Surfy Surfy

When did you start your business?

Moonlight Glassing the surfboard factory was started by my Dad in 1979. I started the blog, Surfy Surfy in 2005 and we converted the front lobby of the factory into the Surfy Surfy retail showroom. Now that has evolved into the new shop on the coast highway opening summer 2010.

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

Having a classic brick and mortar surf shop right on the iconic 101 coast highway is a life dream come true and the location is the very essence of what Surfy Surfy is all about, a small mom and pop shop for the local beach community to enjoy.

Who is your average buyer?

Surfers who are entering real life adulthood by getting married and having young children and are still committed to surfing everyday. They want quality surfboards and gear, sincere answers and no gimmicks.

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

We treat all people with respect. Novice surfers are really hungry for information and will listen closely to your advice and you can learn things from them too. Barneys like me because I have zen like patience with them and don't mock them.

What is the dumbest question a customer has ever asked?

Well, one person did ask to have a Rusty logo laminated on their non-Rusty surfboard which struck me as bizarre.

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

The world famous Moon Kitty Meow. He even has his own Facebook page.

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

One poor guy forgot to strap his board to his car racks and it flew off as he pulled out of the parking lot and a garbage truck ran over it. Actually, I think my Dad made him another board out of pity.

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

We are charitable people and have tried our best to give back to the surf community. That doesn't mean so much sponsoring contests but more like other charity stuff. I have put the entire world on my surf team just to streamline things. If you are reading this, you are on my surf team. Contact me for a sticker.

What is your most annoying grom story?

We always hire groms to work at the shop after school but a lot of the new millennium groms don't seem to grasp the concept of calling in if they are not going to show up for work that day. I blame all the vaccines and video games.

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

Since everyone famous surfs now, yes. But I never know who they are, which is probably for the best.

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

My wife grew up in the surf industry too, so that stuff doesn't really impress her; but she married me anyway, so...yes?

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

I make a sincere attempt to surf 7 days a week. But I only live 1/2 block from a surf spot and the surf shop so I can snag random sessions. Which is the real reason for doing any of this, right?

Who is your favorite surfer and why?

My Dad, he is in his 60s and still stoked on surfing.

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

I am looking forward to this event happening in the near future.

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

I am a magnet for old school drunks who insist on telling me surf stories from back in the day, but those guys don't spend money and they want free wax.

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

People don't shoplift from us, in fact they seem to leave things. We have a lot of random stuff people forget like travel coffee mugs, hoodies, boardbags, cell phones, and their children. It's nuts.

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

The craziest surf shop story is me convincing my wife and my friends to invest time and money into a surf shop in the worst consumer economy in 50 years. They said yes. Crazy!