional surfers, and the custom surf trunks Walter made for Corky would become California’s very first surf trunk. After Walter’s canvas surf trunk creation for Corky, word spread like wildfire throughout the watermen world, and soon, Walter’s shop flooded with young surfers seeking their own pair of canvas trunks. In true Walter fashion, he personally measured and tailored each pair of custom surf trunks for every surfer. Overwhelmed with hopeful wave riders pleading for a pair of trunks, Walter sought the help of a local skillful seamstress, Sato Hughes, who is still sewing strong in the Katin shop today. The sport of surfing reached mainstream popularity in the mid-1960s and the Katins were firmly entrenched in the surfing community, known for creating the best surf trunks around. Champion surfers of the time, Shaun Tomson, Peter Townend, Reno Abelliro and Gerry Lopez, to name a few, wore Katin surf trunks, purely out of passion and for a deeply rooted respect for these impressive trunks and their creators, Walter and Nancy. Even notorious surfer Eddie Aikau was photographed wearing Katin surf trunks. Passionate about all things surf, the Katin couple helped sponsor early California surf contests and organizations, including the “Katin Underdog Contest” for competitors who had never won a contest. When Walter passed away in 1967, Nancy not only kept the surf shop business intact, but she also expanded her involvement in the surf world by providing surfing scholarships. continued on p.4...
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She even went on to start the Katin PRO/AM Team Challenge in 1977. The annual PRO/AM held at the Huntington Beach Pier not only featured some of the world’s best surfers, but also provided an arena for the young, talented surfers from beaches all across the U.S. to compete alongside their heroes. World Champion surfers such as Shaun Tomson, Tom Curren, Martin Potter, Sunny Garcia and Kelly Slater have gone on to win the PRO/AM. By the early 1980s, the surf industry had officially skyrocketed and many manufactures were quick to take advantage of the trend. Though there were many offers made to Nancy to sell her business, she was determined to keep Katin a cherished surf haven for all. Nancy continued to make surf trunks in the back room of the Surfside Kanvas by Katin store, selling them up front and relying on the existing loyal network of surf shops for additional distribution. Over time, Nancy became known as the “First Lady of Surfing,” not only because of her quality clothing, but also because she genuinely befriended the surfers that came to her shop, even acting as second mom to most. Despite the initial local dislike for the sport of surfing, Nancy always made sure that the Katin shop had room for any and all surfers to kick back, relax and swap stories. Sadly, in 1986 Nancy passed away, leaving the surf industry and all of the Katin-wearing surfers with a heavy heart. However, when Nancy passed she left the company to Sato Hughes, her loyal seamstress since 1961. Sato and her son Glenn have since continued to run the original surf shop with the same love, dedication and care as Nancy and Walter, sewing custom surf trunks with the same quality, durability and good looks since 1954. Having been born by the beach and raised along the California coast, Katin remains a staple for Southern California culture today. While continuing to pay homage to its iconic beachside heritage, Katin embraces all of the Golden State’s versatile terrains, from the southern sunny beaches and bold desert bedrocks to the dense northern forests and snowcapped mountaintops.
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Katin continues to take pride in its title as California’s first brands to make surf trunks and continues its commitment to selling high-quality, durable goods, both with the iconic surf board shorts and lifestyle apparel, on the beach and beyond.
K A T I N
P R O / A M
T E A M
C H A L L E N G E P R O / A M
I n 19 7 7 , N a n cy i n i t i ate d th e an n u al K atin PRO / A M Te am C h all en ge a t t h e n or t h s ide o f H u n tin g to n B e ac h ’ s p ie r, a te am even t wh ere a m a t eur s u rf e rs c an c o m p e te alo n g s ide th e p ro s . T h e a n n ua l P R O/ A M h e ld at th e H u n tin g to n B e ac h Pie r n o t on l y f ea t ured som e o f th e wo rld’ s b e s t s u rf e rs , b u t als o p rov i d ed a n a ren a f or th e yo u n g , tale n te d s u rf e rs f ro m b e ac h e s a l l a cross t h e U . S . to c o m p e te alo n g s ide th e ir h e ro e s . S u rf l egen d s such a s S h au n To m s o n , To m C u rre n , M artin Po tte r, S un n y Ga rci a a n d Ke lly S late r h ave g o n e o n to w in th e PRO / A M. T h e Ka t i n P R O/A M s u c c e s s f u lly ran u n in te rru p te d f ro m 19 7 7 t o 19 8 9 , t h en f ro m 1 9 9 4 to 1 9 9 8 an d th e n ag ain f ro m 2 0 0 9 to 2 0 1 1 .
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Individual and team winners of the Katin Pro-Am Team Challenge: 1977: Shaun Tomson, Kanoa Surf boards 1978: Larry Bertlemann, Bronzed Aussies 1979: Greg Mungall, Bronzed Aussies 1980: Michael Ho, Victory 1981: Shaun Tomson, Calvary Chapel 1982: Tom Curren, Body Glove 1983: Martin Potter, O’Neill 1984: Joey Buran, O’Neill 1985: Willy Morris, Body Glove 1986: Martin Potter, O’Neill 1987: Tom Curren, Gotcha 1988: Dave Parmenter, Body Glove 1989: Richie Collins, Quiksilver 1994: Kelly Slater, Focus 1995: Pat O’Connell, Quiksilver 1996: Chris Brown, Quiksilver 1997: Sunny Garcia, Doctor G 1998: Jeff Deffenbaugh, Body Glove 2009: Brett Simpson, Hurley 2010: Chris Waring, Reef
P R O / A M
2011: Tim Curran, Hurley
P R E S E N T
P R E S E N T
T H E
EMBRACING
THE CALL
OF THE
WILD THROUGH
CALIFORNIA
ADVENTURES #SEEYOUOUTTHERE
K A T I N
H O N O R S
T A I N I N G
O R I G I N A L
A U T H E N T I C I T Y
C A L I F O R N I A
L I F E - W E A R
C R A F T S M A N S H I P , W H I L E
F O R G I N G
A R O U N D
T H E
M A I N A
P A T H
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P R E S E N T
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P R E S E N T
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Q U A L I T Y, D U R A B I L I T Y
& G O O D L O O K S
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Sato Hughes, Katin’s seamstress since 1961, at work in her
P R E S E N T
Sunset Beach customs studio
Katin takes pride in making California’s first surf trunk and continues its commitment to making high-quality lifestyle apparel and durable surf trunks. Carefully crafting the soul of California into every stitch, Katin caters to the modern-day explorer who shares the company’s mentality that life is best lived as a progression of boundless adventures.
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Katin lives and breathes explorer culture. Embracing all things adventurous, on both land and sea, Katin takes great pride in our team of Explorers. Through strategic use of Katin products, our Explorers share their take on the Katin lifestyle through their individual passions, whether that be their life as watermen, photography, hiking, surfing, motorcycle
E X P L O R E R S
riding, climbing, and beyond.
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K A T I N
P L O R E R S T H E O F
T R U E
E X -
E M B O D I E N A T U R E
A D V E N T U R E . . . .
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P A R T N E R S H I P S P A R T N E R S H I P S
While continuing to always share the Katin legacy as well as embracing the inter-company happenings, Katin also relishes in every chance to pursue extracurricular passions that further celebrate the company’s lifestyle. From outfitting county lifeguards and US Water Polo players to partnering with non-profit, surf therapy organization A Walk On Water, Katin honors every chance to unite their passion for the watermen lifestyle and explorer culture with giving back.
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2 4 . P A R T N E R S H I P S Catching waves at AWOW (A Walk On Water)
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W A L K
O N
W A T E R
U.S.WATER POLO F
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COUNTY LIFEGUARDS
P A R T N E R S H I P S
J U N I O R
L I F E G U A R D S
C O L L A B O R A T I O N S C O L L A B O R A T I O N S
Above: Levis x Katin | Below: SeaVees x Katin
Above: Club Monaco x Katin | Below: The Hundreds x Katin
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The Katin story is a historic and highly celebrated legacy. From the company’s birth in the 1950s to its current day success on and off America’s beaches. From the ocean to the redwoods, Katin embraces California and exploring its many terrains. As part of this continuous company celebration, Katin has had the opportunity to collaborate with many influential and likeminded brands that...
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L E V I S C L U B
M O N A C O
S E A V E E S Above: Apolis Activism x Katin
Below: Byrd x Katin
T H E
H U N D R E D S
A P O L I S
A C T I V I S M
C O L L A B O R A T I O N S
B Y R D S W E L L
share the same lifestyle as Katin. Each brand that we have carefully selected to create a capsule collection with has shared this same appreciation of our heritage and coastal exploration and hopes to encourage you to do the same with each collaborative collection.
S O C I A L
M E D I A S O C I A L M E D I A
Katin takes great pride in its history and even greater pride in its growth from coast to coast. In an effort to impart knowledge on our heritage along with sharing our company’s thirst for adventure, we passionately capture and share the Katin story and our love for exploring California with followers around the world. Through our various social media platforms, and with the skillful use of our #SeeYouOutThere hashtag, Katin hopes to inspire everyone to get out there and explore parts unknown; to truly soak in surroundings and to savor a new landscape.
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S O C I A L
@ katinusa
M E D I A 3 0 .
P R E S S P R E S S
K A T I N F E A T U R E S F R O M
G Q ,
D E T A I L S , M E N S J O U R N A L ,
M A X I M
G U Y S ,
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In an effort to educate the public about the impressive history of Katin and to inform all shoppers about our latest collections, we help provide all of our retailers with the proper knowledge and tools to carefully craft in-store displays for the optimal Katin experience.
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