I can remember being 12 and my Dad taking me to the surf shop back in Carlsbad...WITT'S CARLSBAD PIPELINE! That was the spot. Going there became a ritual. Dad would patiently post up in the corner somewhere while I wandered, wide-eyed amongst the surf gear. Although I did want stuff and did buy tons of stuff over time, usually I would just be content to browse. It was like going to a museum. I would study the gear, caress the gear, hold the gear and when something was exceptional I would call to my Dad so that he too would be educated on the latest and greatest.
Witt was usually behind the counter and he would happily show me anything he saw me staring at. There was never a feeling of having to buy anything or having to rush out. It was a place to kick back. There would always be other surfers, big or small, just like me wandering around the shop.
On the occasions, of which there many, that I would acquire some goods Witt, or whoever was behind the counter, would always throw in a bar of wax or a sticker! I'm talking ALWAYS! Sometimes Witt would throw me a sticker after just browsing. As far as I knew that was just how surf shops worked. It was awesome! To this day, the Witt's logo is my favorite!
These memories came flooding back to me after a recent experience at AQUA SURF SHOP. I don't browse as much these days; I went in there to grab a new winter wetsuit. I knew exactly what I wanted, tried it on and was done. After purchasing it the owner Aleks just threw in 4 bars of wax!!!
In a flash, I was feeling that joy like that 12 year old kid again! In terms of monetary value the wax is worth pittance but to bring back the stoke of childhood is priceless! Thanks Aleks for keeping the old school alive!
