3 Surf-Wear Makers That Failed to Stay Atop the Wave

Jimmy’Z was started more than three years ago in Valencia by Jimmy Ganzer. The company made a name for itself by selling pants with Velcro waistbands and flies. In November, Jimmy’Z was bought by Tustin-based Ocean Pacific via an Orange County holding company called 1200 Valencia. Jimmy’Z reportedly had 1987 sales of more than $20 million.

Santa Ana-based Off Shore Sportswear changed its name to Off Shore of California in November when it sold a 50% interest to a silk-screening business in Irvine. At the same time, Daystar--a privately owned company that licensed the Off Shore name--filed for protection under federal bankruptcy laws, listing 134 creditors and debts of more than $550,000. Off Shore had 1987 sales of $8 million.

Irvine-based Maui & Sons is a 7-old company that was started with $3,500 in 1981. Sales of the company’s T-shirts, pants, sweaters, dresses, jackets and casual shoes hit $12 million last year. Maui & Sons filed for Chapter 11 protection Tuesday, listing more than 200 creditors and liabilities of $7.1 million.