Nancy Katin "2000 Woman of the Year"

Co-founder of Kanvas by Katin


PHOTO: Courtesy Bernie Baker

 

Known as the “First Lady of Surfing,” Nancy Katin and her husband Walter began sewing thick, rugged surf trunks in their Kanvis by Katin boat-cover shop in 1959. After Walter died in 1967, she continued to run the business with seamstress Sato Hughes.

Exhibiting a sharp marketing and promotional sensibility, Katin began sponsoring top surfers such as Corky Carroll and David Nuuhiwa to wear Katin surf trunks during the 1960s and 1970s. In 1977, Nancy began the Katin Pro-Am Team Challenge, one of California's most iconic events. She passed away in 1986, leaving the business to Hughes and her son.

PHOTO: Sharron Weber, Mike Purpus and Nancy Katin