Just like an epic surf session with some good friends, everything in life must come to an end. So, marking the end of an era, Brighton Beach Surf Shop in Brant Beach LBI is closing its doors after a long east coast surfing legacy dating back to the 40s.
For those who know and love this place this is not just some surf bums trying to sell rash guards and surf wax. It all started when a man named Richard Lisiewski saw an article in popular mechanics in the mid 1940’s on how to make a surfboard. Richard gave it a shot, drove to the beach, and surfed all day on his newly crafted board. As legend has it the board flew off of his car on the way home and was destroyed! But this started something into motion and Richard got to work on his next board. By the 1960’s he was making boards with a partner and started matador surfboards.
Throughout the sixties and seventies, he operated a few different surf shops around the jersey shore and in the 80s they purchased the property and building that is Brighton Beach SS. By this time his son Michael had become an avid surfer and skater and started to get involved in the shop more and more.
You can read the full history here
https://www.matador.surf/about-us
And watch it here!
I had taken some lessons from the shop about 15 years ago and would visit occasionally, to check out boards and gear for me and my kids. This summer I met one of the resident surf bums named John up at their sister store Wave Hog and he was nice enough to invite my son and I to a party they were having to say goodbye to the shop. Upon arriving Mike greeted me and even though he barely remembered me he immediately told me to feel free to walk around back and upstairs to check things out. I didn’t waste any time in case he changed his mind!
The festivities started with a huge paddle out with about 50 surfers down on 84th street to say goodbye to the shop. The wind was fierce, but it didn’t matter. It was fun and symbolic to be out there. After a goofy surf session in the wind there was a great meal prepared by a bunch of the guys, probably the best tacos I’ve ever had. There were a bunch of musicians jamming out in the parking lot on the side of the building.
Mike Lisiewski is a no-nonsense kind of guy and lets you know exactly what’s on his mind but that’s part of what makes him and his shop great. He really just wants you to get out there surfing. Him and his family have supported countless people on the shore and beyond with jobs, mentorship, advise, and ways to improve their surfing. Just because they are closing Brighton doesn’t mean the party is over. They also own wave hog surf shop up in ship bottom which is run by mike’s protégé Max and has the same feel as the main shop. Mike assured me that they will continue the tradition at a new location so we will definitely keep you posted on what the future holds for them. What really sets this place apart is the essence of what we at unleashed love and what we are constantly in search of. It’s that raw, independent, realness. It’s something that you know as soon as you walk into a place. Are they looking to sell you the latest surf fashion or are they trying to help you get in the water with the right equipment and get stoked? Are the people working there wearing shoes? If so you’re probably in the wrong place.
It was hard to leave but we had to get back home to make it to work early in the morning. As the sun went down, they showed old surf movies on the side of the building and enjoyed a few beers. All I could think of was I wish every day to be just like this…
