Surf House Carolina Beach

DESIGN THE NEXT SURF HOUSE TSHIRT!!!

2011-03-22T20:17:00.003-04:00

WE WANT YOU TO DESIGN OUR NEXT SURF HOUSE TSHIRT!

All submissions must be provided in PDF or JPEG format and created on a computer design program (such as Adobe Illustrator, etc.). Email submissions or questions to shop@surfhousenc.com.

We will judge submissions by May 5th.

All works will be considered issued to Surf House for the length of the summer and then returned to artist/designer property.

The goal here is to extend our community involvement and create opportunities for those to give back to charitable causes.

Designs can be a front, back, or front/back tee shirt design and must include the surf house name and/or flag icon. These images can be constructed by the artist/designer in any fashion they so choose. There is no structure beyond that, it is completely an artist's blank canvas.

We intend to have the designs printed on the shirts and ready for summer sales by the middle of June.

FIRST ANNUAL BOARD SWAP

2011-03-22T20:10:00.003-04:00

Want a new surf board but you are short on cash? Do you have too many surfboards and some that are just collecting dust? We have a GREAT option!

Sell your gently used gear, used short boards, longboards, paddleboards - trade with others wanting to do the same, bargain on your own - why bother with craigslist when you can hang out with good food, great music, and motivated buyers for your surf stuff!

- call to register what you want to sell 910.707.0422 - we will see you Saturday the 26th @ 9 a.m!

March Artist of the Month- Felice Kite

2011-03-01T08:37:00.002-05:00

Join us this Friday, March 4th for Artist of the Month reception from 7-8pm.

Her work is sure to put you in the Spring mood with her bright colors and whimsical feel.

See you Friday!

2010-11-10T09:29:00.003-05:00

BABY IT’S COLD OUTSIDE…and to celebrate the arrival of cold weather we are we are going to be tasting winter and seasonal brews this Friday.

The featured breweries are Victory, Smuttynose and one many of you are now familiar with, Bell’s.

Bell’s Winter White takes its cues from Belgian-style white ales, Bell's Winter White Ale offers a lighter yet abundantly flavorful alternative to the traditional heavy winter warmers. Fermented with Belgian ale yeast, this blend of barley & wheat malts yields a mixture of clove and fruity aromas, all without the use of any spices. Deliberately brewed to retain a cloudy appearance, Bell's Winter White Ale is a beer for embracing winter.

Smuttynose Winter Ale is a full-bodied, amber beer brewed with special Trappist ale yeast. Stylistically reminiscent of a Belgian Abbey Double, it features fruity aromas and flavor, balanced by soft Crystal hops. Warming, mellow & pleasantly complex, Smuttynose Winter Ale is your perfect cold weather companion.

Victory Festbier is seductively smooth, medium-bodied amber akin to the great Oktoberfest beers of Munich. All German malts and whole flower European hops make this lager true to style. This beer is only bottled September-November, so come and taste it, while this Victory beer is around!

And don’t forget, This Friday is also the launch party for Half United!

We can’t wait to see you! So, as always, sharpie us in on your calendar!

Holiday WISH LIST

2010-11-07T19:41:00.004-05:00

Dear Santa,

This year I have been a really good person. A new surf shop opened and they have great stuff. So, I am going to make this easy for you, here is my wish list from Surf House. Safe travels!

-Me

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Swing by Surf House and fill out your very own WISH LIST. All you have to do is ask for a wish list form and fill out the items that you want from our shop. And we will get it to YOUR Santa.

Easy, fun and sure to be the best gift or gifts under your tree.

Happy Shopping!

Retailer of the Month - Friday, November 12th

2010-11-07T19:15:00.003-05:00

Raise your hand if you knew Surf House carried clothing? Keep you hand raised if you knew that almost all of the brands that Surf House carries do something more than put clothes on YOUR back? Yep, we have more than killer hot chocolates & great sandwiches. We have clothing lines that have substance. We have a clothing line that provides shoes for kids in 3rd world countries. We have a clothing company that has a recycle program for their old used clothes. And so much more. . . .

This month we would like to introduce you to HALF.

HALF United is a clothing company fighting global hunger.

With every HALF purchase, you feed a child in need. SIMPLE.

Every year over half of the world's starving spend over half of their yearly income on food alone, and with 2.2 billion children in the world and nearly half of them living in poverty, we wanted to give you a way to turn these statistics around. Did you know that every time your purchase a HALF product, you feed a child in need? Sure, we want you to be proud of what you are getting, but at the end of the day we hope you can be most proud of what you are doing.

How can you do your part?

Every HALF product is connected to a different amount of meals being given. For example, when you purchase a HALF sweatshirt, the cost of 100 meals is factored into your overall purchase price. However, when you purchase something such as a HALF t-shirt you give 50 meals to a child in need. We want all of our customers, whether they have one dollar or 100 dollars to spend on a single product, to be proud of the fact that they have done their half to fight global hunger.

Currently HALF is feeding children in West Kalimantan Indonesia and Wilmington, North Carolina, with previous giving in Haiti and Fiji. We are well aware of the vast hunger need all over the world and are constantly researching where we can serve in the future.

Join us Friday, November 12th from 7-9pm -beer tasting, live music & the HALF Premier.

For more information on have find them on Facebook or www.halfunited.com.

Love Our Hot Chocolates? You'll love this weeks beer tasting!

2010-11-03T20:08:00.004-04:00

This week’s beer tasting is dedicated to all of you that love our hot chocolates! The beers being offered, all mirror flavors found in our hot chocolates. We chose to highlight four flavors: Old Fashioned, Nutella, Gingerbread and Coffee.

The beers being sampled are:

Bison Chocolate Stout: This richly textured, roasty dry stout has a boost of bitter and charismatic flavor from the addition of cocoa powder in the mash.

Ska Buster Nut Brown: Nut flavor is much more present in the mouth than you would have expected from the nose -- it comes across a little bitter, but it's really reminds me of a big, fat walnut. The combination of hops, chocolate, spice and bitterness come together in sensational brown ale!

Bison Gingerbread Ale: This spiced holiday porter is brewed with ginger, nutmeg and a touch of cinnamon, yielding the aroma of fresh backed gingerbread men!

Bell’s Java Stout: It is a winter seasonal that uses a custom blend of coffee beans, roasted to generate its intense flavor. Beer advocate gave it an A-.

These beers are sure to impress all of our devoted hot chocolate fans! We look forward to seeing you all Friday! And don’t forget… we are also doing a hot chocolate tasting Saturday night! So, make sure to sharpie us in on your calendars!

Friday Night Beer Tasting

2010-10-27T19:47:00.007-04:00

Friday Night Beer Tastings from 7-9pm

Q: What happens when you bread a duck with a rabbit?!

A: Who the heck knows but one thing we can tell ya is that Duck-Rabbit Brewery

in Farmville, NC is making some great beer.

This week (October 29th) we are featuring Duck-Rabbit Brewery. They are a small microbrewery specializing in full flavored dark beers. This week we will be featuring an Amber Ale, Milk Stout, and Marzen (Octoberfest).

The Duck-Rabbit Amber Ale is a medium bodied beer with a lovely tawny copper or bronze color. This brew emphasizes malt complexity with layered caramel malt flavors.

The Duck-Rabbit Milk Stout is a traditional full-bodied stout brewed with lactose (milk sugar). The subtle sweetness imparted by the lactose balances the sharpness of the highly roasted grains which give this delicious beer its black color.

The Duck-Rabbit Marzen is an Octoberfest. It pours light copper with notes of toasted grain. The Marzen has the sweetness of toffee and fruit with a goods balance of toasted malts. There is a light hop presence with a slight dryness.

We are proud to be featuring one of the area’s best microbreweries and look forward to sharing these fine beers with you. We will see you Friday night!

We have turned a year old!

2010-08-13T11:12:00.003-04:00

And as mentioned on facebook, that usually means - that like most things that turn one - we have managed to stay upright for small intervals of time, still mostly babble, and have begun to show meaningful definition in our legs . . . and as evidence here is a little video we put together of the past year. Thanks to all that have been involved so far, we look forward to many years ahead with more memories!

Get in on the Paddleboarding Outings at the shop!!

2010-07-17T23:57:00.002-04:00

Come by the shop to learn more about our new paddleboard outing schedule that is designed for both beginner and intermediate levels.

Outings will be priced to include a breakfast and free cup of coffee at the shop.

Hands Across the Sand - Protest Offshore Drilling

2010-06-28T17:56:00.001-04:00

At exactly noon on June 26, people on beaches across the United States performed the same simple act for 15 minutes to show their opposition to drilling. The Hands across the Sand movement began in February, with a group of Floridians protesting a proposed end to an oil drilling ban in the waters around the state. But after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, it took on a new life. Groups in California, Connecticut, Florida, and every other state participated in Saturday's event. Even in landlocked states, supporters held hands at designated areas in cities.

A Special Premiere Showing of 180 South

2010-06-10T08:39:00.002-04:00

We are so very pleased to share with you the long awaited and newest film from Chris Malloy 180 South. The documentary retraces the steps taken by Yvon Choinard and crew to Patagonia. It became a journey that changed the course of two men and launched the companies Patagonia and The North Face. It so too began the first understanding of the need to protect our environment. A GREAT, GREAT, GREAT film beautifully shot and wonderfully told.
Please come join us on Friday at 8 pm for this incredible film.

What's Moving the Needle at the Shop

2010-04-10T12:38:00.004-04:00

We occasionally like to remind people about what we are trying to create on the shop side, because there are so many cool new brands out there that continue to crop up!

The Big Brand Surf Names like Quicksilver, Billabong, RipCurl, Volcom, etc. once were isolated to little shops that used to dot coast lines. When you were little, you would go to the beach and come back with a shirt or a hat that would bear the mark and people were jealous of you and knew you had been to the beach. That isn't the case anymore with those brands. They are now just about everywhere, including malls in the middle of the country.

While that is great for those big name brands, it killed the unique little surf shop on the coast. The only shops that survived were those that were synonymous with surf towns (like in CA or FL), or those where the owners decided they would like to be surf shop owners as a hobby but running a business didn't really matter.

We chose a different route. We thought there was a way to revolutionize the old school surf shop where you could still find a unique buys that sparked an earlier generation to find stuff no one had ever seen before.

That is why we love brands like Hippy Tree. They totally carry the same stoke that launched Billabong and Quicksilver decades ago and still happen to rock a GREAT product.

So come get that unique buy that you can only find on the coast this year, and help launch the next great wave of surf apparel companies!

Steve Haydu Lo Tide Run

2010-03-11T18:57:00.002-05:00

Please take some time this Saturday if you can to go and support the runners and participants in this years Steve Haydu Lo Tide Run - a great cause with the all proceeds going toward cancer victims and their treatment.

And after you run, come by the shop for some good grub!

It's All About the Kids People . . .

2010-01-16T18:47:00.002-05:00

The Go Green Recycling Club at Carolina Beach Elementary School is really a great thing if you stop for a minute and think about it. A small community effort by program manager Carole Manzella, a group of teachers, and the students at raising their awareness for their environment and how everything they do can make a difference. Beyond typical recycling efforts the kids have built compost boxes and are attempting to make institutional changes in the county school system.

We think that is pretty cool, and as a part of raising awareness for the efforts, we recently promoted a % of food sales throughout the months of November and December that would be donated to the Club. So, we at Surf House are proud to say that by dining with us on Tuesdays and Wednesdays our guests helped in creating a significant contribution to the school and their program.

If you would like to learn more about the efforts ongoing at Carolina Beach Elementary School, please contact the school.

Surf Cinema this FRIDAY @ 8 p.m.! "SURFWISE"

2010-01-07T21:35:00.002-05:00

Surfwise is a documentary about the lives of Dorian "Doc" Paskowitz and his family. And as the story illustrates wonderfully, there are many different ways to drop off the grid, but few dropped off with such style and urgency as Dorian Paskowitz, the paterfamilias of what is lovingly and at times enviably described as the first family of surfing.

It was an intensity in part born of his passionately felt engagement with history as a Jew, which took him from Stanford Medical School in the 1940s to button-down respectability in the 1950s and, thereafter, on the road and into the blue yonder with a devoted wife, nine children, a succession of battered campers and the surfboards. It is an incredibly interesting depiction of the impact the lifestyle had on the children and the philosophy that set their course.

Check it out for free FRIDAY night at the shop for FREE and grab some good grub and a beer or glass of wine. See you there!

This Friday: A Twofor

2010-01-06T21:00:00.003-05:00

As mentioned a few post about getting back on the ball and we are so happy to announce a double-dose of action this Friday with a new feature artist opening and a great surf documentary.

FRIDAY @ 7 p.m. come meet Sabrina Buchanan and be among the first to see her talented works that will be on display all of January. We will have free appetizers on the bar and will be showing SURFWISE as our Surf Cinema showing this week - the movie starts at 8 p.m.

Happy New Year! Welcome to Mondays . . .

2010-01-03T20:27:00.002-05:00

After much demand, we have extended our days of the week to include Mondays. Our hours for the day will be the same as the other week days that we operate (8 a.m. - 8 p.m.) and we will be introducing a couple new members of our team! Come in and meet Windi and Sarah (if you haven't already) and keep finding us here to learn more about our shop and our plans for the new year.

Thank you to all of our guests who have been so good to us in these first few months. We hope you had a wonderful holiday season and are looking forward to a very happy new year!

Waking from our Slumber

2009-12-27T21:37:00.002-05:00

So it has been a little while since we blogged here as we have been very active in getting our shop prepared to run into the new year. We are very excited to be announcing that we are NOW OPEN MONDAYS! Because of all of our local support we have been able to add days to our week while many other local businesses are closing for the season! We are very thankful for the continued support and will be announcing more events that are coming as we bring in the new year with you our faithful guests! Stay tuned, we promise to be more active on our blog and continue to bring more exciting events in the coming week(s).

November Art Opening Reception - Raffa Paglia

2009-11-02T21:19:00.002-05:00

This Friday night we are hosting our second Monthly Artist Series opening reception with a chance to meet local artist Raffa Paglia.

Raffa's company is called CBboards and among many pieces will be his miniature scale moon, made primarily of recycled and repurposed materials, and a portion of it will also be filled with garbage collected on our local beaches.

The vision of his project is to make us more aware of our surroundings and the effect that each of us can have on the environment.

Come out this Friday @ 7 p.m. for the reception and see more of his work, snack on some free hors d' oeuvres, and catch Surf Cinema's "Surf Movie: Reels 1-14" at 8 p.m.

What are you planning for the next 2 years?

2009-10-16T19:15:00.002-04:00

Chance are, these a couple of these folks will have something to say about it if you live in Carolina Beach. At least, that is what we hope. Part of our community effort here is to get you involved in what happens to your community. There is no better place to start than understanding who you vote for and what they tell you and what they actually do when they get the chance. This isn't about politics as much as it is about action and change. Regardless of what you choose to believe about politics, disdain or rally, it effects you locally more than nationally.

So, if nothing else, come out and meet these people. Say hello. And if nothing else, expose yourself to the people that may be making the decisions for our community over the next couple of years.

Surfrider Foundation 25th Anniversary Celebration

2009-10-05T19:59:00.004-04:00

Surfrider Foundation is celebrating its 25th Anniversary this week on Oct. 9th with a pretty cool little shindig that features an art auction and a few music performances. If you are in the California area this week it might be worth your time and definitely a good party.

We won't be able to go, and likely few of you will either, but it is a great opportunity to highlight the local chapter and let you all know how you can learn more about participating locally in protecting our coast and waters. The Cape Fear Chapter is a very active group and the cause is as good as any out there, and as active.

Congrats Surfrider Foundation on 25 years of raising awareness in protecting our waters and coast and thank you.

October Feature Artist Opening Reception!

2009-09-29T18:10:00.003-04:00

Part of our community effort here at Surf House is about creating event opportunities that provide an outlet for our guests to meet each other and socialize in a group environment.

Our monthly art receptions are perfect for just that!

Beyond showcasing great local talent you get a chance to buy art at 10% off for one night only! So come on out this Friday, at 7 p.m. and meet Erin Whittle, our first feature artist!

Erin is a local photographer who you would kill to have shoot your wedding, but beyond that she has collective quite the portfolio of work which you can find here if for some reason you decide you cannot get here all OCTOBER!

Seriously peeps, we are evening dropping some free appetizers on the bar to round you all up and get you here. Oh yeah, did I mention there is Surf Cinema to follow at 8 p.m.? And we serve beer and wine?? Just to let you know.

Are you a follower yet?

2009-09-21T19:07:00.002-04:00

If you are not - find us here.

We are going to be announcing a TON of specials all fall and winter through our facebook page. So pass us along to your friends so you can get everyone together at the shop and enjoy a bunch of specials throughout the season ahead!

Stay posted for more!

MOVIE NIGHTS this WEEK

2009-09-14T21:04:00.002-04:00

The Cinema Series has been great the last couple of weeks and we have had a lot of requests to make it a regular Friday showing as well.

So, by popular demand you can come out on EITHER Thursday or Friday to catch a great film.

Friday's movies will be encore showings of the previous week's feature Thursday showing.

Thursday food specials are $2 tacos (chicken or tuna)!

Fridays are 1/2 price Tuna Tacos with additional specials introduced weekly!

Come out this week for Thursday's movie (One California Day) or Friday's (Picaresque)!

Surf House Loves "Rosa Loves"

2009-09-04T20:36:00.004-04:00

We love Rosa Loves! In conjunction with our core belief of community-active endeavors, Rosa's theme basically shouts WAY ABOVE US.

With their main focus centered on "the common thread" that unites us all together, they create t-shirts for specific causes with YOU in mind. They hope and dream and pray that as their shirts are introduced into society, we as a people will jump on the wagon of something so much greater than ourselves.

Through their quasi-donations, causes and organizations are given the opportunity to thrive or even just survive. So basically what we are saying is check them the doodle out and get involved in something bigger than yourself!

Surf Cinema is a HIT!

2009-09-04T10:14:00.003-04:00

Surf Cinema's First Night WAS AWESOME! Not only was the turnout for the night incredible but the film was INCREDIBLE. We have already gotten a couple emails requesting an encore performance somewhere down the line. It was a very cool vibe in the shop and so we decided to upload this video to let people see for themselves.

The idea for Surf Cinema was to give our community a place to get together and share in the aspects of the lifestyle that brought them to the coast. Cinema selections will range from surf to documentary in nature and focus on the philosophies that we adopt here at the shop on environmental causes and community.

But, if none of that floats your boat, it's still a really great time.

Check it out. Every Thursday. 8 p.m. through the fall and winter.

Blog for a Cause!

2009-09-04T10:04:00.004-04:00

We have decided to open up our blog lines to our a Swell Cause program in an effort to create a more significant voice in our community.

Based on an overwhelming influx of interest and sheer number of efforts that we have found, it made it a no brainer to use the blog as a vehicle to communicate on a continual basis. Just three weeks into our operations, our guests have expressed a strong desire to stay informed on local efforts in which they can become involved and have asked us to get involved.

So we are.

For those of you looking to follow our shop events more closely, we will continue to use the main site and our facebook page as vehicle for those items.

We hope you will find this a good resource for information on what is happening here locally, and use it perhaps as a way to create similar efforts in your communities - no matter where you are. Thanks again group for all the support!

SURF CINEMA STARTS TOMORROW!!!

2009-09-02T09:19:00.002-04:00

SURF CINEMA has its premiere showing on THURSDAY!
BEER and WINE will be ON-PREMISE ALSO with food specials!!

Movie will begin between 8:00-8:15 p.m. and runs 74 mins. so plan your night accordingly.

Should be a good turnout and we are going to be adjusting the seating configuration a little based on the movie screen, so come early if you want a good table and something to eat.

See you there kids.

Fish Tacos on the Menu this Weekend!

2009-08-28T13:00:00.003-04:00

Check out what we have been experimenting with this week and are going to be adding to the menu this weekend!

We are still playing with the recipe and exact combination of ingredients, but can promise you this dish is gonna please! Tuna Tacos with a Mango Radish Salad/Salsa and Siracha Creme Fraiche.

Definitely swing in this weekend and check it out!

Air Temp 90 degrees, Water Temp 80 degrees

2009-08-27T10:48:00.003-04:00

Yeah, we know it's 90 degrees outside and an 80 degree water temp, BUT we are that excited about the order we just made for the rubber from Patagonia!

They developed a suit lining that blends merino wool with recycled polyester to trap more insulative dead-air space and quickly wick moisture away from your skin. And because they are Patagonia, use chlorine-free wool, recycled polyester, PVC-free kneepads and thinner neoprene layers (without sacrificing warmth retention) to reduce our impact on the environment.

It's almost enough to wish for cold water already. Okay, maybe not, but maybe at least make you appreciate the warmth for another couple months.

Patagonia on the way!

2009-08-26T11:28:00.003-04:00

We are stoked to be starting our relationship with the good folks at Patagonia! From the outset of our opening we were determined to create a thread with the group as we have taken so much from their business model and environmental stance on "The Cleanest Line" initiatives.

We will announce our official product arrival in the coming week or two, so stay tuned!

North End gives an early taste of the weekend swell

2009-08-21T23:56:00.005-04:00

These pictures are from the inlet at the North End of Carolina Beach on Friday afternoon. The swell showed early there today because the tide was low (and rising) so the depths were not as much as other spots. This shot is Brad paddling into a monster about 1/4 mile off shore.

These shots really don't do a lot of justice to the sheer magnitude of these waves - and this is PRE-swell actually showing fully.
The second shot is Brian Autry (you think you don't see him, but look close - the speck in the center of the shot is his head). This is before this wave has even peaked.

They shut down the North End access today for fear of vehicles being vulnerable to the wave surge. There is a new moon tonight which usually draws a higher tide, and with the wave projections, there is a likelihood of significant beach erosion with powerful surf like this coming ashore.

These pics are compliment of Dwight and his site http://ncpaddlesurfer.blogspot.com/ - you can see more shots there. Thanks to Dwight for doing such a great job chronicling the swell. We are certain there will be plenty of great pics to look at the next few days. Stay tuned for more.

Epic Swell Weekend - GEAR UP, GRUB ON

2009-08-19T23:00:00.003-04:00

Gonna be an interesting weekend kids! Hurricane Bill is gonna bring epic surf locally and gift the entire eastern seaboard by dodging us as a hurricane. PHEW!!

Everyone be safe while surfing this weekend. Forecast are still showing significant wave heights.

We have just received new leashes and a few new boards! Great time to come in and get some gear and a new stick. Also, we will be running epic swell sandwich specials this weekend, so come and get some grub before you hit the beach or just after your sessions.

Woody Whittle Retro Board Shapes are HOT!

2009-08-11T23:04:00.002-04:00

Local Wilmington board shaper Woody Whittle has some incredible retro shapes that you can ONLY get with us.

Check out this one that Austin took home today. These boards are art pieces as retro designs and if anyone has ever seen Woody in the water, they rip.

Each one is an original. NO one has anything like them. You totally are gonna make a statement in the water. Just ask Austin when you see him - and DROOL over this kick-butt Woody Whittle original.

We have only a few more Whittle boards in, though we expect to get a few more in the next month - but get down here and check them out.

And thanks to Austin - see ya in the water dude - we might be getting in line to ask if we can ride that board.

SURF CINEMA FALL SERIES ANNOUNCED!

2009-08-10T22:59:00.006-04:00

We have just announced the Surf Cinema Fall Series schedule for September and it looks like it should be a great little run of flicks. Check them out and let us know what you think:

Sept 3rd "The Present"
Sept 10th "Picaresque" (pre-release!)
Sept 17th "One California Day"
Sept 24th "Shelter"

Get more details as the month starts to wind down or come in the shop and ask us.

WE ARE OPEN!!!!

2009-08-08T21:55:00.004-04:00

They actually gave us a C.O. (Business License)! HA! Go figure.

Literally, we were like . . . "Seriously?"

SO . . . great news kids! We are open for bidness! Come on down to the shop and check out a TON of great deals on stuff you haven't seen anywhere around here.

AND we are taking it easy on the menu until this coming TUESDAY, so a LIMITED SELECTION of Breakfast Items and Lunch Sandwiches are available until we can get all the recipes just right and trained.

Thanks to Dwight at http://ncpaddlesurfer.blogspot.com/ for getting us some pictures of our opening on his site. We have had tons of support from friends and ESPECIALLY family on this venture and today was pretty cool all around. Thank you so much for everyone that came out and supported our opening today.

We especially want to thank our STAFF who were TOTALLY AWESOME TODAY - We literally gave them about 15 minutes of training and they totally rocked today. GREAT GROUP! Kept their cool when things went crazy and made sure ALL of our guests got the best experience possible. THANK YOU STAFF!

For all that missed it - come check us out this week and see more info on our main site here.

Surfing looks further into the mainstream

2009-07-31T23:41:00.006-04:00

There is an interesting new buzz around the professional surfing world that may change the way you get to view surfing.

Kelly Slater is among a few high profile surfers being wooed by large investors to launch a new tour backed by sports network behemoth ESPN. The lure is pretty sweet with much larger paydays for events than the current tour offers, and with the promise of a large TV audience to broaden the appeal of the athletes, the sport, and its sponsors, this is likely going to happen.

Check out this recent article on the subject here.

Why Conservation Matters

2009-07-31T23:16:00.005-04:00

This new documentary is pretty intense. It centers on former dolphin trainer Ric O’Barry and the bizarre and horrific reality that is taking place in Taiji, Japan.

In the 1960s, it was O’Barry who captured and trained the 5 dolphins who played the title character in the international television sensation “Flipper.” But his close relationship with those dolphins led O’Barry to a radical change of heart. This mission has brought him to Taiji, a town that appears to be devoted to the wonders and mysteries of the sleek, playful dolphins and whales that swim off their coast.

But in a remote, glistening cove, surrounded by barbed wire and “Keep Out” signs, lies a dark reality. It is here, under cover of night, that the fishermen of Taiji, driven by a multi-billion dollar dolphin entertainment industry and an underhanded market for mercury-tainted dolphin meat, engage in an unseen hunt. The nature of what they do is so chilling -- and the consequences are so dangerous to human health -- they will go to great lengths to halt anyone from seeing it.

Undeterred, O’Barry joins forces with filmmaker Louis Psihoyos and the Oceanic Preservation Society to get to the truth of what’s really going on in the cove and why it matters to everyone in the world. With the local Chief of Police hot on their trail and strong-arm fishermen keeping tabs on them, they will recruit an “Ocean's Eleven”-style team of underwater sound and camera experts, special effects artists, marine explorers, adrenaline junkies and world-class free divers who will carry out an undercover operation to photograph the off-limits cove, while playing a cloak-and-dagger game with those who would have them jailed. The result is a provocative mix of investigative journalism, eco-adventure and arresting imagery that adds up to an urgent plea for hope.

If you could redesign a giraffe . . .

2009-07-30T22:42:00.004-04:00

FINALLY!

If anyone is looking for a part-time job, please come by and grab an application.

We are looking for great people who can join our team!

Our favorite interview question:

"If you could redesign a giraffe, how would you do it?"

Supposedly, such a question measures creativity.

For questions like these, we will be scheduling inteviews next Tuesday and Wednesday - so get your applications in now.

Surf Cinema Fall Series

2009-07-22T21:42:00.004-04:00

We have been talking a lot about our Surf Cinema Series that will be debuting this fall and thought we would talk a little more about it here.

The idea is pretty simple: find movies that speak to the coast, surfing, the and the environment, and create an evening where our guests can come out and have a cool social event with unique entertainment.

The movies will range from classics like "The Endless Summer" and "Big Wednesday" to the recent Thomas Campbell flick "The Present". We will occasionally even throw in the animated kids movie.

We hope this will bring our communities out to help us learn more about their interests and what they care about, but also give them a relaxing way to break up their week and take in a Thursday night.

Stay tuned for an official posting of times and titles as we get open.

The Lost Prophets

2009-07-16T21:11:00.010-04:00

The new movie, The Lost Prophets, is coming out this summer. We are adding it to our Fall Movie series at the shop as it is in lockstep with exactly what we are promoting as a surf culture. Check out this film summary from Surfing Magazine:

"Surfing culture originated as an act of escape and joy; these personal explorations were a way of connecting with nature. In our present day there has been a departure from these origins entering this new age of hyper-progression and extreme commercialism. Amongst the unstoppable trend of surf globalization there are certain individuals who have chosen this age-old path of discovery with surfing being a spiritual reflection of themselves. It is these individuals immersed in the surfing experience living this rebirth of the grassroots spirit that will help guide our sport in a new revitalizing direction. Lost Prophets will usher in a new prologue of our history; a prophecy of our sports future."

Silvagni Benefit and Surf Contest

2009-07-16T19:46:00.005-04:00

Tony Silvagni is hosting the 4th Annual Andrew Silvagni Benefit Pro/Am Surf Contest, that will be taking place to help find a cure for Lyme Disease. The contest will be at the Hamlet St. access on Carolina Beach on August 1st and 2nd.

Put this on your calendar and come out and be a part of this cause. Andrew, Tony's brother, has been fighting Lyme disease since 2002 and continues to fight each and every day.

For those of you who don't know Tony, you can read about all of his success here and here.

There will be a pre-party for the event at Beach Dogs, located at 304 N. Lake Park Blvd. next to the Tangerine Restaurant with food, beverages, a silent auction, and music by the Noseriders.

A $5.00 cover charge benefits the cause to cure Lyme Disease.

Alaia Fever

2009-07-09T07:57:00.010-04:00

We totally have been jonesin' on this for awhile now, and are dying to give these things a whirl. The alaia (pronounced AH-LAY-UH) looks like a ton of fun and an amazing glide.

Great video here that has been in our archives for a few months references the new Thomas Campbell film The Present, so we thought it would be a good time to reintroduce it.

Also, check out Wegener's web page article here for more detail and history on the board and to stoke your desire to ride one of these beauties.

A Lesson (thru Film)

2009-07-06T21:22:00.002-04:00

This little feature by The Malloys will be one not to be missed. Definitely look for this to be a feature flick night at the shop.

In case you don't know, the older gentleman in this film is Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia and one of the greatest businessmen and innovators of any industry. The Malloys, well - they are The Malloys. Great work gents, just great work - cannot wait for this one.

So yeah . . . how about some surf videos?

2009-07-06T20:50:00.003-04:00

The Return Generation

2009-07-06T18:18:00.014-04:00

There is a cool movement taking place behind a push from artists like Thomas Campbell and Jeff Canham that is returning surfers to the traditions at the origins of the sport. We know you have heard of The Present, the latest surf flick from Campbell, - check out the trailer here if you have not.

But lesser known Canham is making his mark on an equal, if not as visible, platform. Recently featured in The Surfer's Journal (vol. 18, #3) and you can also find more about him here on his website.

The "retro"-ization of the art surrounding the sport has started to introduce the traditions of the surfing into an innovative present.
We love it.

It is not only impacting surfing, but the art, music, and lifestyle that comes along with it. The ability for surfers to make an impact on community and environment has never had a higher profile and there is a change in the air that is palpable in the surf movie genres/documentaries and the art/music surrounding surfing.

At the shop, starting in September, we will begin a movie and art series that will spotlight the movements surrounding surfing and look to give local artists and filmmakers an opportunity to showcase their projects in our store.

Follow Us on Facebook!

2009-07-05T12:27:00.004-04:00

So what is your social media of choice? Just to be all-inclusive we have created a facebook page - follow along here.

I think that just about covers the social media spectrum for us. Do not expect us to tweet (Twitter) people - we do not have the stamina, and besides we actually have to run the business we are creating at some point.

But for now, find us where you please and thanks for the support.

Let's Talk Food People

2009-07-03T22:23:00.004-04:00

People continue to express interest in the cafe aspect of our shop. So, let us give you a sense of our food.

Health Department pending, we are going to be offering a wide range of options at both breakfast and lunch and (come Fall) dinner. Breakfast items will include breakfast sandwiches and lighter fare such as granola and yogurt and other items.

Lunch will boast serious salads and sandwiches. We will utilize fresh herbs in cooking and preparation. We will use local farms, organic and otherwise, for our fruits and vegetables. We will make our own dressings.

Evening fare will be simple (but we are gonna make you wait for that menu). And as soon as we get open and through August, we are going to look to get our beer and wine license in order.

Good things peeps, good things. In the fall we will look to introduce events to tie into our food and drink. We will also look to introduce box lunches and deliveries.

We look forward to opening and getting to share all of it with you.

When are you opening!??!?!! When are you opening??!!!

2009-06-29T22:06:00.003-04:00

We are getting close.

We are so very thankful for all the help and support from everyone as we continue to get closer to our opening date (semi-secretive). We will announce an official opening date here on the blog after this coming holiday weekend. Friends, family, and even strangers have been quick to relate to us how excited they are for both of us - and with each successive person we find ourselves wanting to get open the very next day - but we want it to be just right.

So, with that said - keep an eye on the blog and sign up on the website here for our official newsletter/mailing list - the inaugural issue (green-friendly of course) will be sent out the first week of July. There will be tons of cool stuff that we won't publish here on the blog - and even some store coupons here and there.

Thanks again for all the support! We are opening soon. We promise.

Any Plans This Sunday?

2009-06-25T08:41:00.001-04:00

Fresh off our announcement of StopTitan.org as our A Swell Cause for 2009, we are excited to spread the word about the "Reach the Beach" event this Sunday, June 28th, at the Ocean Grill and Tiki Bar at Carolina Beach (1211 S. Lake Park Blvd.).

Brad will be participating in the paddle from pier to pier and we will be donating a $25 Gift Certificate that will be auctioned off.

Cool event. Live Music. Cold Beverages. Come out and enjoy the end of the weekend on the beach.

A SWELL CAUSE Indeed

2009-06-24T22:39:00.000-04:00

We will have much more to share with you all on A SWELL CAUSE throughout our opening months. In general, the program is an opportunity to elevate awareness and give a local cause an additional platform in which to broaden its message. We aren't aligning ourselves with a political agenda. We aren't looking for divisive causes. We care about our community and the issues which excite it and deserve its attention.

With that in mind, we wanted to go ahead and get something on the page for our 2009 cause. Surfhouse is proud to get behind the efforts of STOPTITAN.ORG and FRIENDS OF THE LOWER CAPE FEAR (FLCF) and their dedication to protecting the coastal environment and its residents against pollution.

The efforts to prevent the Titan America LLC group from constructing a cement plant in Castle Hayne, NC has its detractors and critics, but political stances aside, we appreciate the need to raise awareness to the pollutants that impact our local waters from any industry.

STOPTITAN.ORG and FLCF has brought a worthy debate to an economically depressed community, where unemployment rates continue to climb, about the price of progress and business stimulation. It is safe to say that all sides are 'fighting the good fight'. Regardless of the outcome, the folks at FLCF have done an excellent job at raising a region's awareness of the impact of industry on its water and its coastal communities.

We at Surfhouse look forward to creating opportunities the remainder of this year to give STOPTITAN.ORG and FLFC an additional audience and platform to share its message. We will continue to share our efforts, and events and outings where STOPTITAN is involved through our store and on our web and blog sites.

Thank God for Nail Guns!

2009-06-16T21:41:00.001-04:00

A week's work, in a day's time.

Alright kids. That's all the teasers on the space you are gonna get until we get open. Gotta keep you curious. Don't worry, we will have more post here as we continue down our path.

Check back in a couple of days for a new announcement regarding our community program A SWELL CAUSE.

Hippy Tree Rocks!

2009-06-15T12:13:00.000-04:00

Our first shipment from Hippy Tree arrived today!

Many of you likely haven't heard of this brand, but it is quickly getting much deserved recognition.

We love it for their operational philosophy.

You can read more about them on their site (here), but the gist is this:
hippy surf dude creates his own art work and looks for a way to share it and make a few bucks, his art blows up with tee-shirt and sticker sales, and he looks for a way to make a difference in his community all the while they make sure they are environmentally conscious.

They are doing stuff peeps, very cool stuff, very very cool stuff.

You can get them with us starting in July, so stay tuned to our blog for opening specifics!

Tick Tock, Tick Tock

2009-06-15T11:55:00.000-04:00

So the clock is ticking on getting opened and we are moving along (slowly, but gaining some momentum). Our most recent bit of fun, while we wait on Health Department and county permitting for electric and plumbing, has been in barnwood applications.

Check out how we have transformed an old plywood lacquered display case!

What does a day in the country have to do with surfing?

2009-06-10T21:55:00.001-04:00

One of the things we are committed to is creating an authentic space that speaks to the tradition of old Surfhouses in the 50s and 60s.

So, with that my grandfather has a 100 year old tobacco barn at his house in Buckingham, VA, Brad and I decided to drive down there and claim some of it to use in our shop.

We were careful to leave the barn structurally sound, and now that it is likely to get more wind, it should age better if we ever need to return for more wood.

The gentleman in one of the shots is my 88 year old grandfather, who was supervisor on this job. Brad was the skilled labor. I bang a lot.

In a nutshell, we saw no snakes, were saved by a generator (it is true that power tools will not run on a hundred feet of extension cord), are thankful for a borrowed 10' trailer, got to watch 'end-of-the-day thunderstorms' roll off the Blue Ridge Mtns and into our yard, ate a steak dinner and listen to stories of 100 years of a barn's history, and had a great road trip to kick off our business venture of bringing this little shop to life.

We want Surfhouse to be about all of this: history, friends, family, hard work, tradition, the present, good food, the environment, and commitment. What
better way to start then reclaiming barnwood to create the space of Surfhouse Carolina Beach.

We hope you will enjoy it. We had a TON of fun, are gonna have some AWESOME old wood in our shop. We start construction in the next couple of days - right after we finish checking for ticks.

Welcome to our Surfhouse Carolina Beach Blog!

2009-04-19T11:29:00.000-04:00

Our blog will feature daily conversations with our guests and public - a community "go-to" for things we explore and discover both in our stores and here on-line.

You will be able to find links to things we care about, things that matter to our guests, and topics relative to our cafe and shop.

Information on lessons and outings will be prominently featured along with videos and pictures that come out of each session.

We cannot wait to get started, so stay tuned for there will be much to see!