Biggest Wave Ever Surfed

San Diego’s surf culture is steeped in legendary names. Woody Brown, Pat Curren, Mike Diffenderfer, Carl Ekstrom, Larry Gordon, Linda Benson, Richard Kenvin, Joel Tudor–the list of iconic men and women who’ve shaped the current surf culture here goes on and on. Among that storied catalog is Joe Roper, the owner of Joe Roper’s Surfboard Repair located in Kearny Mesa—just a short drive from the area in which Roper grew up surfing.

Throughout his life, Roper has been seen slotted in lefthand tubes almost as much as he’s been enveloped in a cloud of resin. Before he started his longstanding ding repair career, Roper grew up surfing Crystal Pier in Pacific Beach and quickly graduated to (and dominated shortly thereafter) places like Big Rock, Windansea, and the reefs around La Jolla. In the mid-’70s, Roper made a name for himself on the North Shore by charging Pipe with style and poise.

Roper was naturally drawn to the magic of surfboard design. At the age of 12, he was fixing his own dings and glassing boards. He then started fixing his friends’ boards. The pursuit only grew from there. Now, Roper’s brought broken boards back to life for San Diego surfers for over 40 years.

Roper himself is like a walking surf encyclopedia. Take a visit to his dust-filled shop, and you’ll feel as if you’re taking a step back into that history. His walls are adorned with aged photos of Pipe drainers and Big Rock thumpers. He has board racks filled with old boards that he’s carefully restored for collectors. His rafters are stuffed with shapes and designs of every size, shape, and color. And, of course, he’s got a tale to go along with each one.

In the edit above, you’ll see we had the pleasure of visiting Joe in his shop earlier this year and hearing the stories of one of San Diego’s favorite characters.

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Women’s Cropped Rashguard®
Tesla’s surf and water sports rash guard lineup
Polyester fabric material that protects swimmers
Quick dry and water wicking for maintaining the best of conditions inside and outside of the water

Design
Long shirt length design for a snug fit that prevents ride-ups
Pristine detail design and flat-lock stitching

Functional Fabric Material
High-density fabric that protects your skin from outsize hazards and harmful UV rays
Enhanced elasticity and resilience for flexible movements
Quick dry and water wicking for maintaining the best of conditions inside and outside of the water

Product Features

• Size Chart: (XS 4-6) (SMALL 6-8) (Medium 8-10) (Large 10-12 ) (XL 12-14 ) (2XL 14-16)
• Tesla’s original Rashguard lineup® Crop Top, Long Sleeve Rashguard
• 50+SPF/UPF sun protection
• Durable high-density fabric that protects against rashes, abrasions, and harmful UV Rays (UPF 50+)
• Twisted 3-D patterns along with pristine detail design and flat-lock stitching
• Moisture Sensing/Quick time Dry/TWO-WAY Air Circulation.
• Material: Polyester 88% / Polyester 12%

Designed with the competitive shortboarder in mind, the FCS Competition Leash is 5.5mm wide and meant for smaller waves. As with all FCS leashes, they are rigorously tested to ensure increased comfort, functionality and strength. Their leashes feature a detachable rail saver and cuff, a smooth rotating swivel assembly, and a high density neoprene ankle strap with internal key pocket.

Product Features

• FCS is one of the most established fin companies in the world, ridden by pro’s like Kelly Slater
• In addition to fins, FCS also makes leashes, luggage, board bags, auto racks and surf accessories
• FCS has sponsored some top surfers like Kelly Slater, CJ Hobgood and Sunny Garcia

Women’s Slim-Fit Rashguard
Tesla’s surf and water sports rash guard lineup
Twisted design pattern that adapts to surfer’s movements
Excellent skin flap pin curls for a compression fit

Design
Twisted 3-D design patterns that adjusts according to the motion trajectory of a swimmers arms and upper body that optimizes swimming and surfing
Long shirt length design for a snug fit that prevents ride-ups
Pristine detail design and flat-lock stitching

Functional Fabric Material
High-density fabric that protects your skin from outsize hazards and harmful UV rays
Enhanced elasticity and resilience for flexible movements
Quick dry and water wicking for maintaining the best of conditions inside and outside of the water

Product Features

• Size Chart: (XS 4-6) (SMALL 6-8) (Medium 8-10) (Large 10-12 ) (XL 12-14 ) (2XL 14-16)
• Tesla’s original Rashguard lineup® Slim-fit, Long Sleeve Rashguard
• 50+SPF/UPF sun protection
• Durable high-density fabric that protects against rashes, abrasions, and harmful UV Rays (UPF 50+)
• Twisted 3-D patterns along with pristine detail design and flat-lock stitching
• Moisture Sensing/Quick time Dry/TWO-WAY Air Circulation.
• Material: Polyester 88% / Polyester 12%

Surfista Waves Series®
Tesla’s Swimming Board Shorts
Polyester fabric material that that protects swimmers
Quick dry and water wicking for maintaining the best of conditions inside and outside of the water

Design
Quick-drying design that adjusts according to the motion trajectory of a swimmers arms and upper body that optimizes swimming and surfing
Secure fit and drawstring that prevents slip downs
Pristine detail design that is also comfortable

Functional Fabric Material
High-density fabric that protects your skin from outsize hazards and harmful UV rays
Enhanced protection and resilience for flexible movements

Product Features

• Surfista Waves Series® Swimming Board Shorts * Tesla Brand Certified Guaranteed *
• Fulfilled by Amazon: Ships direct from locations within the U.S.
• Material: 100% Polyester – Quick-drying strong and smooth
• Features elastic waistband with drawstring: Inner mesh lining
• 2 Velcro secured cargo pockets