How do I prepare to work at a surf shop?

Question

Currently, I live in Hartford County, Connecticut in the United States, but next year I'm going to school in South Australia. I'd love to work at a surf shop sometime while I'm there, but I obviously can't gain any experience at a surf shop here. I cannot commute a hour a day to the Connecticut coastline to work at any water sport shops or beaches. I want to have some experience in the field, because I know that many college students apply to the surf shops in Adelaide's Central Business District. How do I better qualify myself for the job?

Answer 1

Real surf shops sell surfboards.  Other so called "surf shops" sell clothes and accessories with some surfboards on the walls.  If you want to be prepared for the latter, just dress cute and have a tan before you apply.  If you want to work in a real surf shop and don't surf, then understanding a few basic principles of surfboard selection will help:

While understanding that most questions that arise in surf shops are from beginners wanting to make sure they don't make the mistake of buying an expensive board and finding out that it's not right for them.

1. For beginner surfers, bigger is always better.  Their board should be at least 2 feet taller than they are.

2. Humble boards are better.  If it looks like a Ferrari, it's probably for Mario Andretti.  Beginner boards should have a rounded nose and a "squash" tail.  Squash tails are flat and 4-7" wide.

3. Learn your terminology, difference between a  longboad and a shortboard, a longboard and a funboard, a shortboard and a fish, epoxy and traditional polyester glassed boards and the advantages and disadvantages of each.

When you get to Australia the best thing that you could do is to start surfing, if you haven't already.  You'll get the firsthand knowldege to show your customers that you didn't learn everying while surfing the 'net.

Aloha and happy surfing!

Answer 2

you go it --------- your dream will take you there