Sweetwater Salvation

Outside Magazine Feature (pic)

2012-05-22T10:27:00.000-04:00

TCSS and New Buffalo, Michigan are featured in the latest issue of Outside Magazine as one of the best places for a quick and easy paddling adventure. Our Galien River Kayak & Paddleboard Rentals and stand-up paddling lessons are mentioned alongside Malibu, California and Lake Havasu, Arizona, among others.

We've been offering SUP sales, rentals and lessons since 2007 and are pushing the limits for paddling in the Great Lakes now more than ever. Stoked.

3rd Coast Sandals - You Decide (pic)

2012-05-17T07:41:00.002-04:00

We got this idea; "Wouldn't it be neat to make some 3rd Coast sandals?". Just a simple pair of rad flip flops that you can wear to the beach and around town. Captain Jack got to work and this is what he came up with...

Which are your favorites (click photo to enlarge)? Vote here or on our Facebook page and we'll make the ones that get the most votes.

(new) New Buffalo Store Grand Opening (pic)

2012-05-17T06:35:00.000-04:00

After 7 years at our original location in the quaint beach-side town of New Buffalo, we have decided to move. But don't fret; we're only moving about 6 blocks, and it's a move that not only more than doubles our retail space but also puts us only 3 blocks to Lake Michigan. Score.

To celebrate, we are having a Grand Opening party Saturday, May 26. Door prizes throughout the day, a book signing with our friend Jack Nordgren and his new Great Lakes surfing book Wave Chasers, hand-made movie poster signing by Jeremy Rumas (currently producing the new surf film Hangs Upon Nothing), and a $5 surfboard raffle for a brand new 3rd Coast longboard round out the action at 2:00 ET. All proceeds from the raffle go to the Chicago chapter of the Surfrider Foundation.

CLICK HERE for all of the details.

Nicaragua, Act 1 (pics)

2012-04-25T17:14:00.000-04:00

Our week with the Bing family and friends in Nica was pretty killer. Rather than express in words what it was like, I will let our new friends Linn and and Petter, two young traveling Swedes, show it in photos. Take a peek at their Sunshine Stories website HERE for a slew of imagery from the trip. Stuff like this...

Seea Swimsuits Are In (pics)

2012-04-24T13:58:00.000-04:00

Our first shipment of Seea Swimsuits are now in at the St. Joseph store. Made in California for active water women, we are stoked to be their first (certainly not last) Midwest dealer. For more info, check out the Seea website, then come see them for yourself.

Johnny Fox Surf Art Exhibition Details (pic)

2012-04-12T13:28:00.000-04:00

Mark your calendars for May 5 and join us for the latest Third Coast Surf Shop Surf Art Exhibition at the St. Joseph Store. Featured artist: Johnny Fox.

What: Third Coast Surf Shop Surf Art Exhibition featuring Johnny Fox

When: Saturday, May 5 from 7-10 ET

Where: St. Joseph store

A little info about Johnny...

John Martin Fox - Saugatuck, MI

Tribal Affiliation - Pokagon Potawatomi

Education - Institute of American Indian Art, Santa Fe N.M. & Kendall School of Design, Grand Rapids MI.

Exhibitions:

Best of Show - West Michigan Regional Competition

Institute of American Indian Art Gallery , Santa Fe N.M.

The Mitchel Museum of the American Indian, Evanston, IL.

Indian Summer Gallery, Saugatuck, MI.

Private and Corporate collections throughout the United States

Surfing BIO :

"My first experience with surfing came when I was around 5, that was 1963. My dad and his buddy Bennie where lifeguards at Oval Beach in Saugatuck. They would put me on a 11 foot paddleboard with no skeg, no rails and no rocker. Eventually, in my early teens, I picked up a beautiful 8 foot Con with overlapped rails and a deck patch. It had a large butterfly design on the hull and a clear blue resin fin. That board was the stepping stone that led me half way around the world and keeps me glued to this surfing environment here that I have seen grow to what it is today in the Great Lakes."

This is a BYOB event and light appetizers will be served. Call us for details at 888-932-4575 x 1!

Nicaragua (pic)

2012-04-12T10:39:00.001-04:00

The Bing Surfboards crew invited us to join them in Nicaragua for a week; we leave tomorrow. In the meantime, our St. Joseph store is open from 10-6 ET 7 days a week, and the New Buffalo store will be open in mid-May. Stop in and see us.

We'll get some photos from the trip and share them when we get back. Here's one from in front of the house...

Upcoming Great Lakes Surf Art Exhibition (pic)

2012-04-10T16:42:00.001-04:00

Coming soon: details on the latest Third Coast Surf Shop Surf Art Exhibition at the St. Joseph store. Featured artist: the legendary Johnny Fox...

Mark your calendars for the opening reception party on Saturday, May 5 at 7:00pm ET.

Sea of Joy (vid)

2012-04-03T11:35:00.000-04:00

One in the trilogy (Hot Generation (1967), Evolution (1969), and Sea of Joy (1971)) of transitional surfing films by Paul Witzig in the late '60s and early '70s, Sea of Joy is a must see for those interested in what the 'shortboard revolution' looked like in real time. Considering the fairly crude equipment they're using, these guys still make it look fun. See the latest issue of The Surfer's Journal for a nice article on the film series, too.

Oh, you might want to turn the volume down and blast your own tunes (eek!)...

Cushe Slipper (pics)

2012-04-02T17:43:00.000-04:00

We're awaiting arrival of the new Cushe Slipper, one of the most lightweight, comfortable, and versatile shoes we've seen. Priced at $50, these are legit and will be in both stores in May...

Men's

Women's

New TOMS In Stock (pic)

2012-04-02T09:47:00.001-04:00

We are continually getting new TOMS in at the St. Joe store and will have a fresh stack when the New Buffalo shop opens in May. Come see what the fuss is all about.

Hangs Upon Nothing Trailer (vid)

2012-03-29T17:08:00.000-04:00

Our friend Jeremy Rumas is a Chicago surfer who happens to road trip to foreign lands from time to time to surf and shoot video of incredible waves. He just released the latest trailer for his upcoming film Hangs Upon Nothing. He also has a new website here.

Whaaaaattttt? Wow.

Hangs Upon Nothing - trailer from Jeremy Rumas on Vimeo.

Patagonia R1 Wetsuit (vid)

2012-03-29T13:38:00.001-04:00

Nice video showcasing Patagonia's new R1 wetsuit series. There is a good reason why these are some of the most functional suits in the world.

Heading West...(pic)

2012-03-16T15:57:00.000-04:00

We're taking a little trip to California for the next couple weeks. Erin (my wife), Oliver (our two month-old son), and I (Ryan, Shop owner) will be surfing and visiting friends from San Francisco to San Diego, and all coastal points in-between (including Rincon, pictured above). I'll do my best to update the blog along the way, and you can always check our Facebook page for updates.

Meanwhile, Chris (manager) and the crew will be holding down the fort at our St. Joseph store. The New Buffalo store opens in May. Come see us.

GL Photo Exhibit at Patagonia Chicago (pic)

2012-03-13T12:22:00.000-04:00

Our friend Mike Killion's Great Lakes surfing photography is being featured in a slide show and exhibit at Patagonia's new downtown Chicago store on Friday, March 30. As the Midwest's only Patagonia surf wetsuit dealer, we are stoked to help spread the word. Click the pic for more details...

Free Intro SUP Pool Session (pic)

2012-03-13T11:55:00.001-04:00

Third Coast Surf Shop, in conjunction with the Berrien Paddlers, is offering a free introductory indoor stand-up paddling (SUP) pool session from 2:00 - 4:00 ET on Sunday, April 29th at St. Joseph High School in St. Joseph, Michigan.

CLICK HERE for all of the details.

Dane's Insane (vid)

2012-03-06T17:43:00.000-05:00

In our eyes, Dane Peterson was the most dynamic surfer at the Vans Duct Tape contest we watched at Malibu last fall. He was ripping like he is in this video...

Pure Michigan (pic)

2012-03-05T15:31:00.001-05:00

Pure Michigan is the State of Michigan's tourism council, and one of the most successful in the country. They asked us to answer a few questions about winter surfing in Michigan and we were happy to oblige.

CLICK HERE for the story.

Photo: Mike Killion/Great Lakes Surfer Magazine

Aye, Captain (pic)

2012-03-02T14:22:00.000-05:00

CJ found this little ditty recently and shared with us (click to enlarge).

Aye, Captain!

Blind Man Surfs Pipeline (vid)

2012-03-02T14:10:00.000-05:00

Try closing your eyes next time you paddle out at your local spot...

Tyler Warren Insanity (vids)

2012-02-23T15:01:00.000-05:00

During our trip to the Malibu Invitational last September, we were lucky enough to surf San O with Tyler and Skip Frye on Skip's 70th birthday. They were sliding their brains out on some of Skip's loooong cruisers; some of the most beautiful surfing I have ever seen in person. It was impressive.

If Tyler Warren isn't one of the most well rounded, stylish, progressive surfers out there, I don't know who is. The youngster can surf anything, and does it better than most people. Here is a sneak peek a new film featuring he and some other incredible wave jockeys...

Surf, Baby (pic)

2012-02-22T11:27:00.003-05:00

Classic cover from an old Surf Guide. It takes on extra significance with a 6 week old boy at home. I need to get him a board like this...

Who Needs a Bing? (pic)

2012-02-21T15:59:00.000-05:00

We have a late March shipment scheduled with our friends at Bing Surfboards. If you've been thinking about getting a new board, whether something they have in stock or a custom, now is the time. We're talking free shipping for you, friends.

CLICK HERE for current availability of stock at the Bing factory, then email us (info@thirdcoastsurfshop.com) for pricing. We will need to put your order in ASAP so please don't delay.

And again, you get free shipping - you'll just need to pick it up at our St. Joe shop. Stoked...

Psychic Power

2012-02-20T14:14:00.002-05:00

This came across our screen the other day...

Hi,

My name is Melissa Kurpinski and I live and surf on the south shore of Oahu in Waikiki. I am a professional psychic in Honolulu and one of my clients who is Hawaiian lived and surfed in Michigan. I am originally from Jackson, MI and moved to Oahu to surf back in April. Anyways, during our reading your shop came up and we talked about the store. If your ears were burning it was us and you are talked about on the south shore.

Aloha-
Melissa

New Silver Beach Webcam (pic)

2012-02-18T09:23:00.000-05:00

Great news for local surfers and beachgoers; our friends at the Berrien County Parks Dept. recently installed a new webcam at Silver Beach! The real-time, wide angle camera is located at the concession stand and captures a wide view of the beach and lake. In fact, I'm watching waves roll in on it right now.

CLICK HERE for the webcam page.

Great Lakes surfers and stand-up paddlers are known to travel long distances to surf good waves, and cams like this make it much easier to see what they'll find when they get there. The Berrien County Parks webcam page also features updated wave and weather information, including air temps and wind speed and direction.

Be sure to bookmark this one, folks. Thanks to the Parks Dept. for an invaluable new resource!