Whalebone

"Jim dedicated his heart and soul to live the lifestyle we love," surf industry magnate Bob Hurley admits. Back in 1974, Jim Vaughn was a disgruntled South Florida surfer who let the formalities of a steady, well-paying job get in the way of his water time. So instead of going postal, he packed up and moved to the wave-rich region of North Carolina's Outer Banks and started selling surfboards.

"In hindsight, I couldn't have picked a worse place to open a retail business than the Outer Banks," Vaughn laughs. "But there were times when I'd chase people out of the shop so I could go surf. The shop didn't gain much ground at first but at least I got some really good surf."

The original shop in 1975 was an old house at Whalebone Junction, right at the entrance to the National Seashore. Once the shop grew and moved locations north to Nags Head, it was an excuse to drop the "Junction" and the Whalebone Surf Shop of today, with its pirate flag, was born.

"Our logo has been good to us. I wanted something that captures the area," Vaughn smiles while acknowledging the skull and crossbones on his chest. "Plus, I think everyone has a little pirate in them."

"Without guys like Jim, people like me do not exist. He loves his sport and works awfully darn hard. In fact, he is even more relevant today than the day he started surfing."

-- Bob Hurley

A notorious jokester and comedian, Vaughn's light-hearted approach to life has made him greater than simply an Outer Banks fixture. "I've never met a more stoked surfer. He has inspired and nurtured (and tortured) countless groms and is funny as heck," Hurley says. "Without guys like Jim, people like me do not exist. He loves his sport and works awfully darn hard. In fact, he is even more relevant today than the day he started surfing."

Of course, Whalebone isn't a one-man operation. Vaughn's wife, April, has been his partner since 1984. "I get to have all the fun and talk surfboards and go surfing," he admits. "She's in the office sweeping up after me and all the problems I've caused. She's turned my piling system into a filing system."

Vaughn aims to hire knowledgeable employees who actually surf, instead of the seasonal college kids on summer vacation. "I also carry the best products out there - ones that my employees are proud to stand behind," Vaughn says.

Today, Whalebone Surf Shop has locked in two key Mid-Atlantic locations. The Virginia Beach location, which opened 10 years ago, is more of a year-round business while the Nags Head shop slows down tremendously after Labor Day due to the OBX's seasonal tourist traffic. Regardless, Whalebone Surf Shop remains a haven for core surfers and weekend warriors alike.

"We try to carry the best selection of surfboards available at a fair price and every accessory that goes with surfing," Vaughn proudly states. Between the two locations Vaughn stocks 350-400 surfboards from top shapers like Al Merrick, JS, JC, Bill Johnson, Sharp Eye, Surftech, Chilli, Stretch and more. And despite tough times, Whalebone was even able to wrangle some of the East Coast's first Simon Anderson thrusters back in the 80s.

"The last recession took me a long time to dig out of but I'm more prepared for this one," Vaughn remembers. "I've lived through one and was hoping I'd never have to live through another one. We are in a better position for this one but everyone is just going to have to ride it out."

And even though retail has slowed down across the country lately, Vaughn's longevity and positive attitude ensures he'll weather the storm, so to speak. After all, hurricanes have been whipping his Outer Banks stores for over 30 years... so, what's a little recession?

Interview Provided By Surfline