Surf World Surf Shop closed its doors in September 2026. It’s the end of an era.
​
The story began in 1997, when the owners purchased Island Water Sports in Dania Beach. They ran that store for five years before finding a larger location in Pompano Beach. In 2002 they opened Surf World Pompano Beach and soon after renamed the Dania Beach shop as well.
Surf World spent 15 years at 435 S Federal Highway in Pompano Beach before moving about four miles south in 2017 to 4411 N Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale.
For all those years, Surf World was more than a shop. It was a gathering place for people who love the ocean—a spot where surfers, skaters, and ocean enthusiasts connected, traded stories, and celebrated the water. Inside were boards, wetsuits, and gear, but also camaraderie and a welcome that made first-timers and regulars feel equally at home. Whether you were a seasoned rider or chasing your first wave, the goal was always the same: help you have more fun in the water.
As one of the few shops owned by a surfboard shaper, Skinner Surfboards, Surf World offered real insight into board design and helped customers find the right one. More than 40 years of local surfing knowledge went into every conversation. The shop carried a wide mix of surfboards, skateboards, paddleboards, and lifestyle gear, along with brands like Billabong, Volcom, Vissla, Vans, O’Neill, Reef, and more.
The focus never changed: the board-sports lifestyle, honest advice, and service that made walking through the door feel like coming home. From Dania Beach to Pompano Beach to Fort Lauderdale, Surf World existed to keep the South Florida surf and skate community stoked. That spirit—community first, ocean always—was the heart of the shop from 1997 to 2026.
Surf World Pompano Beach
​
 Surf World in Pompano Beach opened in late 2002, just before Christmas, at 435 S. Federal Highway. It sat next door to Tijuana Flats and built a reputation as a full-service surf shop rather than a boutique: surfboards, skate, a huge sandal wall, apparel (Billabong, Volcom, O’Neill, Vissla, Quiksilver, and others), and especially stand-up paddleboards. Surf World relocated to Fort Lauderdale in 2017.Â
Surf World also developed it's own line of surf wear. The Surf World Shop tees were some of best sellers. Â
Skinner Surfboards started in Florida when Randy Skinner started shaping boards in his parents garage in 1992 .We went through several names over the years, including Psycho, Stellar and finally now Skinner. The Skinner Surfboard company combines Randy's talents of computer design and hands on craftsmanship to produce a range of watercraft that blows minds. He has hand shaped over 3500 boards, everything from old school twin fins, high performance shortboards, Longboards and the latest performance surfing SUP's. We've developed a deep range of boards to excel in every condition. Skinner surfboards are built right in FL, so you know you are getting a top quality USA made board.Â
​
Surf World Fort Lauderdale
To everyone who walked through our doors, shared a story, trusted us with their next board, or simply stopped in to talk waves: thank you. You made Surf World what it was. The shop may be closed, but the friendships, the sessions, and the love of the ocean remain. We’ll see you in the water.
Surf World Pompano Beach
Surf World Fort LauderdaleÂ
Surf World moved to Fort Lauderdale in 2017 and ended retail operations in the fall of 2026. Â
