Vanguard Surf and Skate

When did you start your business?

1993

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

Yes. We’re located right in the middle of a large neighborhood and a high school so we get tons of kids in here at all times.

Who is your average buyer?

Our average buyer is guys from the ages of 12-24.

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

Yes of course. We treat everybody equally here.

What is the dumbest question that a customer has ever asked?

“Do you guys carry rollerblades?”

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

Yes- we have turtles, “Smalls” & “Cheeks.”

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

A pair of shoes that had dog shit inside them. Literally inside of them.

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

Yes we have both a surf & skate team. The best skate team in the South Bay.

What is your most annoying grom story?

When Gavin Shenanigans (a kid that always hangs out here) was throwing rocks at cars once and had the cops come in here and question us as if we were the ones throwing the rocks.

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

Nope not that I can think of.

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

No. I have a hot girlfriend.

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

I used to surf and skate every day before I managed a shop. Now I only get to surf and skate about 4 days a week.

Who is your favorite surfer and why?

Surfer- Tom Carroll because he has sick style. Skater- Daewon Song because he’s the most down to earth professional skateboarder out there with mad skills, and rides his boards with no top bushing.

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

Yes- an employee has and it wasn’t the first time.

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

Yes- I had to call the police to come restrain him. He was that wasted. He didn’t know where he was at or what he was doing. I personally had to drive him home.

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

One time we called the police for a kid stealing a sticker. The kid went to jail for stealing a sticker. Our shoplifting policy is we detain and call the cops. We have absolutely zero tolerance for shoplifting.

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

I stole a board from this store and have now been working here for 15 years. Long story.