Favorite Pawleys Island Faces and Places - Scott Benston, Surf the Earth

You may have seen my post a couple of weeks ago about the Pawleys Island surf scene. There are a handful of fantastic surfers, young and old, in Pawleys. But, there is only one surf shop in Pawleys Island, and that is Surf the Earth, owned by Scott Benston.

Scott and his beautiful wife, Deanna, opened Surf the Earth in 2000. The shop is now located on the East side on Highway 17 at 47 Da Gullah Way. Surf the Earth is so much more than just surfboards, surf baggies, bikinis, and surf wax. The shop also offers sales and rentals of surf kayaks and paddleboards (pictured below) as well as a selection of skateboards, flip flops, and beach fashions. Deanna has an impeccable eye for choosing the latest hip clothes for tourists and locals to sport around town and at the beach.

Surf Camps are offered for kids starting this week! Monday through Friday from 9AM-12:30PM on Pawleys Island. Camps are now offered at the Litchfield Inn on Tuesday and Thursday from 9AM-noon. 

Surf the Earth also has programs affiliated with Huntington Beach State Park and Hobcaw Barony, offering paddleboard and kayak tours through these scenic locations. Call Scott or one of his friendly staff at 843-235-3500 or visit the Surf the Earth website for more details.

Scott is one of Pawleys Island's friendliest faces, always smiling and offering a kind word. Who could blame him? He owns a surf shop! He and Deanna have three beautiful children and if they are not working hard in the shop, you can find them down by the Pawleys Island pier enjoying the surf, sun, and sand. 

Stop by Surf the Earth today and then head for the beach!!

One more great reason to visit or make the move to Pawleys Island...

Happy House Hunting!

Parking on Pawleys

Memorial Day weekend is second only to Fourth of July for quantity of people heading to the beach on Pawleys Island. It is kind of a madhouse!! One of the most major issues for locals and tourists alike is where to park. Unless you are staying on the island in one of the beach or creek houses, you get to fight over parking like the rest of us.

Pawleys Island has very limited public parking. That statement might make some locals chuckle. There are 6 spots for beach access with established parking on the island. The most extensive is the South End parking lot which has a fair amount of parking spots and even portable toilets for public use. There are 2 more public parking accesses on the South side of Pawleys, and 3 on the North side, the most popular being "Beach Access" at the pier. Oversized SUVs and vehicles longer than 19 feet are not allowed to use public beach access parking. The law was established to keep larger vehicles from blocking other cars in and out of beach access.

Other than the limited beach access parking, you have to find parking on the street. Be sure to watch for "No Parking Here to Corner" and other signs limiting parking. Disobeying these indicators will result in a ticket. These signs were installed for safety in improving sight lines for traffic and pedestrians.

If you don't see a sign, and you are not blocking a beach house driveway, you may park on the street as long as your wheels are ALL THE WAY OFF THE ROAD.  Get those wheels on the outside of the solid line, or you will most likely end up with a ticket.

At the time of the photo, this car did not have a ticket (yet...),  but he was sure pushing his luck with those wheels being on the road. Better safe than sorry I say!

Trouble is, especially on holidays, everyone wants to be at the beach where their friends are...on Pawleys Island. If you live in Hagley Estates, Ricefields, Allston Plantation, or other neighborhoods on the Pawleys Island Mainland (and are NOT associated with Litchfield By The Sea), chances are you will be out hunting for parking with a great deal of competition. The deal is to relax, be patient, and fall in with the Pawleys Island way of life: Easy Does It! Go around the block a couple of times...someone is bound to be leaving soon...

You may have better luck finding parking at one of the North Litchfield beach access parking areas, or the large parking area across from the Litchfield Inn on South Litchfield. A great option is to rent an oceanfront or off-ocean house on Litchfield or Pawleys. Call Litchfield Real Estate today!

Have a great summer...enjoy! Happy Hunting...for parking!!