Born in Brooklyn, New York, son of a white Jewish mother and a black Muslim father. My pops was a jeweler/artist. My Mother was a hustler! My family left Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn around 1975 to St. Thomas USVI (United States Virgin Islands). I was 6 years old at the time. We lived on the island for about 7 years. That’s where my passion and love of surfing began. Our home was perched directly over a place called Hull Bay. Our house faced the Caribbean ocean. The main surf reef was clearly visible from our home. My mother would watch me surf while sitting on our porch. She would yell at me to come home all the time. “Mom, it's only 7pm.” “Boy, you have school in the morning!” I was literally a mile out in the middle of the ocean, but it seemed so close to home. I can remember barracudas swimming under me as I paddled out from the beach to reef. My early years on the island were awesome! It is definitely the reason I’m so fond of sea urchins (T-URCHINS!). The first day on the island, I went into the ocean and stepped on a sea urchin. “Oh my GOD! What the fuck was that?!” The pain was terrible. I got a bunch of black needles stuck in my foot! The locals told me to pee on it! “Huh? Pee on my foot?!” “Yes, urine removes the spines!” Interesting… 

We moved back to New York around 1981. Far Rockaway Beach. Queens New York! “There’s an Ocean in NY? Where are the fish? Why can’t I see my feet in the water?” No white sand, no lizards, no coconut trees, no sea urchins. The waves break on the beach. No reefs, just dirty sand. The birth of Hip-Hop. Crack and cocaine floods New York City! I was 13 years old at the time. Woah, what a change! Let’s go! I’m an island boy in the hood! 

Fast forward to 1988. I graduated from Beach Channel High School. My high school was basically segregated. White kids lived uptown, black kids downtown. Housing projects and bungalows downtown. Beach homes and the Jordaches uptown. I’m a light-skinned kid that surfs, skateboards, listens to Rock and Hip-Hop, wears Run-DMC Adidas suits, Varunte glasses and checkerboard Van sneakers. I got along with the uptown surf rats and downtown drug dealers. Folks in my hood were confused when they saw me come out the building with my surfboard and a wetsuit, or even riding my skateboard to the beach. My girlfriend at the time was the manager of Rockaway Beach Surf Shop. Now? She is my wife of 35 years and counting! 

Everyone in Hip-Hop started wearing leather outfits. The look was dope and I wanted to be down. My father had worn leather pants when I was younger and had known how much they cost. I found a tannery in the city and got to work immediately. Creating all types of leather and suede outfits. Leather sports jerseys, leather sweatpants shorts with silk lining. My sister-in-law helped me tremendously! Her name is Fran Spero. She introduced me to many fashion stylists. The knowledge and experience provided me with the opportunities of creating outfits for many artists and entertainers. My style was “Leakin!” 

Leak Wear! Tees and sweats throughout my hood, then to all the entertainers I was affiliated with. Far Rock had its first brand, and I created it. I promoted Leak Wear 

everywhere I could. From shows in Vegas, concert merch, and my favorite artists representing the brand. Things were good. Was ready to drop TAADOW WEST matching khaki sets. Then unfortunately, 911 happened. Customs wouldn’t clear any merchandise, products that were ordered and paid for sat in containers for months. The world got strange, so I took a break. Spending time at home to raise my 3 sons and beautiful daughter while my wife worked on becoming a lawyer. 

We resided in Long Beach, New York for 30 years now. Long Beach is located right across the bridge from Far Rockaway. 

Running the streets for 15 years and chasing the bright lights made me lose focus of my love for surfing. However, when sports conversations would occur, I never spoke about baseball, basketball or football as much as my contemporaries would. I would tell people I love surfing. Looks of confusion on their faces, everytime. My love for the ocean runs deep. I’m a Pisces! 

Throughout my journey, I also get an eye opening response when I introduce myself. 

This is my company, and that’s my story. 

I would like to introduce: TAADOW SURF CLOTHING COMPANY 

Check it out please, thank you. 

~TAADOW