WELCOME BACK ERIC: Evolution and Revolution in Sandbridge!

Words by Heath Scott

Evolution: “A process of continuous change from a lower, simpler, or worse to a higher, more complex, or better state.”

Revolution: “A sudden radical or complete change. A fundamental change in the way of thinking about or visualizing something: a change of paradigm.” (merriam-webster.com)

Here at Surf & Adventure Co. we are continually striving to evolve and be the best at what we do: designing surfboards and SUPs, guiding kayak tours, providing surf lessons, and generally motivating people to get outside and enjoy the wild environment from ocean to bay that southern Virginia Beach has to offer. We never like to sit still too long, and are always looking to improve our little shop on Sandbridge Road. The process of evolution is continually happening all around us, but rarely do we see true revolution. Luckily for our business, and ultimately our customers, we are about to experience a revolution, a true “change of paradigm.”

One of Surf and Adventure’s former full time employees, who moved on to work for the city of Virginia Beach over the past nine years, has decided to once again join our ranks full time. Eric Coulson, affectionately known as “Dr. Coulson,” because he’s an expert at just about anything he puts his mind to, and does so with an unassuming humility, came back into the fold on January 10th.

Anyone who knows Coulson knows there is no one else like him. If you don’t know him, you should. He has a truly remarkable story, one that never fails to inspire. A Sandbridge native, he has an unparalleled depth of ocean knowledge and surfing skill. After a brief bout with Leukemia while attending Virginia Tech, he decided to chase other pursuits outside academia, starting with a cross-country bicycle tour beginning in Virginia Beach, and ending in San Francisco, after a little side trip to Florida. Eric has surfed all over the world, including Fiji and Hawaii, and travelled through India. A man of endless talent, the one constant through his life, has been art. His preferred medium is carving wood, usually begun with a chainsaw, but he has produced beautiful pieces across all mediums. His most recent endeavor was a stint shaping bodysurfing hand planes with another former Surf and Adventure employee, Shaun Devine, under the name Party Missile. These have been sold up and down the East Coast, and shipped around the world. It’s hard to think of a better merging of his talent and passion than creating something where form and function meet.

However, if there is one thing that everyone agrees on, and takes away from a meeting with Dr. Coulson, is his infectious stoke. You would be hard pressed to find anyone more positive and energetic. At the crossroads of evolution and revolution, stands Eric Coulson. He has already begun revolutionizing the culture here at Surf and Adventure, bringing fresh ideas to improve our operation, and more importantly, offering his unique brand of enthusiasm for anything he takes on. He’s diving into a full workload, including not only managing the rental business, leading kayak tours, and teaching surf lessons, but also working with shop owner, Rob Lindauer and the good folks at 40 Toes Foamworks, to produce cutting edge surfboards for our customers. If you’re looking to step up your surf board game, or simply expand your quiver, stop in the shop and ask for Eric. You’ll leave with a big smile on your face, and a deeper understanding of surfboard design. It is impossible to overstate how excited we are to bring on our “new” employee. Thanks for coming back Dr. Coulson!!