About Miramar®, Queen & King of the Beach®, Queen & King of the Court® and the Brands and Events

THE MIRAMAR JOURNEY AND THE CROWN BRANDS

MIRAMAR® — AMERICAN RIVIERA BRANDS™

Founded 1983 • Miramar Beach, California

Miramar® and King of the Beach® were born in 1983 on the Golden Shores of Miramar Beach near Santa Barbara, California—today home of the Rosewood Miramar Beach Montecito. Alongside the iconic Sideout® brand, these American Riviera Brands™ were built on a belief that life on the beach unlocks a higher level of consciousness, creativity, and purpose.

Rooted in global volleyball, surf, and the California beach lifestyle, Miramar has spent over four decades creating products and experiences that elevate the journey toward the sea.

A LEGACY OF SPORT, STYLE & GLOBAL INFLUENCE

Miramar® is known for high-quality apparel, outerwear, footwear, accessories, and the world-famous King of the Beach® volleyballs—and for holding and sponsoring some of the greatest beach events on the planet.

Today, Miramar is a proud global partner in the King & Queen of the Court® Crown Series, together with Sportworx and Wilco Nijland, bringing elite competition and broadcast events to millions around the world.

Miramar® King of the Beach® products are designed to enhance your lifestyle under one unified philosophy:

Live the Journey to the Sea™.

ORIGINS & HISTORY (1983–PRESENT)

Where the beach lifestyle became a movement.

Miramar’s story begins in 1983, when Stephen Ascher—fresh from UC Berkeley, where he played NCAA and Club volleyball and won two national championships as setter—met beach volleyball legend Sinjin Smith at the MAGIC trade show in Los Angeles.

That meeting sparked a lifelong partnership and launched a wave of innovation across surf, volleyball, and beach culture.

From “Jaws Comes to Life 2016” (a Miramar® photo by Tom Servais) to the legendary 1989 Miramar® King of the Beach® Team in Cabo San Lucas, the brand’s early years carved out a new era of global beach sport and lifestyle.

For over 40 years, the Miramar®, King & Queen of the Beach®, and King & Queen of the Court® brands have ruled the sea and sand—uniting athletes, artists, musicians, surfers, and fans into a shared global consciousness.

THE SINJIN SMITH ERA — FOUNDATION OF A SPORT

No athlete shaped modern beach volleyball more than Sinjin Smith, often referred to as the “Face of the Sport.”

His 1988 Sideout® King of the Beach® poster—neon volleys, ESPN cameras spinning—remains one of the most famous volleyball posters ever made and sits in the Miramar® archives.

Smith’s earliest partnership with Karch Kiraly set the stage for a dynasty. Kiraly would go on to win 148 titles (a record), including 110 with Kent Steffes, while Smith amassed 139 wins himself.

Smith and longtime partner Randy Stoklos became unstoppable, winning:

114 Opens together
Over 50% of the tournaments they entered
Top-three finishes in over 80% of events

Their dominance inspired the nickname “Kings of the Beach” and “Kings of Rio.”

Brazil even immortalized them in a hip-hop anthem: “The Kings of Rio.”

These athletes transformed beach volleyball from a local pastime into a global sport—and Miramar® was there from the beginning.

THE 1984 OLYMPIC CATALYST

When Karch Kiraly led Team USA to gold at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, the country witnessed the birth of a cultural movement.

Beach volleyball exploded.

The California beach aesthetic went global.

And “King of the Beach®” became not just a title—but an identity.

Throughout the ’80s and ’90s, Stephen Ascher traveled the world with Miramar® athletes, including Smith and Sideout® players, forging the brand’s deep roots in surf and volleyball culture.

Smith and Stoklos dominated the World Championships in Rio de Janeiro, earning their place in history forever as the “Kings of Rio.”

LEGENDS OF THE MARK — WHAT “KING OF THE BEACH®” MEANS

The Miramar® “King of the Beach® / Queen of the Beach® / King of the Court® / Queen of the Court®” trademarks are tied to some of the greatest watermen and athletes in history.

DUKE KAHANAMOKU — The Original King

Before volleyball took hold, Duke Kahanamoku—Olympic swimmer, surfer, lifeguard, sheriff, and Hawaiian icon—was widely known as the first King of the Beach.

His influence spread surfing worldwide and set the tone for every beach lifestyle brand to follow.

KARCH KIRALY — The Greatest Volleyball Player of All Time

The FIVB honored Karch Kiraly as the greatest volleyball player of the 20th Century.

He is the only athlete with Olympic gold medals in:

Indoor Volleyball
Beach Volleyball

And later earned gold again as Head Coach of the U.S. Women’s National Team.

Miramar® and King of the Beach® became synonymous with the sport’s golden era because of athletes like Kiraly.

KELLY SLATER — The Modern King

11-time World Surf League Champion.

Cultural icon.

The most dominant surfer in history.

Kelly Slater embodies the same philosophy that inspired Miramar® since 1983—a life pushed by passion, mastery, and the sea.

THE BEST BEACH VOLLEYBALLS IN THE WORLD

Beginning with Mikasa in 1988 and later Spalding (2005–2020), Miramar® helped develop the benchmark for professional beach volleyball balls.

Today’s Miramar® King of the Beach® Tour Ball by Mikasa® was tested and perfected by Karch Kiraly himself.

This is the ball that defined generations of champions.

TODAY — A GLOBAL LIFESTYLE MOVEMENT

Miramar®, King & Queen of the Beach®, and King & Queen of the Court® continue to expand worldwide, uniting global events, elite athletes, surf culture, music, and the California beach lifestyle into a single philosophy:

It’s Good to Be King.™

It’s Good to Be Queen.™

Miramar is part of Omnichannel World, LLC, a leader in global apparel and lifestyle brands.

MIRAMAR® | Queen & King of the Beach® | Queen & King of the Court®

American Riviera Brands™