Favorite VA Beach surf shop?

Freedom on Laskin.

 

The one at the mall or the one on the strip?

 

i got to go wrv not the biggest fan of their boards but they have a big selection and the prices are to bad

 

when you say you have not found any good local places is that implying you just moved here ?

 

I really liked RK's Surf Shop, which I've only visited a few times on my way through. Those 17th St shops were about as good as a PacSun and I steered clear. (I believe they were across the st from each other)

 

wrv is where its at, they have got a much better selection of gear than other places. and i love their boards

 

scypher, I'm guessing you've just moved here if those are your choices.

Coastal Edge is the least core it gets, example being they have a shop in the mall as ughVeeBee pointed out.

WRV has now become the Walmart of surf shops. Sure, plenty of choices, etc. but they are way out of control there, prices are high, and store employees are rude if you aren't in their little circle (with the exception of a couple nice ones that are knowledgable).

Check Freedom on Laskin, near Hilltop. Or just find a local shaper.

 

lol, i don't think he got it

I went to WRV for a trac pad. As a rider of log I never needed one and had no idea how expensive they can be, and asked the kid if they had a shop brand pad that was cheaper. He told me to go shop craigslist with the rest of the kooks and walked off. I used to really love that place, still do but it just aint the same.

The new RK isn't bad, but seeing they have the new fancy shop I'd be wary of how they're paying their new lease.

And hey, Austin has a new shop just down the road from WRV. David and Goliath within a block of each other. Looks like a good joint, though.

 

My 2 cents

RK's is a great place, good people. Same with WRV. It's only a big corporate place because of the support of people here and the Outer Banks, so please don't act like those guys are "the man" because it's simply not true. Despite the big fancy store, they're still very helpful and friendly. They also have some sick boards. I haven't seen Austin yet, will have to check it out, so thanks for the input.

17th St and Coastal Edge...more like PacSun with a few boards off to the side, or at least that's the impression I got, though 17th St. did sell me a brand-spanking new 7'10'' pintail for 150 bucks, so that's pretty cool.

When looking for a new board, it's always better to just be patient. I'd love to support a local shaper and get a custom as well, so if anyone on here would like to make me a sweet single fin or quad, just let me know! Thanks.

-Matt

 

vb surf shops

freedom is pretty good.wrv has alot more selection but some of the guys who work there could care less.oh yeah corner 24 is pretty good if Kevin still works there.

 

....dont forget about Hotline

 

Absolutely. Dave & his crew are definately the real deal. He's got Rainbow, CI, Rusty, blah, blah, blah and his wetsuit stock is really decent, as well.

I've never had a problem with the service at WRV. They've always been willing help me. It just doesn't feel like a surf shop to me, though. I guess it's that Walmart-esque that mattyhams is talking about.

I know if I spend a dollar at Freedom, it goes to supports a small business. I have a weird feeling when I buy at WRV...like it goes to a bunch of share holders or something. I'm not saying that's the case, just feels like it.

 

surf shops

Beach Board House

 

i agree. +1 but i think 2 others that i love are rks and PBH. although wrv is the best

 

Beach Board House(Austins) or Freedom.

 

if you are looking to get a single fin custom go talk to Bill Frierson. He is a really nice guy. He made me a 5'9 quad and i absolutely love it. He has a small shop tucked in by seatack elementary school. Just by luck we both ended up seeing each other in Kauai about 2 weeks ago and we paddled out and surfed together. But i absolutley love that board..l favorite board in my quiver. Other shops i like are Whalebone, friendly guys the prices are a little high or WRV although I think the guys that work there think theyre all that.

 

Austin Surf Shop (formerly BBH) carries handcrafted, quality boards. Not cheap, but you get quality, what you want and they are not cheap overseas boards (most of the stock at WRV, RK's, etc. are offshore boards made by machines, cheap labor). Board bags and wax, too.

RK's has some interesting spots - have made several purchases there in the past (mostly Birdwell Beach Britches). Staffers are inconsistent these days. Not as high on my list anymore.

WRV. Oh, I miss ol' Bob White and the old store. WRV has become very corporate - their lawyers even came after me for unintentionally using the term "alternative wave riding vehicles" in a website posting. Bob White's daughter rolled her eyes on that one. Nonetheless, I have stumbled upon some very good deals on wetsuits, or the staff has cut me a very good deal (good O'Neil 3/2 and an O'Neil 4/3). Used to be able to custom order 2 inch fiberglass side bite fins made by some of their shaper/glassers - not any more.

Freedom. Not a bad shop. Good knowledgeable staff and owner. I'd consider taking some business their way.

17th Street. Mostly a joke. Rather limited inventory in my opinion. Their working staff the past couple of times I was there were extremely lacking.

Pungo Boardhouse is worth a visit if you are on the way towards Sandbridge.

 

Very sad to hear that...surfing was and still should be an alternative lifestyle, apart from the mainstream. When we start crying to the judge, that's when we might as well start wearing power suits and drink martini's. I'm not saying success is wrong or that WRV sucks (far from it!), but you gotta stay true to your roots, and surfing's roots are NOT in law. I just hope they take a deep breath and realize that sort of thing is totally contrary to the aloha spirit.
That being said, I'm sure quiksilver or rip curl or any of the giant companies would do the same, but that's because they've branched out from strictly surfing and into "surf clothing" and what not. I don't blame them. Heck, if I could sell boardshorts and hoodies to a bunch of kooks and make a nice living out of it, I would, and I think most of the people here would do the same. When it comes to boards though, there's something sacred, and that's why I will ALWAYS pay an extra few bucks for that special board. It's not just equipment, it's a work of art, and I take pleasure in supporting the hard work of someone sacrificing their time and effort to build a me a magic board. Anyhow, there's my rant, off to wal-mart to buy a stack of foamies for my surf school! jk

Live Aloha,
Matt