Southeast

What makes the Southeast a special destination for surfers?

I think the coolest part about surfing in our area is how new it feels to so many people. Every time you paddle out, someone says, “Whoa, I didn’t even know you could surf here.” Growing up, I always loved that—surfing next to my peers while visitors from Ohio or wherever would watch in amazement, wondering what we were doing. It feels a little exotic, and I love that.

One of my favorite things is how uncrowded it is. When there are fun waves in my hometown of Garden City, I’m usually surfing by myself. If I want company, I have to go find people to surf with. That’s special. These days, it’s hard to find your own sandbar, but when there’s enough swell here, you don’t have to worry about crowds. And if you do run into anyone, they’re usually stoked to see you and happy to share waves, which just makes the session better.

What kind of waves can visiting surfers expect?

Our waves break quick, so you have to be fast to your feet. We get good sandbars, and if we ever had consistent, solid swell, I honestly think this could be one of the best beach breaks on the East Coast. The problem is the continental shelf—by the time the swell energy gets to us, there’s not much left. The waves are usually short and peaky, which makes them fun. If it’s a northeast swell, you’re getting all lefts; southeast gives you all rights. With a little ground swell, you can go both ways—really punchy and playful.

I always tell my friends in California: when it’s one to two feet there, you can’t even surf—it’s not worth it. But when it’s one to two feet behind my house, it’s the most fun little wave you’ll ever ride. It’s funny—people don’t really believe me until they visit. I’ve had friends like Noah Schweizer and Evan Geiselman come to town when we had a bit of swell, and even they were blown away. They’re like, “Wow, this is a really fun knee-high wave!”

What’s the vibe?

The vibe here is pure surf stoke. Everyone is curious, friendly, and just happy to see other surfers. They’ll ask about your board, what you’re riding—there’s no ego. If you can surf well, people are genuinely intrigued and stoked to share the lineup. Southern hospitality runs deep here. I’ve surfed places with heavy localism, and I respect that, but it’s not something we really have here. I was born and raised in South Carolina, but I can’t imagine ever having to “pull the local card.”

What should surfers bring?

As far as boards go, bring something with plenty of volume but on the shorter side, since our waves are fast and tight. I like riding a standard thruster, usually two to three inches shorter than my normal shortboard. A boxy rail helps. Basically, bring your favorite grovel board. You can leave the high-performance shortboard in the car—you won’t need it, even on the best day of the year.

When is the best time to score?

Our swells come from big storms off the coast, just like the rest of the East Coast. A good windswell that switches offshore can be super fun, but you have to be quick. We usually get an hour of good waves where places like the Outer Banks get a whole day. If it goes offshore at midnight, don’t wait until morning—it’ll look like a lake by then.

Same goes for tides. When there are waves, you paddle out—don’t wait. We have big tide swings, sometimes six feet, so you might only get an hour of good surf on the rising or dropping tide. Some days low tide works, some days high tide works—you never really know. If you see a fun wave, get out there.

What else is there to do when you’re not surfing?

Outside of surfing, there’s a ton to do. My dad likes to joke, “Myrtle Beach is great if you like putt-putt.” But seriously, the golf here is world-class, with hundreds of courses to choose from. Fishing is incredible. There are scenic restaurants on the water—yes, touristy, but in a good way—and most are locally owned. Boating and other water activities are always an option, and if you want a cold drink, there’s no shortage of spots.

What’s your favorite local cuisine?

Local food? I’m a sucker for good Southern barbecue.

Where can people learn to surf?

Our surf shop (Village) runs camps and private lessons all summer.

What are some things people should be aware of when it comes to local culture and customs?

As for surf etiquette, it’s simple: respect the place and the people. Pick up your trash. Treat others how you’d want to be treated if they visited your homebreak, and you’ll be fine.

Any other local tips?

If you have a day off and want a little road trip, most locals head to Wrightsville Beach for really fun waves. Carolina Beach is a mellower option. Ocean Isle breaks a little farther out and can be great. Folly Beach is super punchy and fun, more shorebreak-style but with a lot of power. Honestly, when one spot is good around here, they’re all usually good—you just pick your poison.