Founded on faith
In Deerfield Beach, spiritual surfers can take a pilgrimage to surfer heaven: Island Water Sports.
The surfers that hang out at this 7,000-square-foot landmark have a strong dose of spirituality to go with their tans.
“Surfers are often searching,” explains Marcos Smith, the events manager.
The surf shop has a Christian foundation, thanks to founders Lucinda and the late Kirk Cottrell. In the early 1990s, Kirk felt touched by the Lord on a mission trip to South Africa. He moved his family to South Africa to spread the Gospel. For five years, the Cottrell ministered in Kommetije, a small costal village on the Cape Peninsula.
In 2001, Kirk died in a surfing accident, but Lucinda didn’t give up the shop. She still lives in South Africa, visiting the store three to four times per year.
“We are family-oriented,” Smith says. “A long time ago, before surfing was a fad…Island was an outreach, a place to form relationships.”
The surf shop is packed with cool merchandise, but most surfers generally aren’t looking for a new pair of flip flops or a surfboard. They come for good conversation and to hang out. And no one seems to mind either. In fact, camaraderie is the order of the day.
“It’s a happy surf shop,” Payne proclaims. “Kirk’s love of the Lord and love of the people trickle down to the staff and customers. I wouldn’t change anything.”