Business Q&A: RVC Surf Shop

The staff at RVC Surf Shop are gearing up for another busy summer. As Rockville Centre’s go-to spot for all types of surfing gear, the shop is fully stocked with equipment, apparel and everything you may need for a day at the beach. Owner Doug Sutermeister talks about the surf boards and water sports that are at the core of his business.

What makes RVC a good spot for a surf shop?

Overall, RVC is a beach community even though it's not right on the beach. Being so close, people are beachgoers. There are also a lot of beach club members in the community and these people do their shopping Monday through Friday since they are spending their weekends at the clubs.

What type of equipment do you have in the store?

We sell all types of traditional surf boards, including classic and short long boards, all kinds of boogie boards, skim boards and long board skateboards, also known as cruisers, for the street. We even have soft surfboards, which are made of foam and are very kid-friendly and safe. We also make and sell our own brand of surfboards, called Jade 8, which is named after my daughter.

Do you carry beach apparel, too?

We sell wetsuits that will keep you warm during any water sport and UV protected water shirts to shield you from the sun. In terms of clothing, we have everything from tip to toe. We sell sun hats, sunglasses, board shorts for guys, bikinis and sundresses for girls, flip-flops and more.

What are some of your most popular items?

The stand up paddleboards are becoming very popular. It’s an unbelievable core workout. Whereas on a traditional paddleboard you lay down, with these you actually stand up. You can use them either in flat water, like a lake or a bay, or in the ocean.

Do you and your staff offer surfing lessons or training?

Our surf lessons start at $50 per hour. We also offer paddleboard lessons. To gain interest in the stand up paddleboard, I encourage people to meet me at the beach while I’m boarding for a free trial. To find out when I’ll be boarding, you can call the shop at 516-766-7873 or log onto our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/rvcsurfshop.