The Turbulent Ownership History of Iconic Action Sports Brand Dakine
Dakine has been a staple brand in the action sports world since its founding over 40 years ago. But behind its legacy as an innovator lies a winding journey of ownership changes, acquisitions and strategic shifts. Let’s dive into Dakine’s turbulent history and how the brand aims to navigate new challenges.
Origins and Early Success
In 1979, passionate surfer Rob Kaplan launched Dakine in the surf town of Haiku on the island of Maui, Hawaii. Kaplan had a vision of creating high-quality, innovative gear for emerging action sports like windsurfing and kitesurfing.
The young company made a splash with their first product — an adjustable urethane foot strap for windsurfing boards. This novel product allowed windsurfers to customize the fit of their foot straps for comfort and control. Dakine’s foot straps were a hit among windsurfers in Maui’s bustling watersports scene.
By 1986, Dakine relocated their headquarters to Hood River, Oregon. This strategically positioned the brand in the heart of the American windsurfing and kitesurfing community along the Columbia River Gorge. Hood River’s windswept shores also provided ideal product testing grounds.
Over the next two decades, Dakine steadily built up its reputation…
