Bruce Irons, Koa Rothman, Peter And John Mel Sign With Bodybuilding x Surf Brand
Darc Sport plants their black flag in Oahu and Santa Cruz to stake claim in surfing.
Less than a month ago, the mountains of Oahu’s windward side served as the backdrop for a group photo that could have easily been mistaken for a special ops training camp, days away from embarking on a mission to topple a communist dictatorship in a developing nation.
Among the crew were Bruce Irons, Koa Rothman, Alessa Quizon, and her world champion MMA husband Max Holloway. All individuals were clad in black training attire and flanked by a black flag featuring a wolf insignia — a sight that might inspire bouts of PTSD in those who frequented the North Shore during the early 2000s.
But aside from the purposely misspelled brand name and canine allusions, Darc Sport shows no signs of handing out whistles to their new team riders anytime soon.
What is Darc Sport?
An offshoot from Civil Regime — a brand founded by the Civil brothers — Darc Sport was established in 2015, “by bodybuilders for bodybuilders”. Since then, the brand has seen rapid “gainz” and ventured into the oft-delusive world of fitness influencers, before branching into MMA and surfing.
Recruiting the likes of Bruce Irons, Koa Rothman, Alessa Quizon, and her UFC fighter husband, Max Holloway, it would be near impossible to skirt the connection between infamous Hawaiian brands/groups such as The Wolfpak and Da Hui. When asked for comment, Michael Civil, one of the founders and a devout bodybuilder from Torrance, California, was brief: “We’re not directly influenced but definitely know the history of both and respect them.”
Strategically launching their foray into the surf space from its spiritual birthplace, Darc Sport has now expanded their team into continental territory by signing Santa Cruz father-son duo, Peter and John Mel. With the furrowed brow you might recognize from live dissections of interference calls, Peter wears a sweatshirt ($60) with the word “Ohana” across the chest. A caption announces the newly forged alliance: “It’s not WHO wears it… But WHY. NFGU”
“Our mission is to spread our energy of NFGU (Never F*cking Give Up). Surfing, mixed martial arts, running, and bodybuilding are areas where we have selected people to hold up our flag and represent what we stand for.” Civil continues, “Our energy has helped people dealing with cancer, mental health, addiction, and much more. Our brand’s message and energy goes far beyond the sports and cultures we represent.”
Although Darc Sport has had virtually no presence in the surfing world to date, it seems to be doing well in the athleisure space, which was reportedly worth USD 358.07 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at an annual rate of 9.3% from 2024 to 2030. Blending aesthetics that hark back to a monochromatic crossover between Fox Racing and Ed Hardy, the brand seems to have built a considerable cult following, or so the people who tattoo the DS logo across their virgin skin might suggest. Either way, chances are that a decent amount of product is moving.
Stab had no access to the numbers printed on these contracts, but as the saying goes, “In wartime, every hole is a trench.” Rothman, the Mels, and Quizon were all under the ABG umbrella at some stage, which seems big enough to harbor a couple handfuls of brands, but not enough to save some of the faces that helped make them.
Regarding Darc Sport’s particular interest in surfing, Civil wrote: “Surfing/the ocean has a spiritual side… I’ve always been attracted to that side of surfing. I’d like to approach the surf world through our lens with a more stoic/spiritual energy… and have the right people stand beside US to represent who we are and what we represent.”
Civil further articulated the brand’s core values: “We highlight the grit before the glory, the struggle before success, letting our actions make the noise. It’s not WHO wears it… but WHY. It’s not for everyone… it’s for US. Wolves Forever.”
Straight from the wolf’s mouth.
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