Go local for all your surf gear

BEST BUYS

Katin Superstore got its humble beginnings as an uneventful canvas

shop named Canvas by Katin in Sunset Beach. That didn’t last for

long. In 1959, Nancy Katin was persuaded to make canvas trunks for

surfers and she serendipitously started the surf trunk industry.

While the Katins have since passed away, their legacy continues.

Nancy only entrusted her seamstress Sato Hughes to carry on the

integrity of the store; Sato and her son Glenn now run the store.

Custom shorts are still made here, only they’re now made of

polyester/cotton. Surfboards, surf wear and long-board skateboards

are also in demand here. Its best-selling surfboard is made by Joel

Tudor. Other brands are Rusty, Lost, Innerface, Locomotion and JC

Hawaii. Surf wear is available from Split, Hurley, Billabong, and

O’Neill. From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. 16250 Pacific Coast Highway in

Sunset Beach. (562) 592-2052. www.katin. com.

BOARDS BY BRUNO

One of the few surf shops where you can meet directly with the

shaper for a perfect custom board is at Bruno Surfboards. Owner Bruno

Troadec has shaped boards since 1976. He closed his surf shop in

Brittany, France, and relocated to Sunset Beach in 1998. Bruno also makes custom kite boards for kite surfing, a popular sport in France,

which is quickly becoming a hot sport here. Lessons are offered and

they include free use of gear. During the lessons students learn:

safety, control and launching, flying and landing a kite. Prices

range from $70 for a one-hour class to $100 for a two-hour class.

Private lessons are $80 per hour. Other items available are

skateboards, clothing and wetsuits. From 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday

through Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday and Monday. 16601

Pacific Coast Highway in Sunset Beach. (562) 592-4454.

www.brunosurfboards.com.

KITE EXPERTS

Kites Etc. Performance Kites & Accessories is a kite surfing

specialty shop. The intensive sport is growing so rapidly here that

owner Steve Kent acts like his head is spinning from so much

activity. Kent’s business is booming. “I have to be selective,” says

Kent. “I’ve gotten so particular. I’ll only give lessons to people

who buy from me.” The sport is ideal for 14- to 80-year-olds in good

shape. It’s a lot like sailing on the ocean, only there’s a third

element of being lifted off the water. Aided by wind, the kite will

soar up to 25 feet. Students who make kite purchases get 50% off on

lessons. Three types of classes are offered: kite handling on the

beach (three to four hours) at $200, getting started in the water

(two hours) at $150 and an advanced class that teaches jibes (turns)

and jumps (two hours) at $200. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, and

from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Monday. 16802 Pacific Coast

Highway in Sunset Beach. (562) 592-5483.

SCOOT ALONG

Electric scooters are also available at Kites Etc. The shop

carries an extensive selection of scooters from Flyer SE and Boreem.

They are advertised as “fun, quiet and easy to operate.” Scooter

prices are in the $350 to $500 range, and the claim is that they are

ideal for teens and adults. The scooters can be fully charged in four

to six hours, and their maximum speed of 15 mph.

QUALITY GIFTS

The Hallmark Celebrations store is not a typical Hallmark store.

It’s a quality gift store that also carries Hallmark products.

Customers appreciate the expanded services like custom invitations

and stationery, monogramming and gift baskets. It has a preferred

status with many lines, that you’d normally find at Nordstrom’s.

Exclusive lines are the Goldan & I chocolates, Yankee Candles and

Arthur Court aluminum serving pieces. Other items available are gift

cards, gift wrap, French soaps, Italian ceramics and custom florals.

From 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. 7051 Yorktown Ave., Huntington Beach. (714) 960-9450.

FURNISH HOME

Contemporary furniture is at Contour in Huntington Beach. The

showroom carries complete home furnishings, and offers custom-built

furniture. From 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 11

a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. 6902 Edinger Ave., Huntington Beach. (714)

596-5321.

* BEST BUYS Send information to Greer Wylder at

greerwylder@yahoo.com or 330 W. Bay St., Costa Mesa, CA 92627, or via

fax at (949) 646-4170.