Santa Cruz’s Freeline Surf Shop Celebrates 50 Years

By Waves on in Business, Featured, Local Loop, News, Opinion, Spotlight, Surfing

The Mel Family cordially invites you to celebrate their 50th Anniversary on July 4th at an all-day event 9-7pm at Freeline Surf Shop, 821 41st Avenue, Santa Cruz

 

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (Thursday, June 26, 2019) – “Freeline Surf Shop”originally “Freeline Design Surfboards” of 821 41st Avenue is celebrating 50 years of business in Santa Cruz, California.

Founder, John Mel and his wife Kim are proud to share this monumental moment while also settling into retirement, having time now to explore and feed the soul with travel, friends and family. John will continue to custom shape surfboards and hang at the shop where you can find him most Saturdays.

Two years ago during the transition of ownership, their son Peter and wife Tara renovated and reopened the family retail store, operating as “Freeline Surf Shop”. They have consciously developed and implemented a new business concept by modernizing both the warehouse inspired space and retail mechanics while keeping true to the core values and history of the surf shop. Located in the heart of Pleasure Point and the corridor to world class surf breaks.

John Mel’s Shaping Legacy Continues
John started shaping under the tutelage of Gordon & Smith Surfboards in San Diego. He soon moved to Santa Cruz and opened Freeline Design Surfboards in the summer of 1969.

John is a Kneeboard World Champion, master of shaping and has made many contributions to the surfing community of Santa Cruz. Most notably a longtime member of the Longboard Union, Kneeboard Surfing USA and the Santa Cruz Surfing Club Preservation Society.  In addition to giving time and support to the Shoreline Surf Team, Shralpfest and the yearly Big Stick  “Log Jam” event.

Young John Mel Shaping Under the Guidance of His Grandfather
It’s no coincidence that young John Mel is an athlete on the World Surf League Qualifying Series and has several accolades himself as a surfer on the USA Jr Surf Team: 2012- 2015,  US Team Gold Medalist and Copper Individual, 5x USA National Champion (holding 3 title wins in USA Surfing & 2 NSSA’s) and WSL QS Jr. Champ. Young John can now be found competing on the WSL Mens Qualifying tour chasing his dream to become a World Surf League Championship Tour Athlete. He even tried his hand at acting. Check him out in the Indy movie “Ride” available on Netflix.
Peter Mel Keeps the Longtime Tradition Alive in the Shaping Bay
Peter Mel is a broadcaster on the World Surf League Championship Tour and proud owner of Freeline Surf Shop. Growing up in the surf community and his family surf shop, he built the confidence to have accomplished all that he has.
Peter was crowned Big Wave World Champion in 2012. In 2013 he won a title at his favorite break, Mavericks, and continues to relish surfing big waves.
On behalf of the Mel Family, you are cordially invited to celebrate their 50th Anniversary July 4th at an all-day event 9-7pm at Freeline Surf Shop 821 41st Avenue, Santa Cruz.

Here’s to seeing you in and out of the water!

Waves

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One comment on “Santa Cruz’s Freeline Surf Shop Celebrates 50 Years”

  1. ROBERT DUBOISE on

    Sorry I missed it, just found it on the net. Congratulations, I still have boards from 74, (Flyer #2) & 95 (Flyer # 4)

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