CELEBRATING
48 YEARS OF SURF OHIO
A STATE OF MIND
Ohio Favorites
Ohio roots. Everyday favorites. Start with the Since 1978 logo, river classics, Pink Tide and a little ’90s nostalgia. Please allow 5–7 business days for your order to ship.
Spotted on stage & screen since ’78
From the Beach Boys to The Black Keys, Surf Ohio has turned up in some famous company.
since '78 collection
Ohio roots. Surf attitude. Since 1978. Explore Surf Ohio tees for adults and kids, long sleeves, hats, stickers and bags, alongside river designs that celebrate home. Pick your piece of Ohio and wear it wherever you land.
80's Repro Collection
River Pair: pick any two River tees and save $4.50 on each. The discount shows up automatically in your cart.
90's Logo Collection
Bold triangle. Ohio roots. Shop the Surf Ohio ’90s logo on tees, long sleeves, hoodies, crewneck sweatshirts and joggers.
The story behind the ’90s logo
Step back into the bold, neon-soaked era of Surf Ohio with the 90’s Logo Collection. This collection draws inspiration from one of the most iconic periods in Surf Ohio's history, where vibrant neon fashion ruled, and graphic design made a splash.
In 1990, the classic Surf Ohio logo saw a striking update, featuring a bold yellow and gold gradient triangle behind the black logo on the front—a shift from the traditional royal and navy blue designs of previous years. This collection revives those daring design choices, reflecting the creative explosion of the time. The back of each shirt continues to celebrate Surf Ohio’s signature hand-painted designs, loud and vibrant with neon colors that perfectly capture the spirit of the era.
Adding to the nostalgia, the collection includes a tribute to the moment when legendary director James Cameron sported the 1990 Hocking River Masters shirt on the set of Terminator 2. Though the iconic image was published in Entertainment Weekly, Ron Kaplan has yet to track down the original photographer to secure a high-quality scan.
This collection is a celebration of creativity, bold design choices, and a love for the neon 90s, brought to life once again by Surf Ohio’s founder, Ron Kaplan.
Explore the 90’s Logo Collection – where the past meets bold design for a new generation of Surf Ohio fans.
A shimmering warmth radiates from the baking sand as a gentle sea breeze wafts its salty freshness together with hints of sweet coconut sunscreen. To the muffled roar of crashing surf, sunshine sparkles brilliantly off the curling waves seemingly lined up to infinity, emanating from where the deep aqua green of the sea meets the brilliant azure blue of a sky punctuated only by sea gulls racing over the roiling sea foam, and glowing cotton puffs of clouds rolling across the far horizon.
Ron Kaplan was far from any such experience that frigid night in Athens, Ohio, mere days after the Great Blizzard of 1978, as he methodically hand-screenprinted t-shirt after t-shirt upon a metal desk in an empty Ohio University dorm room. Carefully slipping a metal hanger into each so as not to smudge the images he had earlier birthed on a sketchpad, Ron would hang dozens of them mere inches apart to air-dry on clotheslines that cris-crossed overhead.
However, under the glare of a bare lightbulb shining from the ceiling, with the odor of mineral spirits barely being pushed by a rattling box fan through the screen of the small room’s lone window, with each pull of the ink-laden squeegee, the mind’s eye of the young graphic design student was obsessed with but one inspiring, hypnotizing, even comforting vision – SURF OHIO.
Little did he know his vision would go on to be embraced and shared by thousands, span generations, cross the globe, and be celebrated four decades later as a lasting icon of the beach life.
Aloha, friend – we’re glad you stopped by. Welcome to SURF OHIO, and enjoy!
Since 1978, Surf Ohio has been the iconic brand worn to represent Ohio. From crazy beach parties to laid back summer festivals - Surf Ohio can be worn to represent your state, your favorite sport, or as it is - just a state of mind.
SURF OHIO truly knows no borders, thus it’s no surprise that since its creation in 1978 it has turned up in almost every corner of culture, as represented by the photos in this ever-growing gallery.
You just might recognize some old friends and new ones here as they proudly SURF OHIO - from the Beach Boys to The Black Keys, from pro ballplayers to pro surfers, from the boob tube to the silver screen, and beyond. Enjoy!