The Package.
I was fortunate enough to have met Sid Abruzzi in person, once, though in Florida not his home state of Rhode Island. He was there, at Surf Expo, milling about with a small crew, and we immediately hit it off, laughing about this and that, yellow beanies etc., wandering to his hotel for warm beers in a warm night to keep the laughs going.
There was something about him so unique, so utterly self-possessed, as to cast a dull light on me and everyone else who had attempted to make “surf” “life” but pulled the punch somewhere along the way.
Abruzzi has never pulled a punch. You can, and should, read Steve Rees’ profile (here) or listen to his gravely sneer (here) but in the meantime, it must be noted that his iconic surf shop, Water Bros., is set to close at the end of the month, being pushed out to make way for new rental properties.
Progress etc.
The Newport Daily News covered Water Bros. last full weekend in the space it has occupied for more than 30 years, writing:
There already was a steady stream of patrons, friends and fans flowing into Water Brothers surf and skate shop during the first hour it was open on Saturday.
By noon, the crowd blossomed into the dozens, filling the small retail space with a seemingly endless supply of memories and stories to share about the owner, Sid Abbruzzi, and his 50-year-old business.
“Sid’s always landed on his feet,” said Newport resident and skatepark advocate Michael Richards. “Water Brothers is so much more than a shop on Memorial Boulevard. One way or another, he’ll find another spot. Sid will always have a spot in Newport.”
The whole piece is moving, a nice tribute to who Abruzzi is and what he means, and I very much look forward to the opening of his new location, wherever it might be.
Heck, I’ll even come out for the grand kick-off.
Here’s to Sid, the most core surfer who ever was.
Package stamped, bull dozer demolished memories for tourists dollars in a brave new dimension of beach life. The icon, the hero gets a winter job at the airport instead of chasing another endless summer. But wait, the overweight trans woman isn’t singing. Our hero isn’t fitting in this box. He’s getting a new tattoo? He’s packing his van? Is he giving us the finger! Well we can only hope.
The whole of finals day sucked
..
Another “shark encounter” in Coffs Harbour district being reported now!
How do you know Sid?
Try again, I don’t know this fool but the east coast has never really been on my itinerary. Not sure what other “iconic” people that you are implying I missed over the past 50 years.
https://youtu.be/uQY6QP_1nGo
You having a rough week?
Nah, just wondering why so much focus on this guy, that’s all. Wasn’t trying to push any buttons this time.
Sid Abruzzi went to Supreme Court with other surf gnarists, to fight to legalize surfing in the rhody state. If it wasn’t for him, most of east coast surfing wouldn’t exist, or it wouldn’t have progressed into the influence it is today.
So you don’t know dick, and you are one. Double whammy.
underground, underated and undefeated – Sid rules. In Zuck’s world, there is no room for kind hearted retailers anymore…..
So, what the fuck does that mean?
Surfers will be surfers. WSL will deplore offsiders like this. Nevermind.
can you be considered “core” having never been awarded “co water person of the year”?
No tennis balls for sale in his shop. More core division before there was a MCD.
Sid is the last core lord on the east coast of the US. Call his surf line at 5 am and Sid (live) will tell you where to post up. Sid is honest, doesn’t sell “labeled” surf swag and keeps it all real. Sid is a gentleman, an original JBay rider and the best thing about RI surfing. He has time for Groms, Kooks, Hoedads and the assorted didgeridoos that flock to Rhody in the winter to score great wave. Sid is a true iconoclast.
Your name and the use of “core lord” fit together very well.
Those same surf shop owners who sell you that 6’0” or mid length are just as happy to flog off a log or sup. They aren’t your friend, Chas.
Mid length = log or sup
As someone who doesn’t know who this guy is outside your articles, I’m curious why you keep writing this drivel about him?
DR wants Sids package but Chas is the middle man.
Perhaps Sid learned some dark* secrets about Chas in that hotel room, Chas now being ever diligent not to upset his do’r-in’r.
*dork
Take a pilgrimage to Rhode Island and meet the man. You’ll quickly repent.
Bunch of sensitive ass motherfuckers on here. I simply asked a question about the guy and everyone goes ape-shit sensitive. Lighten the fuck up ya bunch of Frances’. Maybe its the use of the word drivel, but everything Chas writes falls into that category.
You didn’t simply ask a question. You called him out as a fool.
Fuck, true that. Poor choice of words on my part. Didn’t mean it that way but I did write it that way.
Probably because he’s an interesting character in a sport/culture that seems to be populated by less and less of em. One of the oldest surf shops around is getting the boot to build more short term rentals in a coastal town that feels increasingly impossible for locals to live. I’m sure a lot of people on here can relate to that, no? Half this site is Chas talking about the VALpocalypse and Derek posting ridiculously priced real estate and for some reason I feel like this is the terrible pandemic fueled culmination of both. Idk how but it is in my head and I’m sticking to it! Either way, Sid is the man, and if you don’t like reading about influential people in surf that might exist outside of your pocket, I’m sure there will be another Jonah Hill article for you to read tomorrow.
Sid is an icon in a surf district that really isn’t that big by comparison to parts. In the past, one tended to see the same cast of characters on bigger days at select breaks around R.I. It’s a challenge to stay commited to surfing in a area where conditions are fickle and frequecy sporadic. So, being a lifer in a surf community that isn’t really big enough to support a true surf shop, Sid derserve an atta-boy for being committed for so long. I bought my first “new surfboard” from Water Bros. back around 1990 as a kid. A white 6-6 WRV potato chip with glass-ons. Thanks Sid.