Born from the Break, The Story Behind the Original Billabong Logo

Before Billabong became a global surf staple, it was just a backyard dream brewing on Australia’s Gold Coast in the mid-1970s. Gordon and Rena Merchant started sewing boardshorts at their home in Burleigh Heads, testing them out on local surfers who practically lived in the ocean. They weren’t thinking about fashion; they were thinking about waves, endurance, and culture. Out of that salty simplicity came one of the most recognizable emblems in surf history: the Billabong wave logo.

The original Billabong logo was a perfect reflection of its roots. Two stylized waves, one cresting above the wordmark, one below, framed the brand name in bold, hand-drawn letters. The design was inspired by the Australian landscape itself: the rhythm of waves rolling into the shore, the ebb and flow of tides, and the raw beauty of the coastline. Even the name “Billabong” came from an Aboriginal word meaning “a waterhole that remains after a river changes course.” It symbolized connection, movement, and nature... all things the brand stood for.

Visually, the logo was strong and no-nonsense, made to stand out on boardshorts and surfboards. Black and white became its signature colors. The waves weren’t delicate or decorative; they were alive, mirroring the untamed energy of the surf itself. In the late ’70s and ’80s, surfing was more than a sport; it was a lifestyle, and Billabong captured it perfectly. Every sticker, tee, and pair of shorts bearing those twin waves became a kind of membership badge for surfers who lived by the tides.

Over the years, Billabong’s logo has evolved but that core identity has never changed. The waves are still there, reminding everyone where the brand began: in the salt, the sun, and the unbreakable bond between surfers and the sea. The original Billabong logo wasn’t just a design; it was a statement. A promise that no matter how far the brand traveled, it would always stay close to the water.