Split was started in 1988 by some college design students who wanted to create something different. A common bond was built between friends around this premise. Graphics found their way to surfboards, skateboards, ramps and t-shirts.



San Luis Obispo, California was the place it all began. We skateboarded and surfed constantly, almost got kicked out of school for it. We started experimenting with T-shirt designs and some shorts. The original players were David Patri, Steve Fordiani, Marcus Kemmerer, Mark Bergland, Todd Bunnell, Scott Jensen and Doug Taylor. We ended up graduating and moving to different places throughout California.

In 1990 Scott VanDerripe (friend from San Luis Obispo also) and David Patri got the company going again. Moonlighting in So.California they began to grow the line. Scott worked for MacDonald Douglas and Dave for Vision Street Wear. A couple of years later Scott Bailey stepped in and took over the business side of the company. The line grew and we began to make a name for ourselves. Still a garage business our motto was "don't label me". Our interests were very wide. Skateboarding, Surfing, Snowboarding, Music, were things that we all enjoyed, even all the way back to the San Luis days. We didn't want to be pigeon holed as a "surf" company, or "skate" company. Hence the "cross board sport" company was born.

Today Split operates in 42,000 sq.ft. building in Irvine with 30 employees, 70 team riders, 13 sales reps in the USA, 15 distributors around the world and lecensees in Australia, Canada and Europe. David Patri, Scott VanDerripe and Scott Bailey are still the main Principals of Split.

The original lifestyle and philosophy that established Split in the begining still drives the company today.