Santa Cruz is famous for its surfing. Surfing in Santa Cruz is some of the best in Northern California. It may not be the same level of surfing as Southern California but it is similar to Southern California. Santa Cruz has a north and south rivalry though we call it east and west because it is based on whether you are on east or west Beach St. So which shop you go to will depend a lot on where you surf.
The truth is that most surf shops are created pretty equal. What you can expect from a surf shop is boards, wet suits, rentals, stickers, board shorts, and other surfing related items. Board shops normally have layed back employees who are usually very helpful and nice. Surf shops probably will not really tell you the best spots those are local secrets. Surf shops are also pretty expensive you will not find good deals at a surf shops but you will find what you need and want. Even though the surf conditions may be different in Northern and Southern California the atmosphere at a surf shop is the same.
Often the reason to pick a favorite surf shop is silly. A common reason to pick one shop over another is because it is close to where you park, it is next to that restaurant you like to eat at after surfing, or even it has a cute girl working there you like to flirt with. Typically the surf shops will all be pretty much the same with very similar merchandise and prices so picking one is pretty arbitrary.
In Santa Cruz the spot I go to is Cowell’s Beach n’ Bikini Surfshop located at 30 Front st in Santa Cruz. The reason I go here is that it is close to where I park and where I like to go when I am done surfing. At Santa Cruz the surf can be good or none existent so being by a spot that has stuff to do besides surfing is good. Cowell’s is close to the best spot in Santa Cruz to surf and is the closest surf shop in Santa Cruz to the beach. The Beach is just across from Cowell’s. Cowell’s has a great location.
Cowell’s is named after the beach across the street called Cowell’s. If the surf is no good at Cowells they will tell you even if you are just renting they will tell you not to rent from them because the surf will be bad. Cowell’s also will tell you if the surf is good somewhere else in the city. While I surf the west side at Steamers which Cowell’s is a part of I occasionally have to go to Pleasure Point if the Lane is flat and they will tell you and if you are new to the area they will give you directions. Cowell’s employees are knowledgeable about the surfing conditions and will be happy to let you know what to expect that day.
Cowell’s has foam long boards to rent for $25 a day and wetsuits are $15 or both you can rent for $30. If you never surfed then the foam long boards are good to use. They will suggest you surf at Cowell’s across the street if you are new, if you have surfed before you should still start at Cowell’s until you get used to the surf there and then go farther down the cliff. Cowell’s will be happy to help you out with things you may not know such as which wax to use depending on the weather though most of the time you use the wax for the cold but in the summer while the water is just as cold they may suggest a different wax. It is little tips and help like that which make Cowell’s a good surf shop.
Besides being close to the beach Cowell’s is also close to the pier, the Boardwalk, and my favorite Felafel spot in Santa Cruz the Felafel Hut. Regardless of the surf conditions you will have plenty to do at near Cowell’s. Cowell’s is a great place to go even if the surf is not great I still go over there and check the store out to see what new stuff they have. I may not buy because of the cost but I will remember which new DVD or whatever it is they have and get it somewhere else. Being so close to one of the best spots in Santa Cruz and having such helpful employees makes Cowell’s a great surf shop not just in Sant Cruz but anywhere.
