Best board selection in Charleston\Folly Beach area?

[mostchillin]

I'm in the market for a new board and not familiar with shops in this area as I'm from MD and usually shop at K-Coast or Chauncey's in OC, MD. Since I'm down this way for the next week or so, figured I would go and look around. Thanks for any help.

[isurfpawleys]

i would definitely check mckevlins...

[eclipse13]

I'm not sure what you are looking for, and I'm sure you've heard this before, but I'd look for a local shaper and talk to him. People that have been shaping in an area for a while know what works for the given waves. My first wave on my Proline shapped my Mike Paul that has been shaping here for many years turned me into a believer of local shapers.

Good luck

[tgdontap]

i prefer ocean surf shop to mckevlin's as it seemed their prices were a bit better. i haven't had extensive experience with either so take that with a grain of salt.

check out www.palmettosurfers.com for info on local shapers and other sc surf info.

richard prause shapes grasshopper surfboards in charleston. he's easy to get in touch with so you might send him an email.

[mostchillin]

Thanks all for the replies -- very helpful. I found Palmetto Surfer late last night after posting and found it to be very helpful.

I should have been a little more specific in my posting... I'd prefer an East Coast board but also really dig the Channel Islands MBB -- I need a big dood board... Not looking for a custom -- just wanted to know who had a good stock of boards to have a look. I think we'll start at Charleston Watersport Outfitters (WRVs and Orions) and then work our way down to Folly and hit Ocean and McKevlins.

Now I just need to figure out if it breaks at Edisto before I head down...

Thanks again and enjoy the surf! My boys back in OC, MD are jealous!

[mostchillin]

Well I never found a board OR surf at Edisto but had a good time nonetheless... That being said a couple of comments:

1. Charleston Watersports Outfitters was CLOSED on Sunday of Labor Day weekend when it explicitly states that they are open 7 days a week THROUGH Labor Day? Am I missing something??? I know, I know -- should have called first but I tend to rely on the Net a little too much... So they didn't get my business as a result... Would have loved to have checked out the WRVs and Orions...

2. McKevlins -- awesome shop with excellent service. Not sure the name of the dood that helped me but thanks again! (he saw my original post here...) Excellent selection of boards -- just couldn't find the CI thruster I wanted unfortunately or they would have scored my business in a heartbeat. Compared to Delmarva prices -- very, very fair. I will be back when I'm in the Folly area again. Definitely a surfers surf shop with a focus on boards.

3. Ocean -- nice enough store with a decent selection. Cool that they carry a local shapers boards in addition to a whole host of punch outs -- not my thing at all. My time was limited as they didn't have anything even appealing for me. Just my opinion -- seems to appeal to tourist (which I was in the case...) or the "fair weather" surfer looking for an alternative to the top of the line brands at McKevlins.

I just wanted to chime in as I do appreciate the responses and to give props to the guys at McKevlins. Enjoy the building surf and thanks again!