A top surfer that ruled the waves not only in San Diego but Hawaii, where year after year he was accepted into the Pipeline Crew and as a WindanSea Surf Club member.

Joe started his ding repair business 45 years ago and through the years has serviced so many surfboard repairs and has employed many surfers to help service the demand. Joe has glassed many surfboards in his time and is at the top of this profession. His family owned factory is currently among the BEST at offering quality glass jobs.

Using his skills, he has donated his time and abilities to countless events. Donating his swag of products to any and all events for decades. No event in San Diego has gone without the support of Joe Roper. Gift Certificates, ding repairs, new surfboard glass jobs are amongst Joes donations not to mention his time and expertise behind a grill. Manning the hamburger/hotdog grill for the WSC Menehune event for the youngest of surfers, and Father Joe’s Day at the Beach for underprivileged kids year after year has been Joe Ropers calling. Joes fish tacos are legendary. Surf Contests and other sur events have enjoyed his taco creations. One event was the Rough water swim at La Jolla Cove. For many years Joe showed up to see his fish tacos. A record over a thousand served in a day. Joe repairs many fisherman’s’ surfboards and trades for fish to supply these events often raising hundreds of dollars for the organizers of their events. TIME, MONEY and Joes expertise has been donated by him so many times, making the San Diego Surf Scene a pleasure to be a part of for surfers and beach goers alike.

The UCSD Moores Cancer Center Luau is another event supported by Roper for 25 consecutive years. This Surfing for a Cure event has raised over 8 Million dollars for cancer research in which donated glass jobs and restored classics that Joe donates is a significant part of this 8 Million bucks. Quite a few local surfers have benefited from this research. Ombac, Boys to Men, 100 Hundred Wave, Jetty Kids, City of Hope and more are other events that have received Joes support over the years.

Joe is always doing his part above and beyond expectations So many times an old classic board relating to one of the local surfers life comes into Joes Shop. He has unselfishly restored, buffed out and presented these boards to the surprise of the unknowing recipient spreading more stoke from his efforts. Joe Roper has been doing more than his part to spread stoke in San Diego, All for the Aloha and never for his own Glory. Joe Roper, Surfer, Entrepreneur, giver of his time and relentless doer of “doing the right thing for others” has been Joe Roper’s calling for over 45 years.

Geez, have a mentioned how much his has inspired his own family to contribute? All part of Joe Ropers legacy.

–Hank Warner