The story of Rod Surf Shop starts on the beaches of Florida where I grew up. The beach was where my family always went when we had free time. Growing up by the ocean gave me a great love for the ocean and a respect for it as well.
The love and respect I have for the ocean comes out of my experiences.
Like walking by the water after the sun went down and before the moon came up and hearing the waves crash on the sand.
Like stepping into the sand on a bright sunny afternoon and enjoying the feel of the soft fine sand beneath my feet but finding out after a few steps that running to the waters’ edge was a must because the sand was like walking on fire.
Like staring out at the ocean as the wind tears at my clothes and the rain stings my face, hoping to find the massive swell that the hurricane chasers have been predicting for the last week.
Like feeling my leash go slack after wiping out on a wave and knowing it is going to be a hard swim in.
Like standing up on a nice right hander as my board begins to drop down the face of the wave.
These experiences take me back to a lot of places and good memories. It is these memories that kept pushing me towards Rod Surf Shop and what it is today.
Growing up with a father who was a carpenter by trade, also shaped me into who I am today.
I remember at a young age watching and then helping my dad build things out of wood. It was during this time that my love for seeing things come to shape in the shaper’s hands developed. There is nothing like having an idea in your head and then taking a tool in your hand and seeing it come to shape before you. My dad was the best teacher and father I could ask for.
Then one summer I was given the opportunity to observe Brett Telinger at Gum Surfboards and glean some insights. It didn’t take me long to know for sure that I wanted to shape surfboards. It was only a matter of time.
That time finally came and Rod Surf Shop was born.
My dream from the beginning of Rod Surf Shop was to create a space that met the needs of surfers. Ideally, I wanted it to be set up for shaping boards and repairing boards by hands. Secondly, I wanted to carry the products that surfers need.
It all started taking shape when I found the place I was looking for in a quiet side street in the neighborhood of Dakhla. The locals that have shops around me are nice and eager to meet the needs of those who cross the threshold of their doorway.
Having carpentry in my back ground I set to work at once, designing my shop and work space.
The first things to go up were the shaping room and the shaping rack. Then, over the next few months, things kept coming together and the shop started taking shape.
The day that the sign of my shop was finished was a great day. It was fun designing the sign and seeing it come together. Then, with some help from my friends, we got it hung up over the shop and we opened for business.
