Come on down and get out for FREE at our first demo day of the summer!

Reed Park is located on Manchester Harbor next to the train tracks on Beach St. It is the small shady grass park with some benches and a public dock. As you drive through town and pass Beach Street Cafe it is the first area on the right as soon as you cross the train tracks.

9 month old Makayla surfing with dad at Cisco Beach in Nantucket.

One year old Raquel surfing with dad at Ladies Beach in Nantucket.

Now there are stand up paddlers all over our beaches, harbors, lakes, rivers, puddles and any other body of water big enough to float a board. Paddling with out a PFD can lead to ticket/fine so why go out with out one? There are some fine details written into the law…  for example you need a PFD when using a SUP “beyond the narrow limits of a swimming, surfing or bathing area.” What that really means is that if you are SUP surfing in the breaking wave zone or paddling in a designated swimming area your paddle board is considered a surfboard and not a vessel so you don’t need a PFD. Beyond those limits you are considered a vessel and do need a PFD.

Say you are at a beach that has swim buoys 50 yards out from the edge of the shore that designated a “swim zone”. Inside the buoy line is a swim zone and usually outside that line is where boats are allowed. So if you are allowed to paddle in the swim zone you don’t need a PFD. If you paddle across the boundary into the boat are the paddle board becomes a vessel and you are required to have a PFD.

Here in Manchester by-the-Sea, Harbormaster Bion Pike does enforce the PFD rule. While I haven’t heard of anyone being fined, he will give a loaner PFD to paddlers he sees out on the water who aren’t aware of the law. Here in Manchester you have to have a PFD anywhere in the harbor, if you are headed out to the islands, or if you are going offshore at any of the beaches. If you are just paddling around right off the beach (say within 75 yards) then you don’t need a PFD and can be free!

There are some other details for the SUP PFD law here in Massachusetts. Children 12 years old and under must wear a PFD (USCG approved Type I, II, III or V) at all times. All paddlers over 12 must have a PFD (USCG approved Type I, II, III or V) but they don’t have to wear them, they can be attached to the board. Of course we all have big PFDs in the form the boards themselves. It is always a good idea to wear a leash to help keep the board close by!

We carry a variety of different PFDs at the store including PFD in a Bag, kids and adult wearable PFDs from MTI and O’Neill, Inflatable PFD belts from MTI and Stearns/Sospenders.

PFD in a Bag

MTI Journey PFD

MTI Fluid Inflatable Belt Pack

Stearns SOSpenders Belt-Pack PFD

The Re-Stoke T-shirt is available in charcoal in adult sizes S-2X. It is printed on 69% recycled shirts and they are unbelievably soft and comfy and built to last. The front chest hosts a spin on the classic recycle symbol but outfits it with a modified series of Shakas. The back lower corner features the Surfari Manchester by-the-Sea Lat Long logo.

Come grab this iconic T to help keep the stoke flowing all summer long for stand up paddling and surfing!

Surfers in a local bank ad for business lending… who knew!?

It’s exciting to welcome a new dining option to Manchester by-the-Sea. Best of luck to our new neighbors on opening night! Below is the description from their FB page.

Foreign Affairs Wine Bar & Bistro comes to picturesque Manchester-by-the-sea with a fresh approach to American Bistro Cuisine, featuring a unique International flair. Over 40 wines (also available by the glass) have been hand selected by our knowledgeable and passionate staff to perfectly compliment the culinary creations of Chef Doug Papows. Foreign Affairs and Chef Doug proudly source from local and sustainable farms. A passion and dedication to dishes crafted with regional ingredients is evident throughout the menu, specials, and cocktail list. Rounding out the experience is the extremely creative and seasoned professional Pastry Chef Saskia Nugent; she will be creating memorable and unique desserts to compliment and complete your culinary adventures each week.

We are offering some great stand up paddle packages to get you and the family in the water this season as well as discounts on the following items…

• Bikinis 25% Off
• Boardshorts 25% Off
• Backpacks 25% Off
• Surfari Rack Pads 20% Off
• All coiled SUP leashes 20% Off
• 4/3 wetsuits 15% Off
• Bodyboards 10% Off
• Skimboards 10% Off
• 15% Off SUP accessories with paddle board purchase

REI Sale Price Match
We have more boards, more paddles, more accessories and more experience when it comes to stand up paddling so skip their sale and come to the source. We will price match their sale price on the following two products that we carry this weekend only.

• 9’6″ SurfTech Universal $879.93
• Kialoa Kids Adjustable Pupu Paddle $139.93

Memorial Day SUP Package #1

The Riviera 10’6″* is a perfect board for first time paddlers. Very stable cruiser that comes with traction, and a built in handle for carrying. Ideal for touring & surfs well. It has a slightly pulled in nose and pinched rails for better maneuverability in the surf.

Werner Fiji Paddle* with Recreational Fiberglass reinforced injection molded blade and a fiberglass wrapped shaft offers performance at an introductory price. A low cadence shape gives you immediate power and good stability. Great shape for straight ahead tracking.

*Colors vary, while supplies last.

Length: 10’6″
Width: 32″
Thickness: 4 3/8″
Volume: 171.1L
Fins: 2+1

Price $825

Memorial Day SUP Package #2

10’6″ SurfTech Generator* has a blend of surf and flatwater capabilities which makes the Generator paddleboard perfect for paddlers who like the simplicity of having one board for all conditions.

SurfTech Venture Adjustable Paddle* with aluminum shaft and ABS blade provides a lightweight connection to the water and stands up to abuse. Paddle adjusts from 67″ to 83″.

Length: 10’6″
Width: 32″
Thickness: 4.25″
Volume: 166L
Fins: 2+1

Price $930

Memorial Day SUP Package #3

Riviera Select Series 10’6″* With Riviera Select Construction, we have found the balance between lightweight and unmatched durability. RSC is a combination of Carbon Fiber, Fiberglass, Bamboo, and a layer of Riviera’s proprietary material SYNTEK. These materials are then bonded with epoxy resin in a heated/pressurized mold. The Riviera RSC comes in orange, blue and Lime.

Fiji Two Piece Adjustable Paddle* with Recreational Fiberglass reinforced injection molded blade and a fiberglass wrapped shaft offers performance at an introductory price. A low cadence shape gives you immediate power and good stability. Great shape for straight ahead tracking.

*While supplies last.

Length: 10’6″
Width: 32″
Thickness: 4 3/8″
Volume: 171.1L
Fins: 2+1

Price $1299

I took out one of our lesson/rental/demo stand up paddle boards which was a 9’6″ SurfTech Universal. I have to say I was surprised by how it performed… it was a blast to surf! I also took out my trusty GoPro HD Hero2 mounted to an old Gath surf helmet with the GoPro Helmet Front Mount to shoot some POV SUP surf vids. Even though it wasn’t the new GoPro Black, my old GoPro took some great little videos.

Here’s a little video from this morning for Aloha Friday!

The first week we started with the bare basics of stand up paddling and kept inside the inner harbor, getting familiar with paddling and turning. Expending upon the basics we are now honing our stroke technique and paddle skills as well as extending our range to the outer harbor.

Yesterday we got out to Sand Dollar Cove just as the tide had bottomed out to be greeted by small waves breaking on the sandbar courtesy of a little mid period SE swell. The wind was light and the sun was bright so it was time to try a little SUP surfing. The waves were tiny, but perfect for the adults to put their turning and paddling skills to use SUP surfing. We ended up staying out and extra hour with those who had the time to play because it isn’t everyday that the conditions come together for a SUP surf session in Manchester!

Tanya Stubbs catches her first wave at Sand Dollar Cove!