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For other uses, see Saltrock (disambiguation).
Saltrock Surfwear
Company typePublic
IndustryRetail
FoundedPenzance, Cornwall, United Kingdom (1988.)
HeadquartersBraunton, Devon, United Kingdom
Key people
Angus Thomson, Founder, Product Designer, Managing Director & Chairman of the Board , Ross Thomson Founder, Managing Director
ProductsApparel, sporting goods, Accessories
WebsiteSaltrock website

Saltrock Surfwear is a British surfwear company based in Devon.[1] Created by brothers Ross and Angus Thomson in 1988, the idea was fostered in order to generate money to fund their passion of surfing. The brothers moved the company from Penzance, Cornwall to Devon in 1992, after which surfer Carl Priscott joined the board.[2]

History

Angus and Ross Thomson are two South African natives who decided to travel the world in the eighties and experience the best places to surf. They ended up in Cornwall after taking a train from London to check out the waves in Penzance. After spending most of their days on the beach and their nights in a pub they began to run low on cash and had to figure out a way to make money. In 1988 they decided to create T-shirts since they both needed a creative outlet.

They named the brand Saltrock after the South African town Salt Rock situated 40 minutes outside of Durban. This was their favourite place to surf back in their home-country South Africa and they wanted to carry that with them.

With their own designs inspired by surfing, they self-printed T-shirts. They created their own blackout system made from tape, nails, and a Salvation Army rug. They sold these T-shirts out of the back of their Austin Allegro until the shirts became so popular that they were actually interfering with their surfing. The surfers who lived in Cornwall loved the shirts and the brothers could not keep up with the demand of products. This demand led the brothers to pack up from Penzance and move up the coast to Croyde. They moved to this new coastal town, and on their first night there they met a group of surfers at The Thatch Pub who are still a part of Saltrock. In Croyde, North Devon the brand took off, branching outside of the surf community and growing immense popularity. After gaining many new fans, Angus and Ross teamed up with Carl Priscott, four years after their humble beginning in 1988. With Priscott on board the enthusiasm within Saltrock exploded and the brand expanded to nearby Braunton. This expansion led to Saltrock becoming established in the heart of the UK surfing community. From there the brand expanded nationally, gaining popularity throughout the nation before spreading internationally.[3]

On 17 August 2018, Saltrock went into administration with multiple stores subsequently closing.[4][5] The company the became managed by SRS REALISATIONS 2017 LIMITED. Almost immediately after entering administration yachting company 'Crew Clothing Co Group' snatched up the opportunity and brought Saltrock out of administration. 25 stores across the South West and their online store remain open. [6]

Saltrock Now

Saltrock is a major British company whose focus is clothing. Their core is built around Travel, Surf, and Adventure apparel. Saltrock provides clothing for Men, Women and Children (boys and girls). Most of their clothes resemble a casual, beach-like apparel that are comfortable and durable. These items are focused around a casual beach lifestyle. Saltrock aims to have reasonably priced clothing within the expensive clothing market.[7] Saltrock designs clothing for people who want their clothes to fit just right. It is a company that is "by surfers, for surfers". Saltrock is now a major surf clothing label but that is not their only customers. Their large following is based in the dedicated surf, travel, and adventure community in the UK. Saltrock is still family owned and is still seen as true to its roots since Saltrock has expanded but never sold out.[8] Founded in Cornwall, Saltrock recently constructed a new headquarters building in Braunton, North Devon. This serves as a factory shop as well as a distribution depot for merchandise being sent out across the country.

Saltrock's clothing is available in men's sizes, women's sizes, and children's sizes. The men's sizes are small to extra large, the women's from small to extra-extra large. The kids clothing is based on age, ranging from 2 to 14. Some of their products, such as bags, wallets, hoodies, and belts, are available all year. Others products are available based on season. In spring and summer items such as tank tops, board shorts, blouses, and T-shirts are available. During the fall and winter seasons products such as hats, gloves, sweats, hoodies, jackets, heavy coats and shirts are available from Saltrock.[9]

One aspect that has significantly changed the perception of Saltrock Products is its unique printing techniques. Their printing system was originally made out of tape, nails and a Salvation Army Rug. Their printing is now standardized and no longer the result of homemade equipment. However, it still uses wood and metal in new ways that are not previously seen by those in the clothing world.[10]

Saltrock Retail

Saltrock products are found in a variety of locations. The Saltrock brand is found in 300 stores in the UK, Ireland and Europe. There are also 39 Saltrock retail stores and a website with an online store that ships the products all over the UK as well as internationally. Most of the stores are located in the south and south west of England.

The Saltrock retail stores are located in:[11]

Devon

Cornwall

Wales

Dorset

Wiltshire

Hampshire

Glamorgan

Somerset

Mascot

The mascot of Saltrock is a crazy haired surfer boy called Tok. Tok is named after the Tokoloshe. The Tokoloshe is a South African Legend about a dwarf-like water sprite who is evil and mischievous. The idea of Tok was brought by Angus and Ross from Salt Rock, South Africa. Tok embodies the Saltrock brand and is featured on many of their products. The Saltrock brand portrays a love of fun and waywardness which is personified in Tok. Tok is a prankster who causes trouble and mischief to no end. Tok appears in all guises from a cheeky sprite to evil spirit.

Tok is mostly known for being the red logo of Saltrock but he is also featured in many of their other products. He is most often used as the graphic printed on the clothing products of Boys and Men. Tok is also the star of 'See No Surf, Hear No Surf, Pray For Surf’ and ‘Stamp', some of Saltrock's most popular prints. [14]

References

  1. ^ https://www.saltrock.com/pages/about-us
  2. ^ "About Saltrock | Read Our Story | Saltrock Surfwear". Saltrock. Retrieved 2018-06-11.
  3. ^ "Saltrock Surfwear Limited". Saltrock. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
  4. ^ https://www.walesonline.co.uk/business/business-news/surf-clothing-brand-saltrock-goes-15086459
  5. ^ https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/whats-on/shopping/taunton-saltrock-closed-fore-street-1706804
  6. ^ "Find a Store". Saltrock. Retrieved 2018-08-28.
  7. ^ "Saltrock". Mahalo. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  8. ^ "Saltrock - The Surfing Company". billion7. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
  9. ^ "Clothing". Saltrock. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
  10. ^ "Saltrock". Mahalo. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
  11. ^ "Saltrock Stores". Saltrock. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
  12. ^ a b https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/business/plymouths-exeters-saltrock-stores-shut-1917442
  13. ^ https://www.devonlive.com/whats-on/shopping/surf-shop-chain-saltrock-closes-1850295
  14. ^ Admin. "Who is Tok?". Saltrock. Archived from the original on April 7, 2014. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
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