Surfing and Boarding

The surfing at the famous Washout area on the eastside of Folly Beach [1] isn’t what it used to be due to storm activity and beach erosion. But the diehards still gather at this area when the swell hits—generally about 3–5 feet (occasionally with dolphins!). Check out the conditions yourself from the three views of the Folly Surfcam (www.follysurfcam.com [2]).

The best local surf shop is undoubtedly the historic McKevlin’s Surf Shop (8 Center St., 843/588-2247, www.mckevlins.com [3]) on Folly Beach, one of the first surf shops on the entire East Coast, dating to 1965 (check out an employee’s “No Pop-Outs” blog at http://mckevlins.blogspot.com [4]).

Other shops include Barrier Island Surf Shop (2013 Folly Rd., 843/795-4545) on Folly Beach [1] and The Point Break (369 King St., 843/722-4161) on the peninsula.

For lessons, Folly Beach Shaka Surf School (843/607-9911, www.shakasurfschool.com [5]) offers private and group sessions at Folly; you might also try Sol Surfers Surf Camp (843/881-6700, www.solsurfers.net [6]).

Kiteboarders might want to contact Air (843/388-9300, www.catchsomeair.us [7]), which offers several levels of lessons, as well as Whitecap Windsurfing (706/833-9463, www.whitecapwindsurfing.com [8]).