Evolving Community with Chris Gentile

Swell Season Surf Radio

On this episode of the Swell Season Surf Podcast, we ‘talk story’ with Chris Gentile, the proprietor of Pilgrim Surf + Supply in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. We dive into Chris' diverse background in woodworking, photography, art, and fashion. We also cover Pilgrim Surf + Supply's upcoming Shapers Residency program featuring renowned shapers like Malcolm Campbell, Christian Beamish, and Rachel Lord. Chris opens up about the cultural and communal aspects of surfing, his approach to shaping boards, and the journey of founding one of the most influential surf shops in New York. We explore some of the highlights and evolution of Pilgrim Surf + Supply, the challenges and rewards of running a surf shop, and the importance of creating valuable and long-lasting products. There are a lot of hilarious anecdotes from years past and looking toward the future. If you surf in NY, this is requisite listening… Enjoy.
Go Check out Pilgrims latest and greatest at: https://pilgrimsurfsupply.com/ You can Follow them on Instagram at @pilgrimsurfsupply
The Swell Season Surf Podcast is recorded by The NewsStand Studio at Rockefeller Center in the heart of Manhattan and is distributed by The Swell Season Surf Radio Network.
For more information, you can follow @swellseasonsurfradio on Instagram or go to our website: www.swellseasonsurf.com
Music:
Artist: Minute Men
Song: Shit From an Old Notebook
Album: Double Nickels on the Dime
00:00 Introduction and Guest Overview
02:41 Chris Genteel's Surf Etiquette
04:57 Pilgrim Surf's Shaping Residency Program
09:38 The Art and Culture of Surfboard Shaping
29:56 Challenges and Rewards of Running a Surf Shop
37:06 Wearing Military-Inspired Fashion
37:56 The Relevance of Outdoor Gear in Urban Life
40:27 The Importance of Good Employees
46:20 Management Style and Employee Relations
50:23 Working with Family in Business
55:24 Unexpected Success in Japan
01:04:55 The Evolution of Pilgrim
01:08:30 Surf Shop Beginnings: Challenges and Surprises
01:08:58 The Birth of a Surf Community
01:09:53 The Creative Journey: From Art to Surfboards
01:10:51 The Vibrant Williamsburg Art Scene
01:11:40 The Need for a Core Surf Shop in NYC
01:13:49 Opening the Shop: Community and Collaborations
01:16:44 Memorable Events and Unexpected Visitors
01:24:42 Shaping Surfboards: An Artistic Perspective
01:29:37 Exciting New Projects and Future Plans
01:33:39 Final Thoughts and Farewell
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/swell-season-surf-radio--3483504/support.