The Ocean Sports Company

If you’re planning to ride the waves this summer, Ocean Sports Company should be your first port of call. Located in a lovely art deco building next to Woody’s Diner, it’s a mammoth store that keeps a great array of boards. The staff are clearly experienced surfers themselves and should be able to kit you out with everything from wet suits and rash vests to goggles.
If you’re feeling flush, Ocean Sports also stock some pretty cool, beachware including shorts, tees, flip flops and hoodies. Labels include Quicksilver, Rip Curl, Billabong and Roxy and there’s Vans sneakers for skaters.

Guided by own sinicism I went into Ocean Sports expecting what I usually expect from such places; an ultimately disappointing extreme shop full of nothing more than clothes, shoes and perhaps a few run-​of-​the-​mill skateboards. Thankfully I was wrong. While its income is bolstered by the large clothes section Ocean Sports is in fact well-​stocked with decent gear of all kinds. The knowledgeable staff can easily talk you through their decent range of Snowboards, Surfboards and skateboards. Don’t expect massive choice, as they do have to cram stuff in, but if you’re a first-​time buyer or simply looking for advice Ocean Sports will never leave you wanting. If only all extreme shops had such a favorable ratio of hardware to clothing.

Ocean Sports is a fantastic shop to go to for extreme sports gear and clothing. I have a passion for snowboarding and surfing and have to admit that this shop sells an excellent, large range of branded snowboarding jackets, trousers, goggles and boots, branded wetsuits, boots, gloves, rash vests as well as a top selection of snowboards and surfboards themselves. It’s always fun to go in and browse even if you have no intention of buying anything (you always come out wishing you had more money!)
The staff are very friendly and willing to help and give you knowledge on anything you may be unsure of. As well as gear for outdoor sports they also sell general surfer style clothing for men and women. They always have some lovely little summer dresses!
The store is large and right on the seafront with a classic surf-​lodge style of shades of light and dark blue. If you’re looking to make a serious purchase on a board of some kind or even if you just need some new outdoor clothes like a decent jacket or a new pair of snowboard trousers, Ocean Sports is definitely the place to go.

Ocean Sports is one of those edge-​of-​the-​city gems. The English Channel is as far removed from the three-​metre walls of water you might find in south western France or the endless rolling tubes of California. But somehow this charming light blue deco palace of all that is board related just takes you there, away from the back drop of suburban Sussex homes and commercial docklands below.
The staff seems to have been handpicked from locations around the world that any surf, skate or snow enthusiast would love to be in at any time. As a result the knowledge available to you on a visit there is comparable in depth to the breadth of products available. As with almost all British surf stores fashion has a massive hand in keeping this place afloat — as a result you can still expect to find kids’ clothes and the larger brands such as vans in abundance. Ocean Sports isn’t all about the image though with a great selection of boards and hardware available. This place has stock to appeal not only to the gnarly adrenalin junkie but also to his or her long suffering partners, friends and family.

Despite the distinct lack of surf in Brighton Ocean Sports seems to have a decent sized market. Judging by the massive range of stock they obviously pride themselves on their variety and expertise. As an extreme sports fanatic and occasional surfer I have to give credit to Ocean Sports’ ability to turn a profit in such a surf-​indifferent city. As it’s located well away from Brighton centre and beyond Hove lagoon you’d think matters would be worse but this isn’t in fact the case, as its isolation leaves it with no nearby competitors. Its unique art deco exterior probably also stamps its mark on whatever surf scene there is, as it’s the most memorable surf brand in town. All the staff are extremely friendly and helpful and the prices are exactly what you’d expect to pay for products of such quality. If you’re a resident surfer or just passing through it’s definitely worth checking out.

*Drool*
As a Surfer Girl, Ocean Sports provides the feed to my addiction. Selling everything one would need to engage in Surfing, Snowboarding and Skateboarding under one roof, Ocean Sports lives true to it’s name.
Carrying all of the essential labels for Buoys and Gulls (even the little ones) such as Vans, Roxy and Billabong (just to name a few), Ocean Sports supplies water sport fanatics with both fashion and function. With all equipment located in the back of the shop, you can try on the latest Quicksilver Boardies up front to go with your new 6“2 board at the back.
Ocean Sports also offers a wide range of Surf DVDs that can be purchased. Why not be a little bit jealous of big barrel surfing in Hawaii when it’s –10 in the Channel!
With an added bonus of being right beside Woody’s Diner you can treat yourself to a tall stack of Pancakes after you purchase a £250 wetsuit.