Jim Jenks, co-founder of Ocean Pacific, passed away March 19 at 84. He will be remembered for introducing super-short corduroy shorts to the California surf and skate world, an iconic look that eventually made its way to the street, turning OP into the favorite fashion label of the moment. I can remember wearing my first pair of shorts back in the late 70's, light blue. They were awesome.
OP’s dominance in the ’70’s and ’80’s set the stage for other surf brands to crossover into mainstream fashion, but OP is known for more than just fashion. The company helped lay the groundwork that brought pro surfing to Huntington Beach, California. The OP Pro was the first world championship event in the state.
Originally started by John Smith, OP began as a surfboard brand in the ‘60s. In 1972, Jenks obtained the name and launched it as an apparel brand.