Exhibit 99.1

CERTIFICATION UNDER SECTION 906

OF THE

SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of West Marine, Inc. (the “Company”) for the period ended September 28, 2002 (the “Report”), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as of the date hereof, I, John H. Edmondson, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to the best of my knowledge:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

By:	/s/    JOHN H. EDMONDSON
	John H. Edmondson Chief Executive Officer

Date:    November 11, 2002