Today we’d like to introduce you to Philip Antman
Hi Philip, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I am a lifelong surfer, born on Sullivan’s Island. I have always loved the ocean and I started surfing on my boogie board at 5 years old. I grew up on the beach watching surfers down at Bert’s on Sullivan’s Island. I fell in love with surfing and began traveling to surf at 11. First I went to North Carolina, and Florida then down to Costa Rica at 12 years old. I returned many times to Costa Rica to surf and lived down there in my 20’s. I went to Hawai’i in 2000 for the first time and learned about the history of surfing and the rich Hawaiian culture. I got a degree in Marine Biology at the College of Charleston. I then worked for about 10 years in Marine Conservation, participating in research and community based conservation projects from the East coast down to Costa Rica and Panama. After 10 years or more of mostly working in Marine Science I decided to start Salt Marsh Surf Co. officially in 2021 as the world was coming out of COVID-19.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Starting Salt Marsh Surf Co. has been a pretty smooth road. However, before 2021 commercial surf lessons were not allowed on the Isle of Palms beach. It was very tense in the beginning waiting for the rules to change just to be allowed to apply to start my business. The city opened up a process to apply for a Commercial Surf Instruction permit on Isle of Palms in 2021. It was pretty nerve racking having to ask for special permission and leave the decision up to the city council. The council was all non surfers and they don’t really understand how surf lessons impact the beach, so it was anybody’s guess as to how it would turn out. So far the demand has been super high for my services, and I feel like I started at the perfect time. However, the city of Isle of Palms has required me to reapply each year, not for my business license, but for special permission to even run a surf school. Folly Beach, in 2021, was not allowing any new surf related businesses to apply. Now in 2024 they are allowing new businesses to apply, but they are not approving any new surf schools on Folly Beach. I’ve only been allowed to operate on the Isle of Palms legally, and I’ve had to reapply each year. As I’ve been growing in the proper way, other competing businesses have started operating without a license or permit. I’ve had to deal with competing businesses that chose to defy the rules and not get a business license but still offer commercial services. Then after Isle of Palms made a deadline to apply, they didn’t uphold the deadline and let the formerly illegally operating business to get a permit to operate. So I’ve been dealing with frivolous rules and unfair practices.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Salt Marsh Surf Co. is a grassroots surf school owned by Sullivan’s Island native, Philip Antman. We proudly provide top notch surf lessons and surfboard rentals to the greater Charleston community, and visitors each year. Salt Marsh Surf Co. specializes in group and private surf lessons, a once a week Adult Surf Fit class, and our world famous Kid’s Summer Surf Program. We also offer a wide variety of quality rental surfboards. The Kid’s Summer Surf program, for kids ages 8-15, meets 9 am – 11 am Monday – Friday on the Isle of Palms at 21st avenue on the beach. Our surf lessons and our Kid’s Summer Surf Program are both famously fun and safety focused at the same time. The registration for the Kid’s Summer Surf Program starts each year at the end of January on our website saltmarshsurf.com, and usually fills up fast. We are known for being a fun loving, grassroots, community minded business. Over the years of being in business we are most proud of all the wonderful surf lessons and experiences we’ve been able to share with others. Our success is due to our lifelong passion for surfing and nature that we inspire in others. We have a fantastic team of instructors that all love what they do and cherish the chance to share their enthusiasm for surfing. We have been fortunate to have customers of all ages, from all over the world, and from all walks of life: trust us to take them surfing, help them stay safe, to share, and learn together. We pride ourselves on extending the feeling of being part of the surf tribe, and after each lesson giving out free stickers that say “Surf Fam” to welcome new members to the extended surf family.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I consider life to be full of risks. My view on risk is that you need to be aware and cautious of risks before undertaking them. Some risks will be unknown and we can’t account for them but we should try to be safe and access risk before doing something. In my business I haven’t taken many major risks. I’ve intentionally paced my growth of the brand and business to be more organic and driven by demand rather than trying new things just to see if they work. When I save up the money to invest I’ve done so, but I’ve never risked anything I couldn’t afford to lose. I can get by with a lot less than most people and that helps. Surfing has taught me that you have to take risks, and commit 100% to your decisions. Surfing has taught me a lot about life, and that a lack of commitment will always lead to failure.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://saltmarshsurf.com
- Instagram: @saltmarshsurf
- Facebook: Salt Marsh Surf Co. – Isle of Palms, SC
