The bricks and mortar store now trading as Rip Curl Phillip Island has gone through many changes along the way but has always stayed true as a core surf store with fixed roots in the Victorian and Australian surf culture and history.

Laurie Thompson at the time was the retail manager for Klemm Bell surfboards at their Gardenvale store “shop jockey, wax seller” as Laurie puts it!

After been conscripted for national service for 2 years in 1969 -1971, Laurie came back to Melbourne and worked as a sales rep for a fibre glass company for 3 years, before “Klemmy” Terry Klemm asked Laurie to move to Torquay and continue working for him, which he did. Getting to work alongside the likes of Gerry Lopez, Reno Abellira, Bob McTavish, Richard Harvey, John Blanch and Kym Thompson just to name a few.

With then having gained a strong knowledge of the surf industry Laurie moved to the Island to open what he called a “small earthy surf shop” “sand on the floor and a gone surfing sign hanging on the door” was the feel he wished to create and did so successfully. 

In 1977 Laurie purchased what was then “offshore surf shop” and rebranded it as Islantis Surfboards. Islantis was born and Laurie was manufacturing 5 – 12 surfboards a week crafted by his first shaper Russell Francis. Although Laurie wanted to keep things small with low overheads the brand was strong and naturally continued to grow.

A lot of work went into the boards in those days especially into the artwork, Laurie would strive to make his boards the best and the best looking. The store saw a lot of notable faces pass through and visit over the years including the likes of 2X world champion Damien Hardman, Tom Carroll and a young 18year old up and coming hot shot by the name of Kelly Slater!

In 2003 Laurie sold the store and business to current owner Scott Jackson.

Scott ran the store for 11 years still under the Islantis name before striking a deal 10+ years ago in early 2014 with Rip Curl to rebrand and re vamp the shop to what is now trading as Rip Curl Phillip Island.

Scott now living out his dream on Queensland’s sunshine coast, right near Noosa’s premium point breaks. The store is run by a team of legends dedicated to the surf, the lifestyle and providing you the best service money can buy.

We’re stoked to resurrect the Islantis brand online to bring you the most top-quality surf products and boards on the market whether you’re at your workplace or couch at home all at the convenience of your fingertips.