In order to survive the rugged Pacific coast waves, surfers needed wetsuits, accessories and of course, surfboards. The only way to get such gear was to drive down to California. Some Vancouver Islanders would do just that — go down, buy up a bunch of boards, wetties and accessories, bring them back up and sell them out of their trucks. Bannister was ahead of his time, an entrepreneur of sorts, so he decided to help out his surfing buddies and local swim clubs by starting up a surf shop to gain easier access to this gear.

He registered a business called HtO and opened up his first location on Quadra Street in Victoria. He sold not only surfboards, wetsuits and accessories, but also swim gear and, later on, skimboards, snowboards and skateboard equipment, as well as scooters, roller blades, disc golf discs —anything to have fun in the sun.

In May 1989. HtO later moved to its 1010 Yates St location, closer to downtown. Bannister eventually decided it was his time to move on and decided to close the shop. He had a couple staff members at that time, Karen Anderson and Kathy Newell. Rather than let the legacy fade out, the pair re-opened HtO on Broad St. and incorporated with their third partner, Dawn Black, in 1995. The women took the store to a new level, establishing the current well-known grass roots, always colorful, and always fun.

With the shop being passed down through staff members, the store has been able to keep its original integrity. Much of its history comes from the relationships and experiences staff have had with their customers and friends.

In order to give back to the community HtO strives to keep the art of surfing alive and grow it steadily in Canada. Originally surfing and the surfing lifestyle was about style, music and art. HtO tries to incorporate those principles where it can by participating in events that promote the soul of surfing and its culture with community involvement.

Events such as:

1. Eagles in the city: Drew Brophy (a famous surfer and surf artist from California) painted HtO’s eagle on the street in June 2009
2. Musician and professional surfer Donavon Frankenreiter came to the store to sign autographs and play a small, intimate acoustic set in March 09
3. HtO Thetis Lake Swim for MS: The store was the title sponsor of Vancouver Island’s open water swim, this year raising over $32,000 for MS in July 09
4. HtO is also title sponsor for the
5. Surfrider Foundation