Vans said Patrick, Dane and Tanner Gudauskas, three of surfing's most promising young surfers, expanded their six-year relationship with the brand to include apparel and accessories as well as the footwear program they already support.
Born and raised in San Clemente, California, 24-year old twins Pat and Dane and Tanner, 21, represent the next generation of Vans' Southern California heritage and our ever-growing commitment to surfing culture. The Gudauskases will work directly with the Vans design team to bring their creativity to Vans' boardshort program and our Surfsiders footwear collection.
The Gudauskas brothers, having amassed impressive individual track records traveling and competing around the world, represent an expanding lineage to Vans' surf program that already includes icons such as Joel Tudor and Nathan Fletcher as well as young Pipeline charger John Florence and aerialist Jason “Ratboy” Collins. They also join a long tradition of family involvement at Vans, starting with the founding Van Doren family in 1966 and continuing to include legendary and influential names such as Fletcher, Wastell, Smith and Florence.
Known throughout the surf world for their positive attitudes and contagious stoke, it has been obvious from the start that Pat, Dane and Tanner fit in perfectly with the Vans team, possessing the skill, competitive mindset, individual pursuit and creative expression that the brand and surf program symbolize.
“We are thrilled that our sons have joined the elite surf team at Vans,” said Tom and Nancy Gudauskas. “Vans has always been one of our favorite companies and they've supported the sport and lifestyle of surfing for decades. As the boys pursue a World Championship Title and surf the best and most challenging waves in the world, it is wholeheartedly exciting to know they will be partners with Vans.”
“The Gudauskas brothers' partnership with Vans signals another major step forward in our progressive role in surfing,” said Vans' VP of Marketing Doug Palladini. “That surfers of their caliber, with futures as bright as Pat, Dane and Tanner's, would choose Vans as their best path speaks volumes about just how far we have come and what the coming years portend.”
Pat's sponsors in addition to Vans include Oakley Sunglasses, Skullcandy, Channel Island Surfboards and Jack's Surf Shop.
Dane's sponsors in addition to Vans include Channel Island Surfboards, Kaenon Polarized Sunglasses, Skullcandy and Jack's Surf Shop.
Tanner's sponsors in addition to Vans include Smith Optics, Channel Island Surfboards, Skullcandy and Jack's Surf Shop.
Pat, Dane and Tanner join surfers Joel Tudor, Dylan Graves and Russell Smith on Vans apparel team, along with skaters Anthony Van Engelen, Johnny Layton and Andrew Allen.
