The diehard surfers of Southern New England epitomize the spirit of perseverance and dedication. Their courage and passion, together with the local surf shops that support them, demonstrate just how much they contribute to the prosperity and distinctive character of the region. As winter storms pounded the coast this winter, surfers remained steadfast, embracing the challenge, and seeking the exhilaration that only waves can provide, especially waves on the south-facing beaches on Aquidneck Island, across the Bay to Point Judith, Deep Hole, and all the way to Westerly.
Conrad Ferla, who manages Narragansett Surf and Skate, exclaimed about this winter’s surf conditions, “I’m surfing my brains out!” when reached just as he was exiting the water on a beautiful day in April. He added that the surf has been really good but “Business has been like the economy, up and down” Noting he does business from Virginia Beach to Acadia, Maine.
His comments reinforce that not only do local surf shops play a pivotal role in supporting enthusiasts, but they also provide an economic boost to the broader community at a time when dollars from the tourism industry wanes. They provide a hub for surfers of all ages to connect, share experiences, and seek advice on the best breaks, changes in conditions, and new technology from veterans and store personnel. The shops are also the best places to find a wide range of surf gear, from high-quality boards and wetsuits to accessories like leashes and wax, or get leads on who might be looking to sell used gear.
Walle Hutton of RI Surf Co. in Westerly echoed that sentiment, even though he said his shop scales back hours in the winter, it allows him to work on the creative side. Not only did he get to take a lot of photos, but he also got to collaborate with Tim Jump from Secula Surf in Charleston, SC to handcraft innovatively shaped boards saying, “Winter was the time to fine-tune it.”
Surfers are driven, highly skilled, and experienced, allowing them to navigate the turbulent waters with finesse and precision. Their ability to read the waves, anticipate currents, and maintain balance has also alerted them to the fact that the shore has been changing.
Longtime professional staff photographer and now freelancer, Harold Hanka, who has taken thousands of shoreline photos says, “Reefs that create breaches are moving, and that contributes to the waves shifting and holes filling in.” Overall, his analysis is that waves are breaking closer to shore since the sand reefs have moved and breaks are “just shorter in general.”
Fred King at Island Surf and Sport in Middletown talked about how COVID caused an influx of new business from “so many younger women” and how he’s seen them develop since, ”many with incredible athleticism and surfing skills.”
Since surfing is as much art as it is science, surfers embody the kind of unwavering dedication to their craft that King mentioned. They spend countless hours practicing, studying weather patterns, and analyzing the tides to ensure they can display their artistry, carving up waves, executing a perfect floater, riding tubes, and grabbing as much air as they can on the next swell. Their love for surfing is unwavering, even when faced with freezing temperatures, howling winds, and choppy seas.
In conclusion, surf shops in Southern New England are more than just retail stores; they contribute to the vibrant beach culture of the region, in many cases intersecting with other outdoor sporting groups, environmentalists, indigenous communities, and agri- and aquaculturists. Some shops also organize surfing events, competitions, and festivals, fostering a sense of community and environmental stewardship. King points out that Island Surf has a surf camp that gives lessons at Surfer’s End the last week of June through Labor Day at Second Beach. RI Surf Co.’s Hutton is also involved in the community and is helping to plan a “Celebration of Surf” music/surf festival in August in Misquamicut.
For more information on what’s going on in the surfing community, check out some of the resources mentioned in the story at their websites listed below:
Good Read and great for the community update
Thanks .
T-Man