Well, the easy answer to that would be: everything in stock is free. Or better yet, the surf shop actually pays you to take whatever surf items you want.
However, seeing as most of us presumably don’t live in Cloud Cuckooland, let’s get real here. Despite the advent of online options; the old school core surf shop will always have its place. Especially in our hearts. With respect to the brilliant digital stores out there, I doubt any surfer can wait 1-2 working days for a new leash after they’ve just snapped theirs in cooking surf they are frothing to head back out in.
And as for those okes constantly devoid of their own wax and/or sunblock? In the future, when asked for wax and/or sunblock in the parking lot, Trident is suggesting they buy online right then and there. No, you’d rather borrow said items from us, again? Well, we’ll order some wax and’ stuff for ourselves then, but we’re gonna need 1-2 working days before you can borrow from us. Poephols.
A surf shop just down the road from where you actually surf.
So there you go. Even if it’s in a pinch, we all need the everyday items readily available at your local surf store. Indeed, Trident once tore a wetsuit just before paddling out in some epic surf. Trust us, we won’t be publicly shaming that brand. Off topic, but even so – we were in desperate need of a new suit. Like, immediately. So – off we screeched in our cabby to our local shop down the beach. A fair sum of money was exchanged and later we were perfectly equipped for the smoking waves on offer. All in all, the process took roughly an hour.
Of course, this particular incident happened well before the days of ensuring one had the bare minimum of cash, credit cards, ATM cards etc on their person for security’s sake. These days the hordes of skelms prowling beaches countrywide would have said wetsuit money in their pockets before you even realise your card door was tampered with or you’re missing your side window.
In any case, our headline is: what makes a good surf shop?
Is it the friendly, efficient staff? The reasonably priced array of goods on offer? The excellent, personalised service? The specials on offer, the discounts? The free surfboard with every sixth purchase? The kickbacks? The smell of sunblock, surf wax and benzene?
Trident has often been in surf shops where few – if any – of the employees actually, er, surf. You’d think that would be fundamental. Although to be fair, Trident reckons most surfers would make kak employees. We certainly wouldn’t hire a useles surfer. Come on – where would said surf employee be in the event of insane surf?! And ja, maybe if it’s just selling a pair of boardies to a somewhat bewildered east European, at least some knowledge of surfing would be relevant.
Nonetheless, when buying any real surf specific equipment, you’d want expert advice and opinions. Just the other day, Trident changed surf wax brands. Sure no doubt many surfers could give two figs about what wax they use. But they really should care. The nuances of something as simple and ubiquitous as wax cannot be overstated.
The staff at said shop selling the wax used superlatives like; “this is too sticky”, “this wax is just kak”, “this wax gave me a rash on my balloon knot”, “all hail Trident”, “the New World Order planted microchips in this block of wax”, “I don’t personally use wax, I prefer front and back grips as well as dried prunes”, “I wish to mobilise a protest against the wax capitalist, you in?”
Staff, stock and where a surf shop is situated. Prime.
