O'Neill: Who Owns It, Where It's From, What to Buy
Jack O'Neill opened one of the first surf shops in San Francisco in 1952 and built the surf wetsuit business. Today the name is split between three companies. Here's who makes what.
- Founded
- 1952
- Origin
- San Francisco, California, USA
- Founders
- Jack O'Neill
- Owner
- The brand name is held by Sisco Textiles, a European holding company, since 2007. The wetsuit company is still with the O'Neill family
- Run by
- O'Neill Wetsuits in Santa Cruz, La Jolla Group for clothing in the USA, and O'Neill Europe in the Netherlands
- Based in
- Santa Cruz, California (wetsuits) and Irvine, California (clothing)
- Known for
- Building the surf wetsuit business. Hyperfreak and Psycho wetsuits, Hyperfreak boardshorts and the surf leash
- Website
- Visit
Facts checked 29 September 2026. See our sources. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
Flagship products
The O'Neill products that matter most, each labeled by how well we know it.
Hyperfreak wetsuits
Team pickO'Neill's light, stretchy performance suit. The Hyperfreak Chest Zip is O'Neill's best buy in our guide to the best wetsuit brands.
Epic wetsuits
Team pickThe value line. The Epic 4/3 is one of our picks for kids' winter wetsuits.
Hyperfreak boardshorts
On our radarFour-way stretch boardshorts, and a mainstay of the clothing line.
Tested by us means we published a hands-on review. Team pick means we back it on reputation but haven’t formally tested it. On our radar means we want to test it next. No brand pays to be listed or ranked.
Every surfer who has pulled on a wetsuit owes something to Jack O'Neill. He opened one of California's first surf shops in 1952, worked out how to make neoprene wetsuits that surfers would actually buy, and spent the rest of his life in a house above the waves in Santa Cruz.
The brand he started is now three businesses sharing one name. That matters when you're shopping, because the wetsuits and the clothing come from different companies.
Who owns O'Neill?
The answer has three parts.
| Part of the business | Who runs it | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Wetsuits | O'Neill Wetsuits, still with the O'Neill family | Santa Cruz, California |
| Clothing in the USA | La Jolla Group, under license | Irvine, California |
| Europe | O'Neill Europe | Warmond, the Netherlands |
The O'Neill family sold the brand name in 2007. The trademarks are now registered to Sisco Textiles, a privately held European holding company. The family kept the wetsuit company, which Jack's son Pat O'Neill leads.
History of O'Neill
When was the company founded?
O'Neill was founded in 1952.
Where was it founded?
In San Francisco, California. Jack O'Neill opened his surf shop near Ocean Beach, off the Great Highway. He moved the business to Santa Cruz in 1959, and it has been associated with Santa Cruz ever since.
Who were the founders?
Jack O’Neill. He was born in Denver in 1923 and died in Santa Cruz in 2017, aged 94.
Why was it founded?
Jack O'Neill wanted to surf for longer in cold water. He experimented with insulating materials, settled on neoprene in the early 1950s and sold the suits from his shop. His slogan was "It's always summer on the inside."
Important milestones in the company’s history
- 1952: Jack O'Neill opens his surf shop in San Francisco.
- 1959: The business moves to Santa Cruz.
- 1970s: O'Neill develops the surf leash, credited to Jack's son Pat. Jack loses an eye in a surfing accident in 1971, and the eye patch becomes part of the brand.
- 1980s: O'Neill adds the split-toe bootie and the rash guard.
- 1987: The first O'Neill Cold Water Classic at Steamer Lane.
- 1996: Jack O'Neill starts O'Neill Sea Odyssey, a free ocean education program for schoolchildren. More than 100,000 children have taken part.
- 2007: The family sells the brand name. The wetsuit company stays with the family.
- 2010s: The Hyperfreak wetsuit and boardshort lines launch.
- 2017: Jack O'Neill dies at home in Santa Cruz.
Any other important people who contributed to success?
Pat O'Neill, Jack's son. He is credited with the surf leash and has led the wetsuit company for decades.
Company mission, vision and values
What does the company believe in?
O'Neill says it exists to help people enjoy their playground for longer. That is Jack O'Neill's original reason for making a wetsuit, turned into a company line.
The Company Today
Who is the CEO?
There isn't one chief executive, because there isn't one company. Pat O'Neill leads O'Neill Wetsuits in Santa Cruz. The US clothing business is run by La Jolla Group, and O'Neill Europe runs the brand in Europe.
How many staff do they have?
None of the three companies publishes a headcount, so we don't quote one.
How much revenue do they earn?
All three are privately held and don't publish revenue. The figures on data-broker sites are estimates.
Where are they located?
O'Neill Wetsuits is in Santa Cruz, California. The US clothing business is at 14350 Myford Road in Irvine, California. O'Neill Europe is in Warmond in the Netherlands.
Do they have a foundation / non-for-profit arm?
Yes. O'Neill Sea Odyssey is a non-profit that takes schoolchildren out on Monterey Bay to learn about the ocean. Jack O'Neill called it the best thing he ever did.
Which products do they specialize in?
Wetsuits first. Then boardshorts, swimwear, everyday clothing and snow wear.
In the News
Any mainstream news articles referencing the brand?
- The O'Neill Cold Water Classic returned to Steamer Lane in Santa Cruz in 2022 after seven years away, and ran again in 2023.
- O'Neill's We Will Surf Again campaign backed local surf shops during 2020.
The Ambassadors
Who is sponsored by the company?
Jordy Smith is O'Neill's best-known surfer. He has been on the team since 2008 and has won eight Championship Tour events.
O'Neill also sponsors snowboarders and skiers, and the European and US teams are run separately.
Sustainability
Do they produce any eco-friendly products or have a sustainability focus?
- O'Neill Blue. The European business uses this label for products made with recycled materials.
- Wetsuits. O'Neill says its recent Hyperfreak Fire wetsuits use recycled yarns.
- O'Neill Sea Odyssey. The education program is the brand's most lasting environmental work.
These are the company's own claims about its products. We haven't tested them.
Campaigns and Partnerships
Are they doing anything interesting in terms of campaigns or partnerships?
- O'Neill Cold Water Classic. A professional contest at Steamer Lane in Santa Cruz, first held in 1987.
- Parley for the Oceans. O'Neill partnered with Parley in 2015.
- Hello Kitty. A collection with Sanrio launched in summer 2018.
For more information
Visit the O'Neill website.
Brands like O'Neill
Sources
The company facts on this page were checked on 29 September 2026 against:
- O'Neill Europe: About us (company timeline)
- O'Neill Europe: Who was Jack O'Neill?
- O'Neill US: terms of service, naming La Jolla Sport U.S.A. in Irvine
- O'Neill Europe: terms of service, naming O'Neill Europe B.V. in Warmond
- Justia Trademarks: O'NEILL trademark registered to Sisco Textiles N.V.
- O'Neill Sea Odyssey
- Good Times Santa Cruz: O'Neill Sea Odyssey celebrates its 100,000th student
- World Surf League: O'Neill Cold Water Classic 2023
- O'Neill US: Jordy Smith team page