On The Beach Surf Shop
Voted #1 Surf Shop by the Monterey County Weekly readers 19 years in a row! On The Beach Surf Shop was founded by Kelly Sorensen at the young age 20 years old. Kelly loves both surfing and the lifestyle that goes along with it. The goal of On The Beach is to bring the equipment and accessories of the surfing lifestyle to people of all ages who have the same love for the surfing life in their hearts.Kelly grew up in Fresno, California. Ever since he was a young boy he’s had a fascination with the ocean. Unfortunately, the ocean was hours away from where he lived, but he did enjoy skateboarding on the streets in his neighborhood. When Kelly was 9 years old, his parents sent him to Kennolyn summer camp in the Soquel Mountains of Santa Cruz. Every Sunday at camp was Beach Day and Kelly got to play on the beach and in the surf.At the age of 13, Kelly’s parents took him to Hawaii where Kelly truly fell in love with the surfing life, warm water, great waves and good times. After Kelly returned from his Hawaii trip, he continued to go to the Kennolyn camp every summer. At camp he hung out with boys from Newport Beach who also shared his love for surfing and the ocean. At 16, Kelly went to Santa Cruz with some friends to surf, but unfortunately there were no waves. So instead of surfing, Kelly found himself at Portola Surf Shop. There Kelly met Mike Locatelli, the owner of Portola Surf Shop. Time went on and Mike became a good friend to Kelly, a mentor if you will.Fast forward to April 24, 1986. Kelly, now 20 years old, and one of his dreams became a reality. He joined forces with Mike and opened On the Beach Surf Shop (OTB) on Ocean and Mission in Carmel, California.Read More Less