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There was not one particular event or experience that led us to create this business. Rather, it was a string of happy coincidences. Firstly, Mike Kololyan and I (Mike Reinhardt) were on the job market after graduating college but were a bit disenchanted by the idea of having to commute to the city every day all the way from Rockaway and sitting behind a computer screen. Both of us have had to make similar commutes for high school while attending schools in Manhattan and Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. So, we began to think outside the box about how we could turn our lifelong passion of surfing into a career. After much brainstorming, we realized a few things: 1) there is a quickly growing interest in both surfing and the Rockaways and 2) there was no surf instruction service that was operated by life-long locals who know the area best. For the record, this is not a stab at other surf schools. We love the other guys and they provide great services as well. As a result, we created Locals Surf School. We just thought that it would be a unique experience for new-comers to take lessons with local surfing veterans who would use their localized knowledge and experience to provide them with excellent surf lessons and then guide them around Rockaway’s day and night life so that they could get a feel for what it’s like to be a local.
 

We are both born and raised in Rockaway and have lived here since.  We’re not exactly sure when we met because it was a long time ago. But in a community like Rockaway you know everybody. So it was only a matter of time before Mike and I became close due to our similar hobbies, passions, and like-mindedness.

The term “local” can be intimidating. We definitely soften that image. Mike and I are super nice. However, we do respect the experienced locals of our community by teaching all of our students about the rules of safety and respect in regards to surfing. This prevents people from bumping head and keeps everybody happy, locals and visitors alike.

No experience necessary. We actually encourage beginners. Surfing is such an amazing thing that we feel privileged to be able to share it with people. Also, for those who have tried surfing and are looking to step it up, we offer more advanced lessons too.

We’re already starting to see changes with the opening of some surf oriented restaurants, shops and bars. There have also been many nice condominiums and family homes built within the past few years. I hope this continues so that Rockaway can be an exciting and vibrant beach community like it once was.

That is true; there is a lot going on in the city. But I think that statement overlooks the fact that Rockaway is in the city. We are just a quick subway ride away from “the city” that is often seen as just Manhattan. But besides that, it is quite easy to get caught up in urban life, whether you are constantly behind a computer screen at work or simply going from building to building to carry out your daily activities. For this reason, I think it is really important to briefly escape that. So, there is no better way to do that than to try surfing. It is such a pure activity with fun and a connection with nature being its core elements. For those of you who have never tried it, you’re simply missing out.

If you’re lucky, you can be on the water with these fellas! Mike + Mike

Facebook.com/LocalsSurfSchool