Kalama to visit Boston --

[spookini]

Ok, that got everyone's attention, so...  

Let me back up.  Was SUS'ing at Nahant today (waist-chest high, nice long rolling wave up there!), lots of proner and paddlers out. Ran into a guy on a new JP board.  Asked him where he got it, he said "the new shop right over there".  Huh?

Paddled back down the beach, ran into another guy on a brand new JP Surf Pro 9'2"x30".  Told him there was another JP'er out, he said, "yeah, I just sold him that board."    Turns out I was talking to Tim, one of the owners of the brand new SUP/surf shop, Ocean House Surf  (www.facebook.com/OceanHouseSurf).  Only open for one month, it's right on Lynn Shore Drive across the line in Swampscott.  Literally across the street from the beach.  In a few short seasons, turns out Tim has gone from renting/selling SUPs out of his car, to opening a surf shop which also features a cafe w/ outdoor seating, serving up premium sandwiches, baked goods, and a friggin' coffee bar. Wow!

We swapped boards for awhile (whew, that JP takes a bit of balance), and he told me about the shop.  Stocks JP, Coreban, Imagine, NSP, and a few others.  Just took possession of a container stocked full w/ 90 sups.  In addition to lessons and rentals, they also offer SUP yoga and surf camp for kids.  He's also interested in putting together a SUP race for later in the season. (I told him demand is definitely there... there's a few South Shore/Cape zoners currently whining about the lack of events  ).  And then he mentioned his hopes of coaxing Mr. Kalama over to pimp the Imagine lineup and put on a paddle clinic...

Anyways, a very very nice guy.  Asked him if he was on the Zone, he said he'd been so busy putting the shop together (the website is still barebones at this point), he hasn't had time.  I told him no worries, I'd put the word out and lure folks in w/ a sensational and salacious headline  .

Was hoping to check out the shop and sample their food offerings, but was already pushing my luck w/ a 4.5hr session...  Bit of traffic along Shore Drive, so figured I'd pull a U-ey back to Boston and pretend to service the honey-do list.  Will definitely check it out next time.  Here's a few shots from the shop's Facebook page.  (BTW, parking lot at Nahant has f-i-n-a-l-l-y reopened!)

[stoneaxe]

Nice looking shop.

If he does come out again for a Kalama Kamp or something definitely worth going.

[NEplay]

Looks like a nice shop( must get some double overhead coffee). My last windsurfing waveboard was a JP and it was beautifully made. I would like to try some of the SUP offering from JP.

As to demand for more racing. I am not sure I see a lot of new interest. As a regular on the race seen in New England for the last two years and attending last Saturdays SUPathon I wouldn't say demand is DOH, OH, Chest or even shoulder. I would say demand is waist high and slowly building at best. But my all mean Nahant would be a great place for a race with an on call SUS contest.

[PonoBill]

Funny thing aboput racing is that if you have one or two, the same folks show up, when the number hits some magic point all of a sudden there's a crowd.

[NEplay]

I hope so Pono and I am encouraged you think we New Englanders are headed in the right direction.