Beach ready Billabong cowboy hat. Straw cowboy hat in light and airy finish that makes it a warm-weather fave. An icon in the surf industry for decades, Australian brand Billabong got its start when founder Gordon Merchant started producing board shorts by hand in 1973. Now, they maintain a prominent presence among surfers, while also creating swimwear that looks just as good lounging on the beach as it does riding the waves.