Hollander shaped the retail surf industry
Personal and business friends gathered from throughout Southern California Saturday at the Hermosa Beach pier for a paddleout in memory of Becker Surf founder Dave Hollander. Hollander and partners Phil Becker and Steve Mangeli founded Becker Surf in 1980 and built it into one of the country’s largest surf companies, with seven Southern California shops.
Friend Kent Burton attributed Becker Surf’s success in large part to the force of Hollander’s playful, upbeat personality.
“Dave showed what a positive personality can achieve. I’m convinced it added years to his life,” Burton said at the paddleout.
Hollander was diagnosed with cancer in 2013, and given not more than a few months to live. He lived another decade, passing away last month at age 72.