The Legacy of Jack’s Surfboards
Since 1957, Jack’s Surfboards has been a cornerstone of the Huntington Beach community. Founder Jack Hokanson set out to fill a gap in local shops that lacked quality wetsuits and surfboards.
Not only did he bring his vision to life, but he also built something extraordinary. What began as a small surf shop became a nationally recognized brand. Today, Jack’s is more than just a store—it’s a symbol of surf culture and a gathering place for the community.
Inside the BaD Pathway
Huntington Beach High School’s (HBHS) Business and Design (BaD) program is a career pathway dedicated to empowering the upcoming generations of entrepreneurs and innovators. Students are immersed in hands-on projects to develop business and creative skills that can be applied beyond the classroom. Instead of only learning concepts from a textbook, students explore subjects like math through photography and design, making their education practical and engaging.
By senior year, every student is presented with the opportunity to launch their own business and gain firsthand experience in the professional world. The goal of BaD is not just to prepare students for the future, but to also encourage them to make a lasting impact through their work and reimagine what their high school experience can be.
A Collaboration with Jack’s
Last school year, Nick Schwab, BaD’s faculty advisor, began a partnership with Jack’s Surfboards that gave BaD juniors the chance to create five hoodies and t-shirts to be sold in stores. While this project served as the students’ final, it became a much bigger project to many participants. What began as a practice product pitch turned into a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work with a well-known brand.
HBHS BaD. junior Taylor Spence said, “I never thought something I designed in class would actually be sold in a store.”
The process started with brainstorming. Some students designed clothing while others developed beach-related products. They gathered feedback from family, friends and locals to see what people thought of their products. From this feedback, they were able to refine and improve their ideas before moving on to the pitching stage. The first round of pitches were presented to Schwab who chose five groups to pitch directly to the members of Jack’s design team. After hearing the presentations, Jack’s decided to move forward with all five of them.
Over the summer, the students and Jack’s worked together to bring the products to life. Now, they are officially being sold in stores and online.
HBHS Surf Rentals Pullover Hoodie
What started as a simple sketch became a bold hoodie design combining comfort and style. HB
HS BaD seniors Sierra and Meleah Benedict wanted something comfortable for all seasons, so they created the Surf Rentals Pullover Hoodie.
Benedict said, “We were thinking about something comfy and perfect for the summer and winter, while keeping a summery vibe.¨
The students explained that the pink and blue tones were meant to capture the laid-back energy of beach life, blending playful and calming colors into one look. Their goal was to design an effortless hoodie, yet unique enough to stand out from the typical everyday sweatshirt.
HBHS Sunset Sessions S/S Tee
I partnered with Taylor Spence to design a T-shirt that blends modern and vintage Huntington Beach. We wanted the shirt to celebrate the city’s history while reflecting the energy and culture that make Surf City what it is today. From the surfboards to the hibiscus flowers, every detail was chosen to represent Huntington’s timeless quality and its evolving, modern identity.
Our goal was to create something that felt classic but fresh, the kind of shirt you’d want to wear at the beach, walking downtown or just hanging out with friends.
Spence said, “We wanted something that every generation can wear, beachy yet laid-back.”
This project made it clear to us that it was essential to design a piece that wasn’t tied to a single trend, but could be worn year after year. We both agreed that versatility makes a product successful, and this shirt represents that balance of style, comfort and culture.
HBHS Barreled In Performance S/S Tee
Inspired by their love for bodyboarding, Jonah Kim, Isaac Rodriguez, Isaiah Mcrae, Alex Djordjevic and Gabriel Pierlot set out to design a rash guard that wasn’t just for the beach but was versatile enough to be worn anywhere.
Kim said, “We came up with the idea for our product because we are all really into bodyboarding. We wanted a shirt that could function as a rash guard and as something that could be worn outside the beach, like in school or at home.”
The team explained that the most challenging part of the process was finding a graphic that was unique to them but still fit Jack’s signature style. After much trial and error, they landed on a design that gave a clean everyday look but also reflected their passion for surf culture.
Thank You
A special thank you to Mr. Schwab and Jack’s Surfboards for collaborating with the BaD program and giving students such a unique opportunity. This project not only allowed us to showcase our creativity but also taught us the value of teamwork, entrepreneurship and community connection. We’re grateful for the chance to learn, grow and create something that represents both our school and the culture of Huntington Beach.
