Backdoor -
1. (v) to take off behind the peak, knife the drop and surf through the barrel.
2. (n) A door that is obscured from the general public.
3. (n) The road less traveled.
Backdoor opened in 1997 as a 500 square-foot store, and where it was located in Hanalei made it feel literally like a backdoor to another store. We knew we wanted to serve as an alternative to the traditional surf trends, and because we were off the beaten path, we pushed the counter culture that nobody on the island was speaking to. We brought in shortboards, skateboards, brands that couldn’t be found on Kauai. We hosted pog contests, skate contests, and surf contests like the long-running Volcom Pufferfish.
Backdoor Surf has strived to serve as a community shop. A store that offers unique, well-priced items that locals wanted but could not find. As this island has grown and more wonderful local community shops have opened, a lot of these niches are being filled by others. So Backdoor Surf will continue in its evolution. The evolution that has always come from the direction of our loyal customers.
We became part of the community, and the community became part of us. For over two generations Backdoor has strived to grow and serve our island and to support our local artists and businesses.
