About Shagg's Surf & Sport
Shagg’s Surf & Sport, originally founded in 1965 by Dick and Sharon "Shagg" Catri, is a cornerstone of Florida’s surf culture. Karin and Rich Morel took ownership in 1999.
Relaunched as an online store, Shagg’s Surf & Sport continues to honor the legacy and legends that were launched from the "5th Ave. Boardwalk".
Shagg's embodies the free-spirited lifestyle of Florida’s Space Coast, offering different decades of merchandise, from vintage and new Shagg's apparel and souvenirs, as well as accessories for surfing and beach enthusiasts worldwide. Enjoy a stroll down memory lane with our photo galleries and while supplies last, pick up some historic prints, postcards, and note cards!
The Origins of Shaggs: 1965-1982
How It All Started
Shagg's Surf & Sport, originally located on the corner of A1A and 5th Avenue in Indialantic, Florida, has a rich and storied history that is intertwined with the local surfing culture and the evolution of the sport in the Sunshine State.
Founded in 1965 by Dick Catri — “the Godfather of East Coast Surfing” — and his wife Sharon, a.k.a. Shagg, the beloved shop was once the epicenter of surf culture and community on not only the Space Coast of Florida, but, yes, the entire East Coast.
From its beginnings as a beachside shop, Shagg's Surf & Sport grew in popularity, becoming a destination for surfing enthusiasts seeking not only the best-of-the-best in surfboards, swimwear, and sporting goods, but surfing knowledge, guidance, and support.
That influence was to Catri's credit, whose passion for surfing was legendary. From the 60s through the 80s, he mentored and coached an elite group of then up-and-coming, now celebrated surfing superstars to greatness, including Kelly Slater (11 world titles and 55 victories), Sean Slater, Sean O'Hare, Todd Holland, Gary Propper, Troy Propper, Matt Kechele, Mike Tabeling, Mimi Monroe, Jeff Crawford, Bruce Clelland, Joe Twombly, Renee Eissler, Bruce Valluzi, and Larry Miniard, to name a few.
Catri's East Coast Hobie squad included some of the most notable surfers of the time and is considered among the most victorious surf teams in history. In short, Catri put Florida on the map, establishing the state as a formidable contender on the international surfing stage.
Catri has been described as “a pioneer, a visionary, an unrivaled promoter of Florida and East Coast surfing” by the Florida Surf Museum. He founded several surfing tours, competitions, and festivals, including the Florida Pro contest, the American Professional Surfing Tour, and the Easter Surfing Classic (now the Cocoa Beach Easter Surf Festival). He is an inductee of the International Surfing Hall of Fame as well as the East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame.
Shagg, also an East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame inductee and talented bikini and surf fashions designer, owned and operated the iconic shop for 35 years. In 1999; Shagg sold her beloved shop to the Morels' of Merritt Island.
Shagg's Makes Waves: 2000-Present
The Shaggs Legacy
Today, the mission of Shagg’s Surf & Sport lives on through Karin Morel of Merritt Island, Florida, who took over management and ownership of Shagg’s Surf & Sport in 1999 and is reviving the spirit of the revered former Indialantic shop for the digital age. Karin’s genuine love of the Space Coast , commitment to keeping the legend of Shagg’s alive, and affection and nostalgia for Florida's surf life is at the heart of Shagg’s Surf & Sport today.
Shagg’s Surf & Sport has re-emerged as an online store and digital destination for fashion and accessories that celebrates everything that was beloved at the original Shagg’s, as well as the lifestyle of the Space Coast.
The shop will feature all-new apparel designs for all ages, plus vintage designs that were originally sold in Shagg’s brick-and-mortar shop in Indialantic, from t-shirts and hats to souvenirs and prints documenting the shop’s history. Now, customers can purchase their favorite Shagg’s gear and apparel from anywhere in the world.
Through Karin’s dedication and vision, Shagg's Surf & Sport aims to once again become the center of Florida surf style and culture, while inspiring current and future generations of surfing enthusiasts to embrace the waves and live life to the fullest.
The Impact of Shagg's: 1983-1999
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Shagg's Surf & Sport expanded to include a wide range of products, from surfboards, beachwear, and sporting goods.
But the shop was more than just a retail store – it was a community gathering place, thanks to Dick and Shagg’s abiding love for the sport and affection for Indialantic and the Space Coast. Surf shops, like Shagg’s, often hold a special place in the heart of Florida coastal communities. They are not only a place to buy surfboards and gear; they play a vital role in creating a sense of belonging and camaraderie among the surfing community.
This was the case for Shagg’s Surf & Sport. During this time, under Catri's mentorship, a new generation of surfers emerged, each with their own unique style and flair. His dedication to nurturing talent transformed the area into a hotbed of surfing excellence, where surfers like Kelly Slater, Matt Kechele, Todd Holland, and many others first made their mark, honed their skills to compete at the highest levels of professional surfing, and popularized the sport.
About Catri, his first surf coach, Kelly Slater has said: “Dick was a real character and taught me a ton as a young kid starting to compete . . . He planted a lot of seeds about how to look at waves in our own unique ways. So many of the ideas still stick with me today. Those were fun times as a kid surfing high tide shorebreak at the Boardwalk in Indialantic.”
Against the backdrop of Shagg’s Surf & Sport, these young surfers not only became industry pros, but they also helped shape the burgeoning East Coast surf scene, with Sebastian Inlet becoming the training ground. Collectively, they pushed the boundaries of what was possible on the Atlantic swells and solidified the Sunshine State’s reputation as a focal point for talent.
The legacy of Catri, Shagg, and Shagg’s Surf & Sport lives on in Florida’s surf culture and in the fearless spirit and unique style of the surfers they cultivated during that era.
The Rise of East Coast Surfing
"The mission of Shagg’s Surf Shop today is based on a dream of being part of a family business. Like generations before, I want surfing, beach, and outdoor enthusiasts to once again experience the free-spirited fun, joy, and breeziness of the Florida resort and surfing lifestyle."
Karin Morel, Owner, Shagg's Surf & Sport
Meet The Owner
Based in Merritt Island, Florida, Karin Morel is a seasoned merchandising professional, with more than 25 years in the wholesale and retail sectors. She studied fashion merchandising at Auburn University and has worked with both family-owned and operated companies to corporate entities, from Florida-based Good Vibrations Surf Shops (now owned by PacSun), Space Shirts, and All Promotions to Travel Traders LLC (the country's leading developer and operator of lodging retail services) and the Advertising Specialty Institute.
A creative entrepreneur and all-around go-getter, Karin managed the brick-and-mortar location of Shagg's Surf & Sport Inc. from 1999 to 2005.
Sharon "Shagg" Catri sold Shagg’s Surf & Sport to Karin in 1999, and her mission since then has been to preserve the institution's legacy and introduce the style and spirit of Shagg’s to new generations.
With her diverse and all-encompassing background and her deep roots in the surf industry, and Shagg’s Surf & Sport's legendary history, Karin believes becoming the owner of this iconic Space Coast business was the perfect match to carry out her retail dream.
Karin is thrilled to be at a point in her life to live out her passion of bringing Shagg’s back to life.
SHAGG ON!