Surf’s Up!
by Heidi Trilling
Need surf gear? Six premier surf shops in Half Moon Bay and Pacifica can help. Novice to pro surfers will find products for every budget - skateboarders and kiteboarders, too. Each shop has its own unique personality. Let’s take a look.
Manager Lucy Turner at Cowboy Surf Shop, Half Moon Bay.
Cowboy Surf Shop: 2830 Cabrillo Highway N., Half Moon Bay. 650-726-6968. www.cowboysurfshop.com. Owned by Craig “Cowboy” Mac Arthur; Lucy Turner, manager.
Mac Arthur opened the first surf shop in Half Moon Bay in 1971, this one in ‘82. A multi-talented surfer, board shaper, musician and videographer, Mac Arthur offers sales, repairs and rentals. Neat and compact, with a gracious manager, the shop features surfboards, skimboards and boogie boards - as well as hardcore wetsuits and accessories by Rip Curl and Hotline, clothing by Lost, HIC and Sex Wax, popular Cowboy-logo hoodies, Reef sandals, posters, DVDs and surfer-inspired holiday gifts. “We try to make everyone happy, because we count on our repeat customers.” - Lucy Turner
Jeff Clark in the gallery at Mavericks Surf Shop, Princeton, Half Moon Bay.
Mavericks Surf Shop: 151-B Harvard Ave., Half Moon Bay. 650-563-9060. www.jeffclarksurfboards.com.
Owner Jeff Clark, internationally respected big-wave surfer, board shaper, and director of Mavericks Surf Contest, opened shop in 1995. The shop offers a wide variety of custom surfboards shaped by Clark - from beginner “eggs” and Flying Fish to big-wave guns. There’s also official Mavericks Surf Contest clothing and accessories, Powerlines DVDs, books, magazines and autographed posters. The shop also houses a gallery of Clark’s surfing memorabilia, which is marvelous to see. Airy and bright, the shop is frequented by novice surfers and surfing celebrities alike. Advice for beginners: “Get some good surfing instruction, don’t get too far over your head, keep trying, and make it FUN!” - Jeff Clark
Darin Bingham, of HMB Board Shop, Half Moon Bay.
Half Moon Bay Board Shop: 3032 Cabrillo Highway N., Half Moon Bay. 650-726-1476. Owned by Darin Bingham; Telma Flosi, manager. Opened in 1991.
Darin Bingham graced the cover of Surfer Magazine in June 1992. His shop is loaded with top-quality surf and skateboard gear and accessories, featuring O’Neill and Xcel wetsuits, sunglasses, clothing, Reef and Roxy sandals, tide watches, books, DVDs, backpacks, even beach toys for kids. Watch for Bingham’s new shop, opening in Princeton’s Oceano Hotel in fall 2008, offering a modified line of family surf gear and kids’ clothing - including a much-needed local stock of children’s shoes! “We cater to the whole spectrum of surfers.” - Darin Bingham.
Sonlight Surfshop: 575 Crespi Drive #1, Pacifica. 650-359-0353. www.sonlightsurfshop.com. Owned by Dan and Robin Moreno. Opened in 1985.
Dan and Robin Moreno at Sonlight Surf Shop, Pacifica.
Dan Moreno is the star of The Gift of Barong, a moving documentary of surfing and Filipino-American heritage. (The DVD is available at Sonlight.) He’s also a consultant to a Philippine province, helping to establish a surf culture there. Robin Moreno is a former competitive swimmer and bodysurfer. Sonlight is warm and welcoming, like you’re visiting the Morenos’ home. Stocked with high-quality local and overseas boards and accessories, Sonlight is known for fine, super-quick surfboard repair. Private surf lessons are available. “We favor everybody! Our attitude is one of joy and stoke.” - Dan Moreno.
“Want to stay healthy? Surf for life!” - Robin Moreno
Nor Cal Surf Shop: 5460 Coast Highway, Pacifica. 650-738-WAVE. Also 1101 Douglas Ave., Burlingame. 650-348-9283. http://norcalsurfshop.stores.yahoo.net. Owned by Shawn Rhodes, Greg Savin and Jeff Kafka. Pacifica shop opened in 1991; Burlingame in 2007.
Shawn Rhodes shapes Neptune boards at Nor Cal Surf Shop, Pacifica.
Annual Mavericks contest invitee Shawn Rhodes shapes Neptune boards and stocks his shops with other premium surf, skate and kiteboard gear. Surf and skate lessons are available in Pacifica, kiteboard and skate lessons in Burlingame. Try out the skate ramps in the backyards. Kudos to Nor Cal for hosting a marine mammals fundraiser in July! Check out Uncle Dick’s Surf Fest at Nor Cal Pacifica in November 2008. “Great new lines of Nor Cal skateboards, new logo clothing, and Patagonia wetsuits coming, as well as kids’ shoes and apparel.” - Shawn Rhodes
The Log Shop: 640 Crespi Drive, Pacifica. 650-738-5664. Owned by surfer/entrepreneur Tait Cowan; opened in 1999.
Tait Cowan at The Log Shop, Pacifica.
The Log Shop offers a huge variety of high-end surfboards, wetsuits, skateboards and gear - plus a resort-like array of services! It has hosted MTV and Quiksilver movie premieres and cooking classes; it features surf and skateboard lessons, two indoor skateparks, a screening room, video arcade, and facilities for corporate events and kids’ birthday parties. It’s a family-style site; all ages come from far and wide to skate here and enjoy the vibe. Also visit Tait’s Boardshop in Squaw Valley; an Idaho shop is opening in 2009. “We specialize in customer service, whether you’re Kelly Slater or a novice. Whether it’s for a wetsuit fit, or the best products for the sport you want to explore, we’re here to help.” - Tait Cowan