Why it belongs in ORBIS
French surfwear brand founded in 1985 in Pont-Audemer, Normandy, as a ski company before expanding into boardsports; relocated headquarters to Merignac, near Bordeaux, in 1987. Launched the Longboard World Championship in 1991; part of the Lafuma group since 2005.
Oxbow was founded in 1985 in Pont-Audemer, in Normandy, initially as a ski-focused company before broadening into surf and boardsports. The company moved its base to Merignac, a suburb of Bordeaux, in 1987, choosing the area for its proximity to the surf breaks around Lacanau-Ocean on the Atlantic coast. In 1991 Oxbow launched the Longboard World Championship. The brand became affiliated with the French outdoor group Lafuma in 2005. Oxbow's current registered headquarters address is in Merignac.