I have an old prone Paddleboard I had tried for a few years to get some work done on. I could never get anyone they works on boards to even call me back. Surf Ballard took up the challenge and exceeded expectations. I had wanted to get 2 fin bays on the bottom replaced with larger fin bays and have one installed on top for a water bottle holder. The traction pad was really old and there had been some amateur patch work done right next to it. Also the nose and tail were pretty beat up and looked like some other amateur patch work had been done there. I had hoped they would be able to do all of this but they couldn't. They had the foresight and did due diligence by contacting the original shaper and found out that the fin bay installation would not have been supported by the internal structure. So disappointed they couldn't do it but stoked they found out before cutting in and destroying the board. They were able to take care of everything else and I heard the old traction pad was a b&tch to get off but they did a great job and for a great price. See before and after pictures. read more

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If you're prepared to carry your own kayak rental by wheeling it from the site, across the street, across the beach parking lot, down the steps and onto the beach and load yourself in, this place is for you. I'm not used to having to do everything myself. What is even more disturbing is that, they do mention as part of the directions, if you have difficulty carrying it, especially if you have back problems and such, no staff member can help you. There's also no staff at the beach to help in anyway. We got there at 440 pm which is ten min later than our appointment at 430, only to be told we had to wait for our kayaks to be cleaned after we struggled to find parking. For the time it took to wait for the kayaks to be cleaned, to the transport back and forth, if you want more time on the water for the buck, go somewhere else like Moss Bay or WAC or even Greenlake. If you are late in returning it, it is $1 per minute. read more

I love this surf shop!! It's exactly What a small local business should be!! The owners are well knowledgeable and love to get everyone out on a board! If you are looking for a great surf shop in the Seattle area this is it! read more

Grace from surf Ballard helped out today after I needed to cancel my appointment due to an emergency. She was super helpful and made the process of cancelling very easy for me. She followed up with me directly when she had issues and was able to resolve it very quickly . Thank you Grace ! read more

I've been stand-up paddling in the Seattle area for 3 years, and this is my favorite place to rent from. While you have to pay attention to the wind and tides, it is way better scenery and animal/marine life (seals, sea lions, bald eagles, osprey, sea stars, etc) than Lake Washington or Lake Union. No two days are ever exactly alike. It always makes me laugh when people give one and two star reviews and then admit that they were in the wrong (came back late, took life jackets off the boards) -- pretty obvious entitlement issues there. Just follow the rules and everyone has a good time. The staff here are super friendly and once you rent a few times you feel like an old friend. Now they have a new online reservation system to rent boards too, which makes it even more convenient -- just be sure to make a reservation on sunny summer weekends (although winter paddling is great too!) read more

Surf Ballard - Paddling at sunset - Outdoor Gear Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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I was about to head out for some paddle-boarding and surfing when I realized I needed a wetsuit for the lovely cold water in the Puget Sound. I went to Surf Ballard and got a P E R F E C T neoprene wetsuit. The process is notoriously difficult to get right, but the team were experts and helped me navigate the process of picking the right wetsuit. If you're looking for high quality wetsuits then this cute shop is a 5 / 5 read more

A friend and i came to do 2 hours of stand up paddleboarding with a groupon deal we had. Our reservation time was at 3:30pm and like the instructions said, we were there 15 minutes early to get our gear. Once there, they informed us that they had just sent another group out and that we would have to wait a bit. we weren't out on the water until 4:00pm, but were still told to come back at 5:30. I felt a bit jipped, but I probably should have said something as well. Either way, we had a great time out on the water and paddle boarded out to the lighthouse at Discovery Park. They provide wet bags to put any keys (or you can leave them at the shop) and cellphones into to keep them dry while you're out. They are also conveniently located next to Paseos in case you work up an appetite! read more

Awesome place to SUP but they're kind of a pain to rent from. (Play phone tag) I get my friends to rent from here and bring my board. Mainly a bit hostile relative to other places I've rented from. (The helper people are nice just a few are like: seriously. I get it's stressful but still. And it wasn't just one occasion.) One thing that is a pain is you have to drag the board across the street. Worth it for the view and location but normally joints that are like that are a bit friendlier. I've now rented from several places and have my own but the one borrowed from these guys felt.. light. Not sure but something about it was wobbly. It is neat how they have the fast boards though, which might be fun for an intermediate SUP fan. Also, cute shop. read more

Surf Ballard - Storefront on a rare sunny day! *Very rare* ;) - Outdoor Gear Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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The owner made someone in our group cry by yelling at her after she secured her life jacket to the board incorrectly because it was inconvenient for him to untie the knot she tied. He stood over her and was verbally abusive to her while he made her untie the knot. It really wasn't a big deal. Dude needs to chill. read more

This was my first time paddleboarding and I really enjoyed it. I know the experience really depends on the weather, but the people were super friendly and there was a chow chow hanging out nearby. Paddleboarding tip - Take note of the current and wind! My friends and I had leisurely paddled out to Discovery Beach Park (lighthouse!) in an hour when we decided to turn around. But because we were now fighting against the wind and current, we came back 30 minutes late.. oops. Tip: Watch the intro video at home so you know what to expect. Also, watch out for boats coming out from the Ballard Locks! read more

This shop has provided a lot to the community. New owners are great - Dave was super helpful and went out of his way to help me get dialed in with winter surf gear - he was very stoked, nice, and helpful in getting people out on the water! Looking forward to some more SUP journeys from the hidden beach cove across the street, out to Discovery Park point. read more

My friend and I went to Surf Ballard this evening hoping to sign up for Monday. We were just in the neighborhood and it looked fun so we thought we would pop in and just ask. We were met with rudeness and lack of customer service. Upon arrival we asked the host if we could rent paddle boards for this coming Monday. The host, assuming he was the business owner based on other poor reviews about him, threw attitude at us and said, "if you had gone on the website you would have known that we are only open Thursday through Sunday. Next time save us the time and go on the website." Guy is rude. If you don't like your business then maybe don't be in customer service. Never going there again. You treat customers poorly and word gets out fast. I'm sorry you don't like your life. read more

Very upsetting experience at the shop. My buddies picked Surf Ballard for some kayak and paddle board rentals. We got stuck behind the draw bridge traffic (act of God) and were 15 mins late. Upon arrival the man complained that we had ruined his system of rentals and threw paperwork in front of us with hasty instruction. Let's just say they were FAR from welcoming... What's worse is that both employees were much friendlier to other customers and after dropping $100 I really didn't appreciate the attitude. Tips for Surf Ballard: Customer service is king, treat your clients like they deserve to be treated. If you're having a tough day, suck it up and be glad you're in business. read more

So much fun! Had a great time, and the owner gave us a great "course" recommendation for our rental time. We will be back!

I was visiting Seattle for the first time and I used a Groupon to do 2 hours of Stand Up Paddle Boarding- great deal. It was a beautiful afternoon on the water. However, I had to carry the board down to the water myself, which was challenging. Despite the weight to carry, the board was still lighter than I'm used to and provided less stability. Overall, I'd recommend Surf Ballard to my friends in Seattle. read more

My previous experiences at Surf Ballard have been fine. Mellow staff and chill environment which is perfect for a surf shop. My recent visit there has changed my feelings for the shop and I'm never planning on shopping there again. I came in simply to ask if they carried used suits but the man who helped me treated me like I couldn't tell a fin from a leash. I left feeling belittled, insulted and couldn't believe they would ever treat a customer like that. As a retail manager for another local outdoor store I was appalled . Sorry Surf Ballard you have lost a loyal customer, forever. read more

First time out paddle boarding and saw a seal! I had been wanting to do this since I moved to Seattle. We had a fun time out on the water, it was a bit more exhausting than I expected due to the choppy conditions and boat traffic ~ but had a great time nonetheless. What to wear: Rent a wetsuit if it's cold ~ meaning if you fell in, you would not warm up in 15 minutes. If it's not cold, trunks and a t-shirt will do. Leave your stuff in the car, and you can leave car keys with them at the counter. Flip flops are fine and you can strap them in when you get on the water. I would suggest this to my friends! read more

We came here on a Sunday for paddling. The staffs here were not courteous at all about renting out their boards. They also did not bother to give us specific instruction or safety check. They also did not help us with picking out or carrying our paddle boards. Worse of all, they made us carry our boards back and forth without any assistance. The walk from the shop to the beach is pretty far when you have to carry the boards. Service is pretty terrible here. Love the scenery, but I would not come back because of the staffs here. Update: I like how the shop staff Andrew would review Yelp comments and degraded people for their reviews. Instead of offering apology and how to make things better. He sounds even more condescended. Again, prove my point with rude staffs and poor service. Thank you! read more

Cute little shop with knowledgeable people. I just wanted a dress. The lady was so caught up telling the person on the phone exactly what she had in stock I had to wait about 10 minutes to get a price. Perhaps they need more staff as I was one of three people waiting for assistance... read more

Went stand-up paddle boarding for the first time. I was super excited to try it out. The boarding itself was fun, but I was pretty disappointed with my rental experience. First, they knew it was my first time but didn't offer any instruction or anything. Only when I came back did they say "did you watch the video?" No- nobody said anything about a video beforehand, when it would have been useful! The bigger problem was this place is located about a block and a half from the beach. Not a long walk, but when you have to carry a giant heavy paddle board to and from the shop by yourself, it can be tricky. I could barely lift the thing, and got stranded on the beach for a bit on my way back until I could get someone to help me pick it up. I was really surprised they didn't get it down to the water for you- I know the places on Lake Union just put you right in the water. I would paddle board again, but with a different company. I'll do Lake Union next time. read more

I'm still an island girl at heart. I love being in the water and the Puget Sound is such a gorgeous place to do standup paddleboarding. Yes, it's a hassle to haul your board across the street and down to the beach, but do it 2-3x and you'll get used to it... And the view is breathtaking; it's totally worth it. Yes, the "beach" is kind of gross with algae (we are in Seattle after all and it's 20 minutes away from downtown; it really doesn't get much more convenient than this). Let me tell you a story: Once upon a time, there was a not-so-little girl who couldn't figure out what made her happy (and was in denial that she was unhappy). One day, she felt like she needed to get herself out of a rut, so she quit a good job, left life in the big city (and her awesome friends!), and moved back across the country with no plans on what's next. She got some help, self medicated plenty, tried a cocktail of psych meds, read a bunch of self-help books, and more... Randomly, she found Surf Ballard, found herself on a paddleboard in the Puget Sound and she felt 100% at peace. I'll spare you the hippie talk, but I think there's something incredibly soothing about being in the water, being gently rocked back and forth by the tiny waves, against the vastness of the ocean. I'm happy staring at the water, floating on for what seemed like forever (okay, 2 hours) with no plans, no direction and no purpose whatsoever. While you might not find your ultimate bliss on the paddleboard, you're bound to have fun while getting a good workout. Andrew is awesome and everyone else who works there is super friendly and efficient. They get really busy in the summer time, so be sure to reserve your board online (surfballard.com) or call ahead. You're likely to see some adorable seals and jellyfish (they look like plastic bags at first glance) along the way. And if you're not blown away by the blue sky, the water beneath your feet, the mountain ranges and the gorgeous Pacific Northwest landscape, you're probably dead inside :) It's also a fun social activity. I've taken out of town guests, friends, family, and just about anyone I can drag along with me. Every single person (except for my sister, who can't swim and was pretty much scared to death the entire time) kept saying what a great idea it was and how they couldn't wait to go back. I took one of my out of town friends here last week. Since it was kind of spontaneous, he showed up in sneakers (while I was in my daily uniform of flip flops, shorts and tank). Andrew was so kind to let him borrow a pair of waterproof booties and to squeeze us in for two boards despite them being super busy. Another time, my friend and I came here for evening SUP yoga and despite the 75-degree weather, it was pretty damn cold once you get on the water and they let us borrow sweaters! Andrew & team are just really knowledgeable, considerate and amazing all around. I highly recommend Surf Ballard. As if you need more incentive to try them out, they also have Groupons! And they're located right next to Paseo! Go! Bring a towel, wear something that can dry quickly (lululemon shorts and workout tops are great), and don't forget sunscreen. P.S. That's probably the only downside to this place, they sell a small bottle of sunscreen for like $10! P.P.S. They rent out waterproof pouch for $3 so you can bring your phone and take pictures of the seals (if you're like me). You can also ask them to keep your keys for you while you go SUP-ing. P.P.P.S. Their bathroom rocks. read more

Surf Ballard - Outdoor Gear Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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My friend and I had a deal to use this place for SU-paddle boarding. The rental process and getting set up in the water were both okay. Hauling the board across a busy street was a little frightening. The gals that helped us were friendly and nice. However, the owner dude had a little bit of an attitude. As for the SU-paddle boarding experience, I have to say it kind of sucked. I've been in Hawaii and the Puget Sound in no way compares. There were tons of large boats coming back and forth and causing wakes that can be daunting for newbies. Also, the boards seemed lighter/less stable than the ones I had in Hawaii. I'm not super familiar with boards, but I've certainly had better experiences SU-paddle boarding. read more

I'm not impressed with this place. Bought a Gropuon with a friend for a 2-hour paddleboard rental. From my first interaction with they guy working the front desk he was rude to me. He was a bit condescending and generally just not very friendly, and it seems that others are complaining of the same thing, so I'm guessing it's the norm here. That I could get over, but the bigger problem was that they have you carry the paddleboards a couple of blocks back and forth. Seriously, those things are heavy, and after you get out of the water, the board is covered in sand and seaweed, so it's super hard to hold on to, and the sand rubs against your arm. We had a really hard time getting the paddles to stay attached to the boards on the way back to the shop, and it fell out for the 4th time while we were crossing the street, so it was dragging around. Not fun. At the VERY least, they should provide some kind of clip to attach the paddle to the boards. But, really, they should have some kind of dolly that you can carry the boards across the street and through the long parking lot on. They have people sign up in 2 hours blocks, so there are a handful of people putting the boards in the water at the same time and returning to the shop at the same time. They could easily help out their customers (many of whom are way too small to carry these boards alone) by making one trip out with the dolly every 2 hours to drop off and pick up boards. The equipment itself was fine. The poor service I could deal with. But because of the way they expect you to move the equipment back and forth, I will never rent from this place again. read more

My experience at Surf Ballard: paid $40 to carry my own board, trek through twenty feet of algae before hitting water to teach myself how to paddle board only to carry my board back across a busy road and drive home covered in sand. A friend (fortunately larger male friend with muscles who was able to help me carry my paddle board to and from the water) and I went to Surf Ballard with the intentions of having some fun in the sun. We were "greeted" by a man who told us to be back in two hours or we would be charged. As some other customers struggled crossing the street with their boards, the same man shouted that we should just take their boards and paddles. Lucky for me, mine was covered from top to bottom in algae (as was the life vest). We crossed the street and headed down a narrow "path" (worn out grass from customers cutting through to get to the landing) and proceeded to walk down 4 extremely steep steps. From that point, we treaded through the algae and eventually got on the water. Why am I giving this place two stars? Well, once we got on the water everything was amazing. We faced the same struggles on the way back, however one of the employees actually helped me carry my paddle board for the last 20 feet after it slipped out of my hand in the middle of the road. I definitely do not see myself going back here again. There are many other paddle boarding options in the area. read more

Question to all the people who gave 2 stars because they had to carry the Sup board they rented. IF YOU RENT A BIKE DO YOU EXPECT THE SHOP TO RIDE IT UP A HILL FOR YOU? If you answered NO then welcome to the real world of physical activity. I know a SUP is heavy so knowing that plan accordingly. Ok done with my comment. I dropped by to get some wet suit cement and the guy working was very nice and helpful they had what I needed and he answered my questions about Sup rentals. I will be back for future surf supplies. read more

The draw to paddle boarding here is that you are in a bay...not so crowded and there's a chance to see lots of wildlife, seals, etc...However, we saw no seals, it was low tide so we had to walk through a ton of muddy, smelly seaweed to get started, as well as carry the board to and from the shop - about 1.5 blocks. I went with kids so they had a really tough time! I have paddled here before, at high tide, saw seals and had a great experience here. Today was just pretty bad and we were entertaining a friend from out of town. Instead of lunch we went straight home and showered since we were smelling pretty bad. read more

I love Surf Ballard. I always end up hanging out here for waaaay to long. Which is only worsened by the awesome coffee bar upstairs now. These people love to surf, plus they're just fun to hang out with. They have gangs of badass gear and surf-porn to get you stoked. Oh, and they always have some kind of food to feed you. LOVE IT! read more

Got an amazon deal for SUP. The ladies at the shop were very nice. The shop has an instructional video online (if you're a newbie watch it! So helpful). Also, highly recommended to make reservations online. Only downside as many reviewers have mentioned is having to carry the board across the street to get to the water. The boards were a little heavy for my friend and I on the way back to the shop after paddling for 2 hours (thankfully, a kind gentlemen offered to help us. Thank you stranger!) We tried to paddle out to discovery park. We probably got 3/4 of the way there but headed back with an hour left because we were worried we wouldn't make it back against the wind. Overall, it was a fun experience and I would definitely want to give it another try. Tip: bring cash with you to grab some Paseo's next door after paddling! read more

Today was my second time renting from Surf Ballard & it was a truly cool experience. We took the last slot, 5:30-7:30, and enjoyed the golden end of the day with bald eagles overhead and very friendly seals trailing behind us. I think one of them was a selkie, beckoning us to join him... We also saw planes, trains and tugboats. The surf dudes running the shop are helpful, I forgot sunglasses and a watch and they lent me both. SUPing is exercise and if you do yoga or some other upper body exercise, carrying the board (and balancing on it) is less of a big deal. Strong mountain pose keeps you afloat! read more

I did a groupon for stand up paddle board. As a complete newbie, I was a little nervous but paddling to Discovery Park's lighthouse was pretty fun. I fell off maybe 3 or 4 times, but what I did was take breaks where I kneeled on the board to give my legs a break. The public access road you walk to get the beach is a little awkward, but this is actually really common in surfing communities. Some of the best surfing I. Oahu can only be accessed by walking run down public access roads, which is what this reminded me of. The customer service was pretty good, they will store any items of yours that you don't want to get wet by their cash register. I also asked a few questions about the equipment as I think I may want to purchase a board in the future, and she was very informative. Their merchandise is also really cool. I'm really glad Seattle has a surf shop, I'll be sure to come back. read more

Surf Ballard was awesome. I visited Seattle for the first time in 2013, so coming back, Surf Ballard was the highest thing on my to-do list. I went there twice during the week I was there. You can rent paddle boards right across from "The Sound". It's extremely convenient, and once you walk across the street, you're in an easy launch position to enjoy the water. There's a little harbor/bay on one side, and the Sea Wall bordering Discovery Park on the other side. Both provide amazing views of the water. If they're not busy, you can ask for a few moments of extended time to enjoy the bay, but I thought it was a fantastic way to spend the afternoon. The staff was really helpful, and it's right next to Paseo's and a cool little coffee/smoothie stand (open Wed-Sun). I recommend going to Surf Ballard, if in Seattle, to enjoy a great day on the water. read more

Fun surf shack just south of Golden Gardens. Paddling the sound is an adventure - especially on an advanced board that goes much faster. We made it to the lighthouse of Discovery Park and back in 90 minutes, including a break in the middle. There are boats coming from the Locks as you first leave the small bay, then the waves can get pretty rough due to the vast open water and large watercraft coming by. It's fun once you're used to it! Great staff, and a fun place to ride your bike, paddle, eat cuban sandwiches, drink a corona, and enjoy Seattle's surf community. The only negative to Surf Ballard is the walk to the beach carrying the heavy board. Wear good shoes - my flip flops were not a smart move. read more

I've never been paddleboarding before and had a blast trying it for the first time yesterday! You make your reservation online and you can watch the short instructional video (6 min long) on the website before you come in if you wanna maximize your time on the water. Equipment is in great shape and it only takes a couple minutes to get you a board and paddle. You have to walk your board across the street to the beach which is no big deal... The boards aren't heavy. It took me a while to get the hang of it and I fell in the water only twice! But by the end I was standing on the board and paddling away. We paddled down to the draw bridge and back. I saw two seals! It was fun just chilling in the water and admiring all the houses with private beaches. read more

Modified Review I would like to modify my review because the employee of Surf Ballard contacted me over Yelp to apologize and try to fix the situation. This was very honorable and I appreciated their effort to rectify the situation. I am leaving my previous review below, just to show my first honest reaction, but I am changing my review because I am very impressed with their effort to fix the situation, I feel a lot better about the business, and would be willing to give them another try. Previous Review The service was a bit short, front desk people were terse and not very helpful, with a rude demeanor, it broke the mood of the leisure time activity from the start. The actual equipment was not the problem it was the people who were unexpectedly rude, on the phone and in person. I would choose another establishment simply because of that, because why tarnish your recreation time with their negative condescending attitudes, especially when you are not returning any negativity toward them. They continue to treat customers equally, like garbage to be disposed of as quickly as possible. We heard others renting at the same time commenting on the service. If I had received better service I would have rated higher - the equipment was fine but the service was not. read more

I stoped by to grab a T-shirt and some wax and ended up staying and talking with the new owner. Lisa is lovely and Stoked on paddle boarding! They had a nice selection of T-shirts and hoodies and had just gotten in a bunch of Xcel wetsuits. I'm glad to see the shop is in good hands. I'll definitely be back! read more

Staff wasn't very friendly to me and my sister, a bit condescending when I didn't have the right reservation number printed out for SUP rentals. There are better options for SUP locations, but the Groupon is a great price. read more

Best store ever!!! Thanks for the fun day and all the helpful hints. The boards were top of the line and staff was knowledgeable. Will definitely return! read more

Stand up paddle board yoga is awesome! Hasna is the instructor I had twice so far and she's super great. All of the other staff were friendly too but, she's my fav! The experience is great but the location, price and people make it so worth it. read more

I don't leave Yelp reviews that often, but I purchased a groupon for two 2 hour paddle boarding lessons as a surprise for my boyfriends birthday. Let's just say we both had a blast! My boyfriend is asking if we can go back tomorrow! read more

Surf Ballard - Mastering the paddle board and the Sound. - Outdoor Gear Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Highly recommend!! Great shop and great people :) This will be a lengthy one but worth it if you read on! Management has changed in the past few months and one of the biggest things I love about this place are the new owners. Supporting a local family business is wonderful when you can see and feel the care they are putting into remodeling the whole place (with good vibes too). 3/13/2021 Lisa answered my call of distress after I'd left my paddle at home after getting to the water at golden gardens, she assured me a rental would be quick and easy so I could just pop in. A quick drive down I made my way into the shop and was met with kindness as she asked if I had just called. We got the paddle and I browsed around to find the right pair of booties to get as well. After helping me find a few options I may like another costumer asked for some help and she assured me she'd be back. Dave was close by and I asked his opinion on which thickness would be best, he knew the details to help me find the perfect pair! With a Card and PayPal option it helped to get back the change from the cash I paid with. I asked a few more questions about my board and equipment and had help looking at it while checking out options while they offered to help install when I chose to change some things I had mentioned. At the end of a good day on the water we got to have a good chat while I returned the paddle and said hey to their doggo. read more