Born in Santa Cruz · Growing in Maui · Independent for 25+ years

Born at Third Ave.
Built to keep moving.

TAC is an independent surf, skim, skate, art, and lifestyle brand born in Santa Cruz and now growing between Santa Cruz and Maui.

Built through art, movement, friendships, and decades of creative progression.

The beginning

Third Ave Crew

TAC began as the Third Ave Crew, named after Third Avenue Beach—better known as Seabright Beach—in Santa Cruz, California.

What started with handstyles, sketches, stickers, homemade graphics, and sessions with friends gradually developed into something bigger. TAC became a way to bring together art, design, surf, skimboarding, skateboarding, and the creative coastal culture surrounding us.

The early years were shaped by late nights in garages, beach parking lots, road trips, local contests, and the constant drive to make something original.

Built independently

The early days

TAC was never created from a traditional clothing-company business plan. It grew naturally through friendships, local influence, and the creative energy of Santa Cruz.

Early designs drew from graffiti lettering, surf graphics, skate culture, music, photography, and the raw DIY approach of the time. Small runs of shirts, hats, and stickers began circulating through beaches, skim contests, skate sessions, shops, and groups of friends.

Over time, TAC developed a recognizable visual style: coastal, art-driven, laid-back, and always focused on progression.

“Built by the places that shaped us. Driven by everything still ahead.”

Santa Cruz roots · Maui progression · Always moving forward

A new chapter

From Santa Cruz to Maui

As life evolved, TAC expanded from Santa Cruz to Maui. The move brought new surroundings, new relationships, and an entirely different source of creative inspiration.

It also led to The Aloha Crew—a Maui-inspired extension of TAC built around island life, original artwork, apparel, hats, stickers, and the culture developing around the brand here.

The Aloha Crew continues to grow through new products, new art, and an expanding group of Maui retailers. It gives TAC room to create something distinctly inspired by Hawaii while carrying forward the independent spirit that started everything.

California

Still Santa Cruz strong

Our Santa Cruz office remains active, our team is still part of the brand, and Third Ave Crew products continue to be supported by local retailers and the community that helped TAC grow.

Shop Third Ave Crew

Hawaii

Maui progression

Maui brings new color, landscapes, relationships, and ideas to TAC through The Aloha Crew—a growing collection of island-inspired apparel, art, hats, and stickers.

Shop The Aloha Crew

“TAC has never fit neatly into one category.”

Surf · Skim · Skate · Bikes · Art · Photography · Design · Travel

The process

Designed and overthought

The artwork, products, photography, and overall direction come from a hands-on process shaped by decades of design experience and an obsessive attention to detail. Nothing is rushed, and most things are probably overthought more than they need to be.

TAC is not fast fashion or mass-produced trend chasing. It is a long-running creative project built through friendship, experimentation, mistakes, persistence, and a genuine love for making things that feel personal.

The story continues

Santa Cruz roots.
Maui progression.

The next chapter is about building both sides of TAC—new Third Ave Crew and Aloha Crew apparel, more original art and stickers, a growing retailer network, and authentic connections in both communities.

If you own a shop—or know someone who may be interested in carrying TAC or The Aloha Crew—we would love to hear from you.

Carry TAC in your shop

From Santa Cruz to Maui—and everywhere in between. Thank you for being part of the crew.