By Jillian Becquet, Jacqueline Gonzalez, Vanessa Perez and Mandy Shelton
Surfing has long been woven into the fabric of life along the Coastal Bend. The local sport of surfing’s humble beginnings in the 1960s gave rise to something far greater: a lifestyle and shared identity that still thrives today.
In this feature, you’ll hear from longtime locals, explore the surf shops that have supported generations of riders and get a glimpse into the stories and people that continue to define the scene. Paired with archival photos and contributions from local surf photographers, we’re offering both a historical perspective and a look at where surfing in South Texas is headed.
The Birth of A Surf Culture
The Coastal Bend’s place in surfing history is written in the sand of Padre, San Jose and Mustang Island, and on the shoreline of Corpus Christi Bay. The stories are told in garages and surf shops and on the water, but rarely in our history books — in part because they’re still being written.
When America’s fascination with the Beach Boys grew, so did its interest in surfing. The Coastal Bend’s population had been growing steadily since the last century, but spotting a surfer in Coastal Bend waters was a rarity before the 1960s. Read More >>
The Dockside Legacy
A landlocked lot on the inbound side of South Padre Island Drive is an unlikely setting, but Dockside Surf Shop has been supplying the local saltwater scene “since before you were born.”
Patrick and Tippy Kelley, who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this past December, have owned Dockside Surf Shop since 1994. They both learned to surf in junior high: Tippy attended Cullen but already knew Patrick, who went to Sundeen, by reputation. “He was in a little motorcycle gang; they rode Honda 150s and they thought they were bad,” Tippy recalled. “That was a long time ago,” Patrick explained. “There wasn’t a whole lot to do if you didn’t surf.” Read More >>
Getting Wave Ready with Local Surf Camps & Surf Shops
Whether just starting or looking to refine your skills, local surf camps and lessons provide the perfect opportunity to embrace the waves. Here’s an all-ages guide to navigating the surf scene in the Coastal Bend. Read More >>
State of the Surf
You might be hard-pressed to encounter a surfer who doesn’t ask in the first five minutes of meeting if you’ve ever surfed—or if not, why not? This was a common thread among numerous conversations I had with local surfers, many of them scratching their heads at the idea that I have lived on the coast most of my life and have never dared to paddle out.
When I caught Nate Floyd on a balmy late afternoon at Wind and Wave, the watersports shop his family has owned and operated since 1987, he launched into his pitch. Not long ago, a woman in her mid-60s who had never surfed a day in her life came into the shop on a mission to begin her journey out into the waves. They talked about the craft, the community and the accessibility of the sport. “She bought a board that same day,” he said. And that’s how quickly it can happen for many people. Read More >>
