Wow! What an amazing journey that all started back in 2007 right here on Lake Grapevine near DFW Airport. 1o years later here we are, still doing what we love and continuing to introduce North Texans to an outdoor lifestyle of relaxation and adventure. Water is therapy and we founded a company supported by athlete coach therapists who have laid the foundation for a community that people call “home.” We look forward to many more years to come and we invite you to also join our surfing community- the DFW Surf Club.
In 2007 we entered the scene via wakesurfinglessons.com and helped pioneer a new way to surf and that same year we produced the first ever wakesurfing events in Texas including the Land Locked Surf Fest at Texas Mastercraft in Fort Worth. The new sport of wakesurfing was very much in its infancy and it was our goal to spread the word- one person at a time. Today the sport of wakesurfing is in full swing and it is amazing to see how many people are doing it compared to its predecessors- waterskiing and wakeboarding.
But wait … there was another sport where you can hop on an oversized surfboard and walk on water? Stand up paddleboarding (SUP) was the opportunity we had been waiting for. From Hawaii to California and Florida to Texas and the rest of the world- BOOM!!- this was what the world was waiting for and a chance for anyone and everyone to call themselves a “surfer.” You can use a “SUP Board” to paddle from point A to point B, you can surf it, you can do yoga, you can even surf with your dog.
Our original location near DFW Airport on Lake Grapevine grew quickly across the metroplex. The goal was to continue to introduce as many people as possible to the new “lake life”- from kayaking and waterskiing to inland surf sports- wakesurf and SUP. We opened up the first ever floating surf shop at Pier 121 Marina along with various other locations. If there was water, indoors or outdoors, we wanted to be on it, from lakes to rivers to aquatic centers like LifeTime Fitness.
As we enter into our 10th season we can’t help but think about all the amazing people we have met along the way. Special thanks to some of our original founders and crew from the early years including: Chad Rakestraw, Kyle Rutkowski, David Lawrence, Daniel Goldware, Katie Whitaker, Nate Richard, David Marold, Dirk and Natalie Tailford, Mike Kekoa, Don Anderson. Moving into the early SUP years: Tim Marek, Cody Forgy, Mike Fitzpatrick, Danny Braught, Steven Boylson, Sean Reavis, Justin Hammond, Jenn Bodnar, Konae Nowell, Jeff Stearns, Ashley Anderson, Ryan White, Sarah and Jake Nelson and Jeremy Reiber. Special thanks to Pam McWhorter for fostering our Womens Wednesday club surf night program. Special thanks to Team DFW Surf from over the years including: Alyssa Mize, Nate Richard, Ashley Kidd, Parker Payne and Perry Morrison. Special thank to our DFW Surf Club members and original members including: Kristen McGregory, Dwight Mullins. To our web designers, graphics and videographers including Russ Ryan, Michael Zeyda, Tim Marek Photography, Andra Dunn, Parker Dunagan, Spencer Smith, Max Fuerst and tech ninja Kevin Patel. For Grant “Ole G” and Scott Mccurry Band musical gatherings. Special thanks to all of our sponsors over the years including: Epic Boats, Scott Pellaton and Sanger Boats, Freedom Powersports and Centurion Boats, Fly High Fat Sacs, Kona Brewing Company, Weinbergers Deli, Sun and Ski Sports, Vernor Surfboards, Bomber Floating Eyewear, Red Bull, Bounce SUP and Yolo Board. For 2017 big ups to Waterski America and Malibu Boats. Special thanks to my family- Joe and Dixie Marshall, Alan, Thu, Tiffany, Eric, Taylor and Garon Marshall, Scott and Shelly Souder and Daddy Bill and Gigi Souder.
Here’s to another 10 years on the water!
Tyler Marshall
Founder