Alternative Surf

Category: Shopping

Born and raised in Long Beach, Ca, Ron spent many of his young years taking the bus to Seal Beach and 40th Street in Newport Beach. He started bodysurfing and occasionally borrowing a “boogie” board from some friends. He got his first “boogie” board in 1978 at the age of 12.

Almost every day at the crack of dawn he was ready to either take the bus or get a ride to the beach.

1982 was the year that his obsession with The Wedge began. He has not missed a summer at the Wedge since. Back then bodyboarders were not the crowd you had to deal with, it was bodysurfers and kneeboarders. Some of the first riders he met there were Dan Taylor and James Sowel. Dan and Ron still ride together at wedge and venture north during the summer.

In 1982 he signed up for his first contest, Morey Boogie at Zuma Beach and continued every year ‘til 1989.

The PSSA Tour started in 1986 and it was the first Pro bodyboarding tour in the world and Ron was the only Californian to make the finals of the year-end first championships held in Ocean Beach, San Francisco along with Hawaiians, Mike Stewart, Pat Caldwell, Keith Sasaki, Ben Severson and Danny Kim. Ron entered every PSSA contest after that in Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Florida, Texas and California placing 6th overall in the late 80’s.

In 1987 and 1988 he represented California at the International Pipeline Championships.

When not competing, he traveled throughout Mexico from 1986-1991 becoming one of the early bodyboarders in Puerto Escondido in 1986 but it was not until a year later, in September of 1987 when he and James Sowell hiked through the jungle and stumbled upon Punta Colorada, still one his favorite spots. His most memorable trip was a 2-month long camping adventure through Baja and Puerto Escondido with James Sowell, Ron McAdams and Terry Upton in the Summer of 1986.

Ron got married in 1994 to his love at first sight. Claudia was on vacation from Peru when they met in 1993 through a mutual friend. They moved to Seal Beach in 1996 where they live with their 2 beautiful children, Nicolas and Kira (named after Ron’s dropknee dream wave, Kirra Point, Aus).

The family travels to Peru and Chile often where Ron gets to explore new unchartered and secret spots with his local friends he has made over the years. Ron rides Chicama, Herradura, Explosivos in Peru and El Gringo and Iquique in Chile. He still makes it down to mainland Mexico occasionally.

Alternative Surf opened in 1995 a couple of blocks from their home. Ron thought that AS was a great asset that helped give more credit to our sport. He had an eye on it since and finally in 2006 he had the opportunity to acquire the core Bodyboarding shops in California.

“I feel that Alternative Surf plays a vital role in Bodyboarding. It is more that just the only core bodyboard shop on both US coasts, it’s the staple of bodyboarding in California. It is a great place that bodyboarders can call their own, get their gear, chat with our knowledgeable crew, hang out with friends, watch the latest movies and share their riding experiences, talk surf. I am stoked to own the shops myself and be part of this community. It is a great feeling to be able to work in something related to what you love doing.”   Ron Ziebell

You can meet Ron and Claudia at the stores anytime. They are committed to bringing the best equipment to you at the most competitive prices and continue to support our sport.


“Alternative Surf’s future looks solid! and onto its next phase! Ron Ziebell and his wife Claudia have stepped up to take on the challenge to nurture and feed some soul and innovation into the future of Alternative Surf...to me it is as if the Gerry Lopez of Pipeline just purchased Billabong…but it’s the Ron Ziebell of Wedge that just purchased Alternative Surf!!! Ron is the man to do so, I have known him for over 15 years and I surfed the largest waves of my life with Ron on a massive day in Puerto Escondido way back in 1990 where we almost died together chasing our dream and facing our fears...he has my vote, he is a legend and a good friend...good luck RonDog and Claudia!!”
Scotty Carter, Bodyboarding Film Maker, LOCKEDINSIDE.COM

I am very happy to know that Ron Ziebell, a true aficionado of the sport of bodyboarding, is announcing that he is going to be the new owner of Alternative Surf bodyboarding shops in Seal Beach and Dana Point. I have had the pleasure of knowing Ron since the early '90s, when he joined Team VIPER. He was one of the early Wedge conquerors, and continues to rip today. He will bring an excellent vibe to the market place of wave riding.  Congratulations to Ron and Claudia
Fred Simpson, VIPER Fins