Rhode Island Surf Co.

What Rhode Island Surf Co. does

Rhode Island Surf Co. is a privately held specialty surf and lifestyle retailer headquartered at 12a High Street, Westerly, Rhode Island. The company operates a single physical flagship store combined with a Shopify-powered direct-to-consumer e-commerce site, selling a curated assortment of proprietary branded merchandise alongside third-party surf and lifestyle brands (Rhythm, Vissla, Sisstrevolution, Seea, Amuse Society, Bimini Blue). The product mix spans custom and in-stock surfboards (including soft tops, bodyboards, skimboards, and fins), wetsuits across warm/cool/cold water categories with accessories, and apparel for men, women, youth, and baby, plus home essentials, artwork, and surf/skate supplies.

The company's go-to-market combines product-led merchandising, community-driven retention through the RISCO Surf Club membership program, and event-driven experiential retail such as pop-ups with local artists and potters. Pricing is unit-based across apparel and equipment (roughly $5.95 accessories to $975 custom surfboards), supplemented by annual subscription membership and usage-based surfboard/SUP rentals. Customer segments are horizontally diversified across men's, women's, youth/family, and gift buyer personas, all served at SMB/individual level.

The business is local in scope, with shipping across the continental US and international currency support on the storefront, but no disclosed revenue, headcount, funding, or external investors. Recognition is anchored in the 2024 RI Monthly Readers Poll award for Best Locally Owned Mens Boutique and a roster of named artist collaborations (Tim Jump, Walle Hutton, Dylan Bomeisler, Corey Driscoll) plus an ambassador program (Cate Brown, Will Evans, Corey Favino). The technology stack is standard Shopify with print-on-demand, and the company has no disclosed AI/ML capabilities or proprietary platform technology.

Name

Rhode Island Surf Co.

Legal name

Rhode Island Surf Co.

Website

https://rhodeislandsurfco.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Rhode Island Surf Co. is a privately held specialty surf and lifestyle retailer in Westerly, Rhode Island, operating a single flagship store and Shopify e-commerce site selling surfboards, wetsuits, apparel, artwork, and home goods, with a RISCO Surf Club membership program serving individual consumers across men's, women's, youth, and gift segments.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Surf Equipment and Apparel Retail

SIC

Retail-Apparel & Accessory Stores (5600), Retail-Misc General Merchandise Stores (5399)

akta.pro primary industry

Surf & Beach Sports Retail (Surfboards, Bodyboards, Skimboards) (CRAMAIAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Water Sports & Marine Recreation Retail (Paddle/Surf/Dive/Boat Accessories) (CRAMABAI), Marine Apparel & Footwear Retail (Wetsuits, Rash Guards, Deck Shoes) (CRAMAIAJ), Marine Recreation Rentals & Tours Retail Counter (On-site Sales) (CRAMAIAM), Marine Parts, Accessories & Maintenance Supplies Retail (CRAMAIAB)

Keywords

• Surf apparel retail
• Custom surfboards
• Surf equipment
• Wetsuits and gear
• Surf lifestyle merchandise

Headquarters

HQ city

Westerly

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Apparel and Accessories Sales: One-time product sales of men's, women's, and youth apparel including branded t-shirts, hoodies, jackets, shorts, hats, and accessories. Includes both proprietary Rhode Island Surf Co. branded items and curated third-party surf/lifestyle brands.
2. Surfboards and Water Sports Equipment: Sale of surfboards (custom and in-stock), bodyboards, skimboards, fins, and related water sports equipment. Includes both new boards and used selection.
3. Wetsuits and Gear: Sales of wetsuits categorized by water temperature (warm, cool, cold water) and wetsuit accessories including boots, gloves, and hoods.
4. RISCO Surf Club Membership: Membership subscription program offering discounts on products, adventure camp discounts, and other member benefits to support year-round surfing passion.
5. Surfboard and SUP Rentals: Short-term rental of surfboards and stand-up paddleboards (SUP) to customers.
6. Home Essentials and Gifts: Sale of home goods including candles, books, artwork, ceramics, and gift items like koozies, mugs, and eco-bottles.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Rhode Island Surf Co. is a Westerly, Rhode Island-based surf shop that sells surfboards (custom-built through The Shaping Bay and in-stock), wetsuits, bodyboards, skimboards, fins, surf essentials, and apparel for men, women, and youth. The store also retails curated lifestyle merchandise including home goods, artwork, and books, while running the RISCO Surf Club membership program and offering surfboard and SUP rentals.

Product overview

Rhode Island Surf Co. operates as a surf-centric retail experience offering a curated mix of surf equipment, apparel, and lifestyle products. The core product line includes custom and in-stock surfboards (fish, hulls, soft tops), bodyboards, skimboards, and complete wetsuit offerings for warm, cool, and cold water conditions with corresponding accessories. The apparel portfolio spans men's, women's, and youth/baby categories featuring branded Rhode Island Surf Co. merchandise alongside third-party brands like Rhythm, Vissla, Sisstrevolution, Seea, Amuse Society, and Bimini Blue. Additional offerings include surf essentials (wax, leashes, ding repair), board bags, skate products, home essentials (candles, books, decor), and artwork. The RISCO Surf Club provides a membership program with discounts and perks. The company also offers surfboard and SUP rentals, and partners with artists for exclusive collaborations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• RISCO Surf Club: Membership program offering customer discounts, adventure camp discounts, and confidence-building experiences for exploring surf crafts and equipment.

Products and services

• Custom Surfboards (The Shaping Bay)
• Surfboards In Stock
• Bodyboards and Skimboards
• Wetsuits
• Men's Apparel
• Women's Apparel
• Youth and Baby Apparel
• Surf Essentials and Board Bags
• Skate Products
• Home Essentials, Artwork, and Books
• Surfboard and SUP Rentals
• RISCO Surf Club Membership

Quantifiable outcome

• Voted Best Locally Owned Mens Boutique by RI Monthly Readers Poll 2024

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• DownEaster Pottery / AlexaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal potter who collaborates on pop-up events including the Flower Bar Mother's Day event. Creates custom pottery pieces (vases) that customers can purchase and customize with floral arrangements at in-store events.
• Tim Jump (Secula Surfboards)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArtwork collaboration for the Osprey Tee product line. Summer 2024 collaboration featuring surf bird artwork.
• Walle HuttonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArtwork collaboration for Class Signature Tee (2024 Summer collaboration) and custom surf artwork sold in-store including 'Custom Artwork Dark Blue', 'Sunset Right' canvas prints.
• Dylan BomeislerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArtwork collaboration for Fin + Flowers Heavy Knit Cotton Tee featuring vintage-modern surf design with flowers and flex fins.
• Corey DriscollminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArtwork collaboration for RISC Beaches Tee featuring RI-based artist collaboration with beach-themed artwork on the back.
• Jonas ClaessonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAuthor of 'Surfing Animals - The Magic Trip Book' sold in-store as part of baby/kids gift assortment.
• Rhythm (Surf Brand)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThird-party surf brand carried in-store featuring women's dresses, jumpsuits, swimwear, boardshorts, and men's pants. Major supplier of swim and lifestyle apparel.
• VisslacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSurf brand carried in-store featuring kids swimwear including Ecolastic boardshorts and Tropicanica boardshorts.
• SisstrevolutioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSustainable surf apparel brand carried in-store featuring women's swimwear, everyday bottoms, and the Sunset Dreams Sweater.
• SeeaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWomen's surf swimwear brand carried in-store featuring Brasilia reversible bikini bottom.
• Amuse SocietyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWomen's lifestyle brand carried in-store featuring Meadow Fleece Jacket.
• Bimini BlueminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSurf apparel brand carried in-store featuring UPF 50 performance hooded long sleeve surf tees.
• OpinelminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFrench knife manufacturer carried in-store featuring No.7 kids knife, No.08 folding knives, and No.9 oyster knife with paddock handle.
• BarebonesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOutdoor/lifestyle brand carried in-store featuring Railroad Lantern.
• Whalebone MagazineminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSurf magazine publisher carried in-store featuring 'The Slow Issue 2023' and other surf publications.
• Olia (Handcrafted Jewelry)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMaui, Hawaii-based handcrafted jewelry brand carried in-store featuring lava rock necklaces, sterling silver pieces, bracelets, and earrings.
• Keith BessetteminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal Rhode Island artist whose surf photography artwork (Matunuck, Ocean House Sunset, Watch Hill) is sold in-store.
• Daniel FullerminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArtist whose artwork 'Liquid Horizon' is sold in-store.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Rip Curl: Global surf brand selling wetsuits, apparel, and surf equipment direct to consumers. Comparable through category overlap in wetsuits and surf apparel that also anchors Rhode Island Surf Co.'s assortment.
• Ron Jon Surf Shop: Large multi-location surf retailer carrying surfboards, apparel, and accessories at scale. Broader incumbent in the surf retail space with overlapping category assortment but materially different scale and footprint.
• Jack's Surfboards: Established Southern California surf retailer with a deep surfboard, apparel, and accessory assortment. Comparable as a longer-established surf specialty retailer with a similar merchandising focus, though at materially larger scale.
• Quiksilver: Global surf lifestyle brand selling surfboards, apparel, and accessories direct to consumers. Comparable as a leading surf brand carried in Rhode Island Surf Co.'s assortment and competing broadly for surf lifestyle dollars.
• Billabong: Global surf lifestyle brand with direct-to-consumer apparel, wetsuits, and accessories. Comparable as a major surf brand competing for the same surf lifestyle consumer wallet and increasingly selling DTC, bypassing independent retailers.

Direct peers

• Stewart Surfboards: California-based surfboard maker and retailer offering custom surfboards alongside accessories. Comparable through its custom surfboard program, which mirrors Rhode Island Surf Co.'s Shaping Bay offering.
• Heritage Surf Shop: New Jersey-based independent surf shop with a similar assortment of surfboards, apparel, and lifestyle goods. Comparable as a small East Coast surf retailer with strong community orientation.
• Hansens Surf Shop: Long-running independent surf shop in Encinitas, CA offering surfboards, apparel, and accessories. Comparable independent surf shop model with a curated multi-brand assortment and entrenched local following.
• Cinnamon Rainbows Surf Co. Independent East Coast surf shop based in New Hampshire offering a similar mix of surfboards, apparel, and accessories. Highly comparable as a regional independent surf retailer with a curated brand assortment and local community focus.

Emerging players

• Surf Diva: Women's surf-focused brand and surf school offering apparel, accessories, and lessons. Comparable as a niche player addressing a surf-lifestyle segment (women's surf) that intersects with Rhode Island Surf Co.'s women's assortment and surf community programming.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/rhodeislandsurfco
• Instagraminstagram.com/rhodeislandsurfco
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rhode-island-surf-co.

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rhode Island Surf Co.