Ocean & Earth was founded in Australia in 1978 by Brian Cregan and Graham Williams. Initially O&E produced a few simple surf products and consisted of a small team of three employees, but over time grew by building a network of retailers across New South Wales and Southern Queensland. Through years of trial and error, product development grew stronger thanks to O&E's talented staff of passionate surfers and innovators.
In the early 1980s, Brian continued to build O&E's legacy through word of mouth during his surfing trips around the world. In 1986, a 500 square meter factory was built, further improving the brand's efficiency. Sussex Inlet's initial direct sales force was eventually replaced by separate distributors around the globe, and by the late 1980s Ocean & Earth's product line had grown to include a wide range of premium surfing accessories and apparel. In 2010, O&E introduced the "World's Strongest Leash" - a fully molded surf leash that provides superior strength compared to traditional three-piece, heat-welded leash construction.