Sato Hughes, legendary surf trunks pioneer, passes away at 96
Sato Hughes, the godmother of the surfwear industry and pioneer of the original boardshorts, passed away at 96.
Sato Hughes was born in May 1928 in Kawasaki, Japan, to a loving mother and a farming father. She was one of eight siblings.
Sato learned how to sew at a young age at a local dress shop when she was still a student.
Hughes worked as a housekeeper for a military colonel before moving to Southern California in 1958. Her husband died in the military years before.
She kicked off her path to sewing mastery by hemming and tapering clothing at a dry-cleaning shop in Seal Beach, California.
Soon, Nancy and Walter Katin, founders of Kanvas by Katin, who were regular customers at the local cleaner, invited Sato to work for them.
Kanvas by Katin started as a small boat canvas cover business, but the quality of their work quickly shifted toward boat and then surfing shorts, thanks to the request of a young gun, Corky Carroll.
Carroll, the world’s first professional surfer, needed a pair of heavy-duty shorts for his surf sessions.
After a few tweaks and improvements, Katin had suddenly designed and manufactured California’s first surf trunks and pioneered a swimwear category that would become an industry.
But Katin needed a talented piecework seamstress to follow up on the growing number of orders.
High-Quality, Longlasting Surf Trunks
So Sato Hughes joined the company in 1961, and the canvas shorts business soared.
The Japanese could make 13 shorts per day featuring four panels of sturdy fabric, a fly area, and a cinched waistband.
Nancy and Walter paid her $1.95 for each pair of trunks sewn.
The surfing stars of the time surrendered to the quality and comfort of the newly created trunks, with names like Eddie Aikau, Gerry Lopez, Shaun Tomson, Reno Abelliro, and Peter Townend wearing them regularly.
In 1967, Walter passed away; Nancy followed in 1986 and left the company to Hughes.
At the time, declined the generous offer.
“I said, ‘No, no, no. I’m sorry, I can’t do all this. I don’t want it,'” Sato revealed later in life.
And Nancy replied, “I never met anybody who works so good, so fast. I want to give it to you.”
Again, Sato said, “No! No! I can’t speak enough English. I can’t speak good to the customers.”
The truth is that she was left with almost no chance but to keep the business afloat.
The veteran Japanese seamstress, alongside her son Glenn, continued to run the original surf shop at Surfside Beach with the same dedication as the beloved founders.
Ultimately, Sato spent over 70 years sewing over 250,000 trunks and managing Katin.
She was known in the company as “The Machine,” working seven hours a day, five days a week, until her late 80s.
Fully Dedicated to Katin Surf Shop
At 4’11”, Hughes was kind, soft-spoken, warm, and always had a smile for those who met her.
“She leaves behind a legacy of hard work, creativity, and community spirit that helped revolutionize the surf industry,” Katin noted in an official statement.
“Beyond her contributions to surf culture, Sato was a cherished mother to her son, Glenn, and daughter-in-law Kim, and adored grandmother to Marshall.”
“Her handmade trunks and beautiful spirit will continue to be celebrated by the surfing community and fans alike. Rest in peace, Sato.”
Although Hughes never swam or surfed, she was passionate about the ocean and would hike to the Seal Beach pier at dawn.
Sato’s work ethic and passion for producing flawless custom-made surf trunks that could last decades is undeniable.
Surfers of all generations who met her and were fortunate to own a pair of boardshorts built and sewn by the Japanese seamstress will never forget her.
“The Machine” will forever live at 16250 Pacific Coast Highway, the home of Katin Surf Shop’s flagship store.
Words by Luís MP | Founder of SurferToday.com
