Meet David Dennis | Co-founder of Ventana Surfboards & Supplies

We had the good fortune of connecting with David Dennis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi David, what’s something about your industry that outsiders are probably unaware of?
While most surfers espouse protecting the ocean and the environment, the materials used in surfboards and surf-related products are often very toxic and polluting.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Ventana Surfboards & Supplies (https://ventanasurfboards.com) has the highest bars for artisanship and environmental responsibility. We create hollow-framed, reclaimed wood surfboards, bodysurfing handplanes, eco surf apparel, and sustainable surf supplies that are loved by adventurers everywhere. The Ventana team lives and works in Santa Cruz, California where we test our products on some of the most challenging waves on the planet. Ventana donates at least 5% of profits to ocean conservation, including to the Ventana Ocean Conservation Scholarship: http://ventanasurfboards.com/scholarship.

My business partner, Martijn Stiphout, and I founded Ventana in 2014. It’s been a great ride, but growth has been a challenge. Scaling high end, artisan surfboards is tough, but we’ve remained profitable since we started. Standing out with our apparel business in a crowded market is even more difficult, but we’ve done some innovative things and are proud of that. For instance, our new focus on “reclaimed” clothing has started to ramp up: http://ventanasurfboards.com/flannels. Also, collaborating with artists and other small businesses is one of the reasons we’ve been successful, and it’s also one of the most rewarding things we do.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Some of my previous interviews focused on what to do in Santa Cruz. This time, I’d like to explain why Santa Cruz is, in my opinion, the best destination for surfing in the continental US.

Located on the Central Coast of California, Santa Cruz is home to some of the best waves in the state. Here are a few reasons why surfing in Santa Cruz is so good:

Consistent swells: Santa Cruz has a Mediterranean climate, which means it gets consistent swells throughout the year. This makes it a great spot for surfers of all levels, as there is always a wave to ride.

Variety of breaks: Santa Cruz has a range of different breaks, from mellow longboard waves to powerful reef breaks. This means that there is something for everyone, no matter what your surfing style is.

Good water quality: The water quality in Santa Cruz is generally very good, thanks to the region’s clean ocean currents. This means that surfers can enjoy crystal clear water as they ride the waves.

Vibrant surf culture: Santa Cruz has a thriving surf culture, with a mix of local and visiting surfers. This creates a friendly, welcoming atmosphere for surfers of all levels.

Easy access: Santa Cruz is just an hour’s drive from San Francisco, making it a convenient place to visit for a day of surfing. It’s also a popular destination for surfers from around the world, with a range of accommodation options to suit all budgets.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to recognize my parents, Steve and Sona Dennis, who instilled in me the importance of environmentalism and ocean conservation at a very young age. They have both been docents at the Monterey Bay Aquarium for more than 20 years.

Website: https://ventanasurfboards.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ventanasurfboards/

Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/company/ventanasurfboards

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ventanasurf

Facebook: https://facebook.com/ventanasurfboards

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/ventanasurfboards

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@ventanasurfboards https://www.pinterest.com/ventanasurf/ https://www.houzz.com/professionals/artists-and-artisans/ventana-surfboards-and-supplies-pfvwus-pf~722499298?

Image Credits
Profile pic of me. Credit: Dave Alexander of Salty Breeze Art & Photography All other pics are from Ventana Surfboards & Supplies