Nielson Surfboards

When did you start your business?

I’ve been shaping since 1972.

Do you consider the location of your shop a key factor to the business’s success?

No not really actually. It’s just the fact that I’ve been making boards so long now that I’m well known in the area. Word of mouth.

Who is your average buyer?

Mostly guys about 20-45.

If a total Barney walks in do you treat him with the same respect as a full on loc?

Yes absolutely. Once my dog stops licking them we do.

What is the dumbest question a customer has ever asked?

“Do you carry Speed-O’s?”

Do you have a mascot (ex. - An animal that roams freely throughout the building)?

Yes- Tico the white lab/golden retriever mix.

What is the craziest return a customer has ever tried to make?

Nothing too crazy actually.

Does your store support any local surfers or have a surf team?

Yes we’ve got a really good core surf team.

What is your most annoying grom story?

This one kid always calls in and asks how the waves are and then comes in and always wants us to take a picture of him doing a “rodeo flip” even though there’s no way he can do them. He also requests to be sponsored all of the time.

Have you ever had any type of celeb roll in and make a purchase?

Yes- The governor & Mr. Kelly Slater.

Have you ever pulled a hot chick/guy solely due to the fact that you own/manage a surf shop?

We’re both married actually, but if we weren’t I bet we could.

How many days a week do you surf now compared to before you owned/managed a surf shop?

I probably used to surf 5 days a week before. Now I surf probably once.

Who is your favorite surfer and why?

Kelly Slater- I’ve known Kelly since he was a kid and he’s always been a super solid guy. I taught him his first yoga class.

Has a customer trying on clothes ever walked out completely naked?

Nope. Nobody under 70. Only the old ones that forget where they’re at.

Has a person ever walked in totally blitzkrieged (really intoxicated) and tried to make a purchase? If so elaborate.

Yes absolutely. Usually they walk in and want to get stuff for free though.

Every store has to deal with shoplifting. What is your most memorable experience and what is your shoplifting policy?

We’re actually really lucky. We don’t really have a problem with shoplifting. The worst thing we’ve found is when people do a tag switch, but we usually catch them right away.

And last but not least tell us one of the craziest shop stories you can remember?

We’re too old to remember. We had a bunch of those before Alzheimers set in.