It’s time for another Wednesday with Wes Laine, where we highlight awesome gear and good vibes with our favorite local legend! This week, we’re diving into Catch Surf—a brand that’s all about fun, color, and keeping the stoke alive all summer long.
Catch Surf boards are perfect for beach days with friends, learning to ride, or just adding something fresh to your quiver. From classic long shapes to shorter, playful boards, we’ve got tons of styles in stock right now at Coastal Edge.
These boards are bright, bold, and super fun to ride—exactly what you want when the sun’s out and the waves are calling. Whether you’re brand new to surfing or just want to switch things up this summer, Catch Surf is a great place to start.
Come check them out in-store and get ready to make some summer memories. And stay tuned every Wednesday for more with Wes!
Where It All Comes Together: Fashion, Art & Music, Action Sports, and Sustainability
Every Memorial Day weekend, the Coastal Edge Steel Pier Classic Presented by Katin brings our community together in the most beautiful way. Now entering its 22nd year, this event is more than a surf contest—it’s a celebration of creativity, talent, and the passions that make Coastal Edge who we are.
One of the most meaningful parts of the weekend is the Coastal Edge Student Art Pavilion, a space where young artists from local high schools and middle schools get to shine. For many of them, this is their first time showcasing their work publicly—first time selling their art, and we’re honored to help create that moment.
Through the Student Art Pavilion, we give students the chance to display and sell their artwork free of charge. They are not only sharing their creativity—they’re stepping into the world of art with confidence, learning how to present their work, connect with an audience, and believe in their own voice.
The Vans Custom Culture Student Art Expo:
Thanks to our amazing partners at Vans, students can take part in the Vans Custom Culture Student Art Expo, where blank Vans shoes become one-of-a-kind masterpieces. Whether it’s paint, Sharpie, fabric, or even papier maché, students bring wild ideas to life—and the results are nothing short of magical. These shoes are part of a juried contest, with winning entries becoming part of a traveling art exhibit that’s displayed in Coastal Edge stores, at the Coastal Edge East Coast Surfing Championships, and more throughout the year.
We’re incredibly grateful to Vans for continuing to support young artists and providing such a creative and powerful platform for self-expression.
The Eastern Skate Supply Skate Deck Contest:
The creativity doesn’t stop there. Students can also design their own skateboards in the Eastern Skate Supply Skate Deck Contest, transforming skate decks into bold, personal statements. Like the Vans shoes, these pieces are judged, awarded, and showcased in the traveling art exhibit—giving students a moment of real recognition and inspiration.
A huge thank you to our friends at Eastern Skate Supply for their unwavering support and for giving these young artists a unique, exciting canvas to work on. Their continued partnership helps elevate this experience into something unforgettable for every student who participates.
Perhaps the most powerful part of the Student Art Pavilion is the way it helps these young artists take their very first steps as professionals. They get to sell their work to the public and experience the joy (and courage) of putting themselves out there. We’re right there to guide them, support them, and celebrate them every step of the way.
It’s moments like these—where students light up with pride, where families gather around a tent of handmade art, where a simple shoe or skateboard becomes a voice—that remind us why we do what we do. This event brings all our pillars—fashion, art & music, action sports, and sustainability—into one vibrant, meaningful experience.
We are so excited for the 22nd Annual Coastal Edge Steel Pier Classic presented by Katin, happening May 24th to May 26th, 2025. We cannot wait to see what this year’s talented group of students has in store. It’s going to be something truly special.
And to the incredible teachers who guide, inspire, and support these young artists every day—thank you. This event wouldn’t be possible without your passion and dedication.
And finally, a heartfelt thank you to Katin for helping make this incredible event possible year after year.
We were thrilled to meet with the O’Neill crew to explore the latest innovations in their wetsuit technology. Our conversation explored the features that make O’Neill wetsuits a top choice for surfers worldwide.
O’Neill’s commitment to performance and comfort is evident in their use of advanced materials like Technobutter 3X neoprene, which offers exceptional stretch and lightweight warmth. Their wetsuits feature various entry systems, including the Z.E.N. ZIP back entry with a free-floating zipper panel and anti-flush barrier, ensuring a snug fit and minimal water intrusion.
A highlight of our meeting was a conversation between East Coast surfing legend Wes Laine and Riley O’Neill, grandson of O’Neill founder Jack O’Neill. Their discussion touched on the legacy of innovation that Jack O’Neill established, starting with the founding of the O’Neill brand in 1952. Riley shared insights into how his grandfather’s pioneering spirit continues to influence the brand’s dedication to quality and performance.
Who says you can’t mix a little country with your beach life? Coastal Edge hit the sand three weekends ago for the Bulls and Barrels Beach Rodeo, and it was everything we could have hoped for — bull riding, barrel racing, cowboy hats, and salt air all rolled into one epic event.
Imagine this: powerful bulls kicking up sand, riders holding on tight, and cowgirls racing full speed around barrels with the ocean just steps away. It was a wild fusion of two worlds — beach culture and country grit — and somehow, it felt like the perfect fit.
We had an absolute blast cheering on the riders, soaking up the sun, and feeling that unbeatable energy when passion and adrenaline collide. Coastal Edge is all about that adventurous spirit, whether it’s catching waves or chasing down dreams on horseback. Both worlds came together, and it just worked.
A huge shoutout to Brixton for teaming up with us and bringing the perfect blend of surf style and western edge to the rodeo. Your support helped make this one for the books.
Thank you to everyone who came out and made the weekend unforgettable. This is what community is all about!
Catch you at the next one — boots or barefoot, we’ll be there.
Today on Grommet Vommit Podcast the groms, JB2 Supergrom and Duke Tansey are live from Coastal Edge Virginia Beach with special guests Ryan Sheckler and Wyatt Hammond. The new kids coming up in the skateboarding ranks are really throwing it down and no one goes harder than Wyatt Hammond. Wyatt is coached and mentored by the legend himself Ryan Sheckler and todays episode... is just fun. Get stoked and get outside !