DAKINE traces it roots to 1979, when Rob Kaplan began manufacturing the Da Kine Leash in Maui, Hawaii. The “first leash that you could pull a car with,” the surf leash set DAKINE’s standard for innovative design and high quality. Through the early 80’s, DAKINE established itself as the industry leader in surf bags and surf accessories. In 1986, DAKINE opened its North American office, manufacturing facility and warehouse in Hood River, Oregon, an outdoor recreation capital for water sports, mountain biking and snowboarding. Innovation through location. Committing itself to the snowboard market in 1989 with snowboard accessories, snowboard bags, travel bags, and snowboard gloves, DAKINE racked up an impressive list of snowboard industry innovations over the next decade. Products like the Heli Pro became the standard for minimalist technical snowboard daypacks and the sport’s best selling model. By 1999, DAKINE had pushed the envelope further, introducing the Park Pack, the first skateboard specific backpack.