Ron Jon Surf Shop

By VISIT FLORIDA staff
Published: October 9, 2007
Last Updated On: May 9, 2011

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Shopping

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Cocoa Beach

Fort Lauderdale

Orlando

Cape Canaveral

With three locations and a themed resort, Ron Jon Surf Shop is a Florida institution.

When it comes to surfing in Florida, one name is synonymous with the look and attitude of all things "surf" in the Sunshine State. Since 1959, Ron Jon Surf Shop has been providing the equipment, accessories and attitude that power the surfing community's never-ending quest for waves.

It all began when Ron DiMenna opened the original Ron Jon Surf Shop on the New Jersey shore. Two years later, the "One of a Kind" Ron Jon Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach opened its doors to a burgeoning generation of Florida surfers. In the 30 years since, Ron Jon has opened shops in Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, as well as resorts in Key West at Old Town, Fort Myers Gulf Coast Town Center, Panama City Beach at Pier Park and Cape Canaveral.

To keep folks coming back, Ron Jon boasts an always-surprising calendar of events, highlighted by autograph sessions and demonstrations by top surfers.

Cocoa Beach

Today, Ron Jon Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach covers more than two acres, offering surfers - and surfer wannabees - an endless selection of apparel, equipment and entertainment. Open 24 hours a day and located just steps from A1A, the blue, yellow and orange art deco castle is a center of activity for locals and visitors alike.

In addition to the endless columns of fiberglass beauties for sale, the Cocoa Beach shop rents and sells every imaginable beach toy or product, from body boards and beach bikes to kayaks and wetsuits. When visitors return from their adventures on the beach and in the waves, they can peruse board shorts, souvenirs and red-hot bikinis, before cooling down next to the indoor waterfall.

To keep folks coming back, Ron Jon boasts an always-surprising calendar of events, highlighted by autograph sessions and demonstrations by top surfers. Bands stop by night and day, filling the store with music. Surf legends such as Pete Pan conduct free clinics in the surf just a stone's throw from the store, offering youngsters a chance to experience the thrill of catching a wave and "retired" longboarders the opportunity to hang ten one more time.


Fort Lauderdale

While the Cocoa Beach location sports the slogan "One of a Kind," visitors need not travel to Cocoa Beach for a taste of the surfing lifestyle. In South Florida, water-lovers enter the Ron Jon Surf Shop at Sawgrass Mills Mall under the shadow of a 40-foot wave. Among other things, the Fort Lauderdale surf store's décor includes a 1935 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Woody.

In addition to the souvenirs, beach gear, apparel and, of course, surfboards and skateboards, the Fort Lauderdale shop features its own schedule of events, including demonstrations and autograph sessions from the world's hottest skateboarders and surfers.


Orlando

The iconoclastic Woody also anchors the island-style thatch and bamboo-decorated Ron Jon Surf Shop at Festival Bay in Orlando. The 1934-replica Ford Woody leads visitors to sand-textured walkways and "surf shacks" sporting all the beach and surf wear one would expect from Ron Jon. The surf store's location in Festival Bay, home of Vans Skatepark, translates to regular visits from professional skateboarders and frequent live musical performances.


A New, Themed Resort

After riding the retail wave for 40 years, what else to do than to open a Ron Jon-themed resort? Ron Jon Resort Cape Caribe is nestled on a quiet stretch of Cape Canaveral. The resort includes its own stretch of beach, and an array of amenities cater to families. Kids will no doubt head straight for the water park and its 248-foot long waterslide and heated lazy river. When they're soaked to the bone, kids can dry out playing miniature golf or inside the game room. Adults will enjoy fine dining, massage therapy and a movie theater.

Ron Jon Resort Cape Caribe is also among the closest beach resorts to the theme park action in Orlando.