Air & Earth, MT PLEASANT

The crash of the waves. The smell of salt spray. Sudden gusts of wind whipping in from off the water. For most people, a trip to the beach is a once-in-a-while vacation, but for the aquatic athletes at Air & Earth, it's just another day at the office. Armed with an armada of paddle boards, surfboards, kiteboards, and skateboards, their instructors share their own water-walking know-how during lessons held on the gentle surf that laps the shores of Mt. Pleasant and the surrounding barrier islands. After learning the ropes atop their board of choice, customers can decamp to the board shop, where new equipment and accessories from brands including Palm Head Boards, Dakine, Smith, Olukai and Reef await new owners.