Standup Paddle Boards Here To Stay Says Main Beach Surf & Sport

With the annual Swap Sale over this past weekend, summer is in full swing at Main Beach Surf and Sport. George McKee, surf manager at the shop, walked us through this season's top sellers.

Standup paddle boards, a trend of the last few summers are still selling steadily. "It's more of a fashion than a fad," said McKee, "We're surrounded by water on all 360°. People want something to enjoy the water with- The standup paddleboard is becoming the new bicycle. Everyone will have one in their garage."

The trend is moving toward the larger touring paddle boards, which resemble a long board mixed with a knee board and a kayak. Ranging between 12 1/2 and 14 feet these boards with their contoured bows cut more easily through waves and are easier to steer. Also their low weight carbon builds typically weigh no more than 25 pounds. The lightest board in shop is a 14 foot long board that weighs only 14 pounds. Prices for these boards start at around $1600 to about $3000.

Christenson surfboards, hand shaped in San Diego, are also hot sellers. Long boards specifically have reached the height of popularity and all the boards have a retro look reminiscent of a 70s style. Made of lightweight resin with a high gloss finish, the boards are simple in design typically only having a decorative middle line against a monochrome surface. Though the boards are well-known in California the recent popularity in New York seems to be due to their widespread use among surfers in Montauk specifically at Ditch Plains beach. "It takes about two years for cool stuff in California to come here," said McKee.

For McKee, the trend is a no-brainer. "You have a surfboard for days when there are waves and a paddleboard for the flat days," he said.

Main Beach also offers rentals which come with free delivery starting at around $100. Lessons for surfing paddle boarding and kayaking are also available. Stop by the shop at 352 Montauk Hwy. in Wainscott, visit the website at mainbeach.com or call 537-7873 for more information.