surf shops 82

Shannon Willoughby

December 18th, 2008

WELCOME to the 'greatest surf shop in the world'.

Kirra Surf, the landmark shop which opened in the late 1970s, last night officially opened the doors at its new-look store.

It features 180-degree views, 2000sqm of ground floor space, a mezzanine level and 90 underground car parks.

Two years ago, Kirra Surf manager and former co-owner Paul Jackson, with business partner, company founder and former city councillor Peter Turner, decided to expand Kirra Surf.

Their idea was backed by a Tweed family and later by surfing empire Billabong, which bought the shop and brand this year as part of its own expansion plans.
Gold Coast surfing galleries
Gold Coast surfing news
Have your say on the feedback form below

As well as being a multi-branded surf store, it will become the new Billabong headquarters, with 450 of the listed company's staff relocating from its Burleigh Heads and Varsity Lakes offices.

"Our goal was to build the greatest surf shop in the world," said Mr Jackson, who was retained after the Billabong buyout. "It is a one-stop destination. The site is important -- it has views from the Hinterland to the beach.

"It is also a spot that is famous for its beach breaks and surf. We are noticing that families, on top of their trips to Movie World and Dreamworld, stop here and buy a Kirra Surf T-shirt. We also have many of the professional surfers come here and buy their boards and accessories."

Mr Jackson said the success of the shop was backed by a strong brand and a large hardware component.

"We have 500 new surf- boards, 1000 wetsuits -- it really is a surf-driven store," he said.

"It is also a multi-branded store and features all of the brands Billabong owns, plus Quiksilver and Volcom.

"There are also the Kirra Surf souvenirs -- we sell hundreds of them each year."

He said Kirra Surf had established some strategic partnerships, including with JS Surfboards, board maker for professionals including Joel Parkinson and Andy Irons, and World Safari, a Sunshine Coast-based surf holiday company.

JS Surfboards is using the store to sell boards while World Safari has set up its Gold Coast office inside the shop.

Mr Turner set up the business in December, 1977. It was a one-man shop that took up 45sqm and failed to attract a customer on its first day.

The store relocated to South Tweed during the redevelopment -- part of a $95 million 12-level residential apartment and retail project on a 7000sqm site.
Share this article

* Digg this
* Post to del.icio.us
* Post to Newsvine
* Post to Facebook


Ads By Google

*
Sydney Apartments

Compare All Hotel Sites In One
Save up to 75% on Sydney Hotels

www.Hotelsio.com/sydney-hotels
*
Nz Surf Lessons

Looking for NZ Surfing?
Top local listings. Just Go Yellow!

yellow.co.nz/nz+surf+lessons
*
Napili Bay Resort # 110

Napili Bay, Maui vacation rental
20 steps and your on the sand

www.stayinnapilibay.com


Karyn and Paul Jackson with family friend Johanna Roberts
Click Here


Have Your Say
Latest Comments:

The coolest shop around ,dropped in to get a pair of thongs to go to pizza hut (at KIRRA) for tea with family as i had forgotten them. Asked this young dood for directions (this place is massive)ended up walking out with over $410 worth of gear for $205 bucks (because of all the bargains) UNREAL!!!!!!!! THANK THE SURF GODS 4 KIRRA SURF ,but i hope PETER TURNER & BILLABONG can get KIRRA POINT firing on all 8 cylinders once again !cheers ROB:).....................................
Posted by: Rob Anderson of Evans Head 05:55pm Monday 26th January

Read More Comments

We welcome your comments on this story. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Please provide your full name. We also require a working email address - not for publication, but for verification. The location field is optional. Read our publication guidelines.
Submit your feedback here:
Full name (published): Email address:
Location (optional):
Your comments:
(Maximum characters: 500)
You have characters left.
Remember my details
(so you don't have to retype your details each time you send feedback)
Email me if my comment is published
Click Here