Pawleys Island Surf Scene

You might be surprised to find that Pawleys Island has an intense and active surf scene. I "married into the mob" so to speak.  My husband, Tommy, has been a surfer all his life. He stood on a surfboard not long after he learned to walk.  It certainly helps that his Mom ran a surf shop in Surfside Beach when he was growing up. So, I am always welcome out in the line-up since my husband knows all the local hot shots. In fact, he IS one of the local hot shots!

My husband with his surfing trophies, in front of his Mom's surf shop, circa 1980-something!

The thing about Pawleys Island surfing, is that the waves are not always what you would call epic. But, when it is "going off", EVERYONE who is anyone in the local surf scene is at the beach.  Most of the general public will think of big, beautiful West Coast waves and Hawaiian surf breaks when they imagine world class surfing. They may not be aware that Kelly Slater, 11 time ASP surfing World Champion, started out surfing East Coast waves.  Our East Coast waves may be smaller, but they are mighty!

My observation is that our more modest and mellow waves develop better and highly skilled surfers. The reasoning is that the nature of our waves makes our surfers more grateful for good waves, more selective, and thus more aggressive in a competition situation. Take Luke Gordon, for example.  Luke is an 11-year-old local Pawleys Island legend in the making, winning titles alongside local Garden City super stars, Cam and Cole Richards.  If Luke is not off hanging around fellow Quicksilver endorsee Kelly Slater, catching waves at some world-class surf break in the tropics, you will find him at the Pawleys Island Pier, slashing every wave he catches. (Click here to see Luke in action.) And, Luke is in good company at the pier, since there are always a ton of local kids (guys and girls, young and old!) out in the water with him.

If you are visiting or relocating to Pawleys Island with the kids, and they would like to try surfing, check in with Scott Benston at his local surf shop, Surf the Earth. He offers a fantastic surf camp for kids of all ages. Year round, you can rent surfboards, kayaks, or paddle boards to explore the local waters. Surf the Earth also offers some outrageously fashionable clothes that you ladies might want to check out while you are hanging out, renting boards, etc. Ask Scott's beautiful wife, Deanna to help you!

On Sunday, April 22, 2012, Earth Day was also Surf Day in Pawleys Island. I hit the beach with my family so my husband could catch some surf and I could catch some photos! (I am also an avid surfer, but when my daughter, Roxie is with me, I would much rather play with her that hit the waves!) It was a great day for Pawleys Island waves and the surfers were all smiles.

Tommy catching a beautiful backside left.

Frontside right...

Unknown local surfer catching some air!

Have a fabulous day everyone!

Rachel