Fall is in full swing up here and as I was packing away some t-shirts for the colder months I came across one of my favorite new additions from this summer. A few months ago, driving back from the beach, I decided to delay my return north for a few more hours by way of Charleston and ended up meeting Rhett Boyd who owns
Rogue Wave Surf Shop, and is one of the coolest and nicest guys I have met. I had read about the shop a few weeks earlier while still in Ohio and had briefly talked to Rhett and told him I hoped to make it by while I was down there. When I arrived and eagerly approached the door to go in I found the door locked and the shop closed. I called the shop number to check the hours, confirmed what I did not want to hear, and made my way back to the car. Within minutes of driving off though, Rhett called me back and politely apologized for missing my call. I told him I was passing through on the way back to Ohio and had stopped to see the shop. He said he remembered talking to me before and said if I was still close by he could meet me there and open up for me. Seriously? This guy doesn't know me... It's a holiday weekend... He has family and friends in town... He said don't worry and he would be there in 20 minutes.
I was sitting in a chair on the porch of the shop near an old red cooler with a sticker plastered across the top when Rhett arrived. Introductions were made, doors were opened, music was turned on and drinks offered. This is the south after all and the hospitality is second to none. Let me just say at this point that this is not your usual surf shop. Imagine for a moment, as the shop vision was described, if Ernest Hemingway was a surfer. Classic Lit mixed in with surfing photography books, framed photos of what appear to be Civil War generals hang next to vintage surf memorabilia....this place was amazing. Boards by Gato Heroi, great accessories from CXXVI, etc...and all in a cool little space. Rhett and I spent a good bit of time talking shop, and could have kept talking but noting the long trip ahead I grabbed a couple of tees and other items, shook hands, said farewell and hit the road.
About a week after getting back home I received a note in the mail from Rhett, just saying thanks for stopping in and that he hoped I was enjoying the purchases. This was a nice touch to an already memorable experience. Going into Rogue Wave is instantly like being welcomed into a dear friend's home and I for one hope to continue to make my way back there many times...maybe next trip I can make it out to some of those small waves they are so fond of.
I was discussing this fact with a friend up here as we looked at images of a swarm of fans heading into a game decked out in jerseys and face paint. "You seriously mean women wear dresses and men wear a shirt and tie? To a football game? that is absurd."
