Welcome to Surf City Surf Shop, Wrightsville Beach NC.
When and why did you start this business?
I started as a shop rat in the late 80′s, worked thru my high school and college years running the business solo for a couple years before inking a deal in 2003. Fortunate enough to be at the right place at the right time when I bought Surf City Surf Shop from Roy Turner, (current Surf Expo show director), and Mark Allison, (current owner of Surf City Surf Shop Myrtle Beach SC) because I needed a real job??????
What is your favorite part of running this business?
The feeling I get seeing the groms stoked on a lifestyle and sport that I have loved since I was a grom.
The groms are the essence of the business, if you can make the kids believe in what you have going on and show the kids that you are core to the sport, you will go everywhere in this business. I like to be able to try a little bit of what the kids are riding, skating, snowboarding, the works and in turn be better prepared to talk about it when they come in the store.
Need a surfboard? Surf City has you covered.
Lets us know a little more about your surf team. You have some of the best groms around, who are they?
Yeah, you gotta put the props out there to the Mincher boys, Jonathan and Dillon Mincher. Zach and Nick Bland are killing it along with Dalton Gilley and Pete Viele is the actual Team Manager so he has been doing a great job at keeping everyone heading in the right direction.
What’s the local scene in your area? Any spots worth mentioning?
As far as the surf scene goes, when it’s on, I surf Masonboro Island. Most days I can be found North side of Johnny Mercers pier scrapping for the left bowl. The skateboard takes me to the Skate Barn in Hampstead NC. Late nights I gravitate towards The King Neptune for a cold one and Red Dogs to have a look at the scenery.
What’s the most exciting development in action sports in the past year–from your perspective?
The reinvention of the Americana side of surf. Clean, less logo driven timeless work ware styling with the specialty store being the key outlet. RVCA guys are a great representation of this plus they were the SIMA Brand of the Year. Back these guys with more art driven tee shirts, less logo driven tee shirts. The days of the big logo back hit tee are over. Our customers are looking for more art driven, clean clothing designs. This clothing style allows us to stand out and represent who we truly are instead of the big billboard logo styled shirts of the past.
Fully equipped skate section with everything you could need.
Which athletes do you follow?
I tend not to be star struck, but Dane Reynolds is interesting. Dion Agius and Jordy Smith are my favorites along with our local hero, Ben Bourgeois.
You just had your 33rd Annual Tent Sale. How was it and what other events do you have coming up?
Yeah, this event has become a happening in the parking lot and this year it was the biggest by far. We had the most product available to date and we turned the most units plus it was a pretty day at the beach. Can’t ask for too much more when you are doing an outside event. As far as our upcoming events, we have a brand new patio that we just built out in front of the shop where we will be putting on a series of summer barbeques. They will be company sponsored so check our Facebook page out for events and happenings so you don’t miss one of our barbeques on the porch.
What do I want? Mom, can I have it all???
Any new products or product developments that you’re excited about?
Stretch boardies are really moving now. Personally, I am supporting the Volcom Annihilator Series or the Dusty Payne series shorts with grid stretch. These shorts have an actual coating on the outside that keeps the water out of the short which prevents them from getting heavy or weighing you down. We are also backing the Recycler Series from Billabong and you can’t forget about the Hurley Phantom – the stretchiest board short in the business. Also, the Brig from Quiksilver is a diamond dobby tech stretch that fits incredibly and gives you the style to match.
What about the stitchless wetsuits?
Most of your companies are pushing some type of stitchless technology and the ones that we are backing are companies like Xcel. They have a great update to their Drylock Series suit. Even though it is not stitchless, it is a great update to an amazing suit. They have a new neck closure, water proof coatings on the outside and bamboo charcoal infused polypropylene chest liners that are super warm. The Quiksilver people have figured out their Cypher series suit big time. The chest entry is fantastic, polypropylene lined with flexed tape which makes it a really good suit. The Psycho 2, Super Freak, Psycho Freak Series from O’Neill is the best, but you better have the pocket book to buy it. It does have all the bells and whistles stuffed into a really user friendly suit.
Just for the ladies…
What is going on with surfboards? You spoke of the Mini Simmons concept. Tell me a little more about that and how that is changing the surfboard appetite of your customers.
Short, wide, thick, flat- everything you need in a surfboard that can be ridden 75% of the time in Wrightsville Beach. It’s an old concept with a new interpretation. They are mixing it up with some quads and tri fins, epoxy builds, and even boards under the 5 foot range. Basically, plank like surfboards that can be ridden in 75% of the surf we have on the East Coast. Maybe not what I want to ride when the surf is good, but a board that gets you out to the beach and making turns 75-90% of the days here at Wrightsville Beach.
How about a special deal for someone coming in and mentioning that they found you on ASN?
Service with a smile! 15% off all board shorts by mentioning ASN
For more info on Surf City Surf Shop, check out their ASN profile or visit their website.
Check out one of Surf City’s team riders Nick Bland having fun with some summer time surf.
