What do you think?
Rate this book
The Rip Curl Story: 50 years of perfect surf, international business, wild characters and the search for the ultimate ride
The Rip Curl Story is the remarkable tale of two young surfers - Doug 'Claw' Warbrick and Brian Singer - who pursued an audacious dream to make a living in pursuit of the ultimate ride.
The brand they built, Rip Curl, not only satisfied their own surf wanderlust, but also inspired countless others, riding the wave of the global youth revolution of the late '60s.
Rip Curl's mantra became 'the Search': the pursuit of new waves on distant shores, new thrills - skiing, snowboarding, windsurfing - and better equipment to elevate the experience. Along the way they supported the careers of many of the world's great surfers - from Midget Farrelly to Michael Peterson, Tom Curren to Damien Hardman, Pam Burridge to Stephanie Gilmore, and of course Tyler Wright and Mick Fanning.
Bestselling surf writer Tim Baker tells this implausible story in an irresistible series of ripping yarns, offering rich life lessons, a maverick business primer and a wild ride of adventure, good times and outlandish ambitions spectacularly realised.
The Rip Curl Story will make you want to surf more, travel further, follow through on that great business idea and pursue your own Search.
The brand they built, Rip Curl, not only satisfied their own surf wanderlust, but also inspired countless others, riding the wave of the global youth revolution of the late '60s.
Rip Curl's mantra became 'the Search': the pursuit of new waves on distant shores, new thrills - skiing, snowboarding, windsurfing - and better equipment to elevate the experience. Along the way they supported the careers of many of the world's great surfers - from Midget Farrelly to Michael Peterson, Tom Curren to Damien Hardman, Pam Burridge to Stephanie Gilmore, and of course Tyler Wright and Mick Fanning.
Bestselling surf writer Tim Baker tells this implausible story in an irresistible series of ripping yarns, offering rich life lessons, a maverick business primer and a wild ride of adventure, good times and outlandish ambitions spectacularly realised.
The Rip Curl Story will make you want to surf more, travel further, follow through on that great business idea and pursue your own Search.
424 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 2, 2019
44 people are currently reading
212 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 20, 2025
Awesome story of how 2 blokes built a business and lifestyle centred around catching waves. Despite the wild times and extravagant parties over the years they never lost their way unlike so many of their counterparts. The highs and lows of being on the forefront of an emerging early industry made for captivating reading and a bit of jealousy.
August 2, 2022
This was a great look into an iconic Australian business, very enjoyable!
April 9, 2023
This story was a deep dive into the evolution of Rip Curl, one of the big three surf brands alongside Quicksilver and Billabong. Rip Curl evolved globally on the beaches of Australia as two surfers wondered, “how can we make money off of the surf industry?” since the 70’s until present day. As much as a story of this brand, this was a worthwhile read because it is the story of the sport of surfing. From WSL competitions, sponsored athletes, off the beaten path surf trips, and CEO leadership to help the company stay true to its barefoot, lunch break surf roots. Rip Curl stayed relevant by focusing on perfecting the wetsuit, not the board short, and even bringing their style and functionality to the mountains too. A worthwhile read whether interested in business, surf history, dirt bagging, or apparel. Would like to see a Silicon Valley-type tv show or movie telling this story.
August 18, 2024
Captured perfectly everything I love about beach culture on the Bellarine and Surf Coast.
June 21, 2024
I read this book due to my interest in Australiana and corporate history as well. I gave it three stars due to the unique and compelling rags-to-riches story that lays beneath the Rip Curl logo.
I think that a five star story definitely exists somewhere within the walls of this brand, but I deducted one star for its overemphasis on the Rip Curl snow culture, which made this book longer than it should have been. I also deducted one star, rightly so, for the elephant in the room.
The elephant in the room is how the author dealt with the subject of drug use within the Rip Curl story.
This book charts a whimsical and irresponsible path on the subject of frequent drug use/abuse and ignores both the short term and long term effects routinely. It’s nonchalant treatment of what is a serious social problem just does not wash with the realities that exist.
Welcome to the world of Tim Baker surfer storytelling, where every premature death is simply a “heart attack” and every tragic suicide is “just mental health.”
We deserve better.
I think that a five star story definitely exists somewhere within the walls of this brand, but I deducted one star for its overemphasis on the Rip Curl snow culture, which made this book longer than it should have been. I also deducted one star, rightly so, for the elephant in the room.
The elephant in the room is how the author dealt with the subject of drug use within the Rip Curl story.
This book charts a whimsical and irresponsible path on the subject of frequent drug use/abuse and ignores both the short term and long term effects routinely. It’s nonchalant treatment of what is a serious social problem just does not wash with the realities that exist.
Welcome to the world of Tim Baker surfer storytelling, where every premature death is simply a “heart attack” and every tragic suicide is “just mental health.”
We deserve better.
March 22, 2019
I received an ARC of this book.
What a fascinating read about the creation and continuation of a company local to me. It spoke about the why, the who and the what of their reasoning - basically, they wanted good boards for themselves and it just took off from there.
Again, didn’t realise how close the relationship with Quicksilver was...until it wasn’t. I also really enjoyed reading about their ties and commitment to surfers. I had no idea how they were so symbiotic.
Their links and dedication to surfing and surfers is what has kept them foremost in the minds of people when it comes to good gear. Their need to strive for the best in all things surf and snow has seen them become industry leaders.
Baker has researched and written a book on the 50 year history of Rip Curl that is something to be proud of.
Well written and full of so much information that it will appeal beyond the surf market. In fact, I think this is a good one for people who strive to be their best in the field as these guys show you what determination and listening to customers can do for your company.
What a fascinating read about the creation and continuation of a company local to me. It spoke about the why, the who and the what of their reasoning - basically, they wanted good boards for themselves and it just took off from there.
Again, didn’t realise how close the relationship with Quicksilver was...until it wasn’t. I also really enjoyed reading about their ties and commitment to surfers. I had no idea how they were so symbiotic.
Their links and dedication to surfing and surfers is what has kept them foremost in the minds of people when it comes to good gear. Their need to strive for the best in all things surf and snow has seen them become industry leaders.
Baker has researched and written a book on the 50 year history of Rip Curl that is something to be proud of.
Well written and full of so much information that it will appeal beyond the surf market. In fact, I think this is a good one for people who strive to be their best in the field as these guys show you what determination and listening to customers can do for your company.
March 30, 2021
I took my time reading the book as you probably see. I was interested in finding out more about Rip Curl as I knew nothing about them apart from a store in Coolangatta and the founding down in Victoria as I was looking at doing a Great Ocean Road tour, since the well known surf spots are down that way. I know of some of the local surfers mentioned, but didnt expect a few to come from the Tweed / Gold Coast region. It was unexpected to find that the surfies actually do have brains and know what they were doing. Mind blowing as I never realised the founders were pretty much involved in everything regarding the founding of the company including their philosophy between surfing and work, which actually does work for the company.
Worth reading as they have done more than I have ever realised.
Worth reading as they have done more than I have ever realised.
April 17, 2019
Rip Curl - what a great read !
Great for the soul. Just strengthens my views on this company. My search began in my late teens up and down the east coast of Oz. Then a decade later adventure to Bali. 85ft yacht across the Lombok straight, first stop Desert Point & before well known. Solid 10ft Almond shape barrels. Only thing I got out was the camera. The search continued for 2 weeks. To this day still talk about the search and what’s around the next corner. I have the Search videos, wet suits, watches, t shirts & massive fan of the Rip Curl teams over the years. Still wax up and dream of the next trip along the coast - the search will always continue.
Great for the soul. Just strengthens my views on this company. My search began in my late teens up and down the east coast of Oz. Then a decade later adventure to Bali. 85ft yacht across the Lombok straight, first stop Desert Point & before well known. Solid 10ft Almond shape barrels. Only thing I got out was the camera. The search continued for 2 weeks. To this day still talk about the search and what’s around the next corner. I have the Search videos, wet suits, watches, t shirts & massive fan of the Rip Curl teams over the years. Still wax up and dream of the next trip along the coast - the search will always continue.
May 31, 2022
Gives you a great feeling for the founder's personalities and how they drive the business through the ups and downs. Loved the battles between the 'salts' and the 'suits'. Gives a great feel for how Rip Curl's culture developed and how they lived their story successfully.
July 22, 2022
Greta read
I enjoyed this book with its depth of research contributing to it’s character.
Here we have a business that has stood the test of time and thrived.
It will never be the same for me when I shop at Tip Curl stores.
Heart warming and exciting all at the same Tim.
I enjoyed this book with its depth of research contributing to it’s character.
Here we have a business that has stood the test of time and thrived.
It will never be the same for me when I shop at Tip Curl stores.
Heart warming and exciting all at the same Tim.
June 27, 2023
Amazing story and fantastic journalist/ doco approach from Tim Baker. As a surfer and entrepreneur I couldn’t recommend this book more!
May 23, 2020
Fantastic story of a true Aussie icon and brand, the two guys who started it all and the many folk who worked to make it the success it is today. I remember when it and Quiksilver were run out of what seemed like a couple of tin sheds in 80’s, what a great success they’ve become! They were great then and are great now, so pleased they’re Australian or were for most of their existence til now. Loved every page!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews