Our BLog

We were stoked to host the MLive.com crew for a fun Southwest Michigan experience — kayaking at our Paw Paw River rental site, sandboarding at Warren Dunes State Park, and talking all things Great Lakes surf. The video below features an interview with TCSS owner Ryan Gerard, along with more…

Camp might be half a day — but the fun doesn’t have to be. In St. Joseph, it’s easy to keep kids moving, exploring, and smiling long after camp ends. With beaches, splash pads, and family-friendly spots all close by, turning camp into a full day of summer fun is…

A day at our New Buffalo and St. Joseph beach camps isn’t just about swimming, paddleboarding, and sandcastles — it’s also a chance for kids to learn amazing things about Lake Michigan! Whether they’re spotting fish along the shore or feeling the waves during paddleboarding, there’s plenty to discover. Here…

When it comes to choosing the right summer camp, many families find themselves deciding between a traditional day camp experience and something a little more adventurous — like beach camp. Both offer incredible benefits, but they create very different kinds of days (and memories) for kids. So how do you…

We’re digging into the archives to revisit the early days of Third Coast with this 2009 appearance on The Today Show (NBC). Mike Leonard visited our original surf shop in New Buffalo and met up with local surfers at New Buffalo City Beach for some cold-water waves. Back then, freshwater…

After a morning at beach camp, most kids aren’t ready to call it a day — and honestly, neither are parents. The New Buffalo area makes it easy to keep the fun going without overplanning. Here are a few of our favorite simple, go-to options after camp. Keep It Easy:…

A day at beach camp will work up an appetite for any kid! Halfway through each morning or afternoon session, counselors bring the group together for a snack break, giving kids a chance to refuel, rehydrate, and share a little extra laughter before diving back into surfing, paddleboarding, and beach…

Our journey began in 2005 with Third Coast Surf Shop, serving the growing Great Lakes surfing community through retail stores, lessons, rentals, and camps. In those early years, the shop was the hub — boards on the walls, gear lined up, and a steady flow of people excited about getting…