Kent Ladkin originally opened the store as the Honey Surf Shop in 1976. It was an unused grocery shop at the time, & at first was half Surf Shop & half Health Foods. It sold bulk honey. Kent bought the property in 1978, then in 1980 sold the lease to enable him to focus on his two Kirra Stores, & the manufacturing, wholesaling & import/export of surf products.

In 1982 Kent moved fulltime to the USA to pursue other interests. He returned to Australia in 1989. The tenants moved out shortly after & left the shop empty, so Kent reopened the store as the Natural Necessity Surf Shop in 1990. It has grown steadily since then to be what is today. This growth has been accomplished through a commitment to providing the best products & service, so that people come back year after year & tell their friends & family about what a positive experience shopping at Natural Necessity Surf Shop is.

Viv joined Kent in the business in 1993, and has help steer the business in it’s achievement of being the premier surf shop in Australia. Viv previously worked as an Envoironmental Scientist.

Kent has been self employed in the surf industry most of his adult life. He has also been Importer of Masuer Sandals into the USA, owner of Klear Consulting Inc, a Marketing Consultant Company, Director of the Whole Life Expo in San Francisco, owner of Surfjet Expeditions Inc, & product developer for Australia’s largest Health Food Distributer.

In reopening the shop in 1990, Kent wanted to create for himself (as well as family and friends) a lifestyle that incorporated his love of surfing. This involves much more than just surfboards. It is about a whole lifestyle, which includes all aspects of living a healthy coastal Australian life. Natural Necessity Surf shop is the expression of this dream. If you would like to know more about the life of Kent Ladkin, feel free to follow this link.

Some of the Natural Family...

Part of the Positioning Statement is “To be Australia's Ultimate Surf Shop”

We have accomplished this by being the best in many areas:

The blend of Surf & Fashion brings people from far & wide.

The largest & most comprehensive range of swimwear in Australia makes us unique.

The best range of surfboards anywhere. Over 600 models of the best shapers of all times best shapes, with over 100 demo boards.

The largest range of wetsuits in Australia.

The friendliest staff who work diligently to provide outstanding customer service and product knowledge.

Natural Necessity Surf Shop - It's Definitely Worth The Drive