There are a ton of people in L.A. nearly 13 million to try and give you and exact number and a good 130,000 live in the Venice Santa Monica area. There aren’t many breaks to choose from along the beaches that provide shore for some kinder of breakers and let me tell you from experience more often than not they are...shore breakers. It’s a tough surfing existence but if you go everyday and stay core it is pretty dang cool to surf dog town. You have an area that is bordered by Playa Vista on the south that leads into El Segundo, West L.A. and Culver City to the east, Santa Monica ’s famed California Incline leading to PCH and up the coast to Malibu on the north side.
The cities that are most connected to the beaches of Marina Del Rey, Venice and Santa Monica are fairly well known but also you can add in Mar Vista, a humble community just inland from Venice and probably part of old Dog Town.
Mar Vista contains a jumble of thrift shops, various ethnic eats, hardware stores, a few unique clothing stores and one remaining core surf shop. The Rider Shack on Washington.
I stumbled on this place fairly simple and un-assuming on the outside, patient and quiet, 
while the area surrounding it is going off and buzzing with the activity of the AA meeting place next door, the always busy car wash across the street and the 99 cent store on the other corner.
Inside the place is like the friendly home of some weary surf traveler who finds relief inside from the crazed city just beyond the door. It’s dang cheery in there and you can even plop down on a tropical couch and read a magazine while scanning the room for your next bikini or board bag purchases.
Let's travel into Mar Vista to talk to Jeff & Lacey the owners of the Rider Shack.
When did you guys open?
November 2006
What inspired or motivated you to open a surf shop?
Both Lacey and I were tired of our other Jobs. Lacey worked as a staffing agent and I was part owner of an entertainment company. Feeling unsatisfied we determined to find something better. Lacey always wanted to do something fashion oriented and I always dreamed of having a laid back surf shop. As a result we formed Rider Shack.
Tell me about the special events you guys put on?
At Rider Shack we try to do monthly Surf Movie Screenings, BBQ’s, and were talking about doing art shows
Where do you guys go for lunch runs in the area? (it can be different for different people)
Our favorite places to dine in the area are The Outdoor Grill directly across the street, Tito’s tacos just up the street, Hurry Curry over on Venice, Pizzarito in Marina Del Rey, and when we have some extra time we love grabbing grub from Baby Blues BBQ in Venice.
Does everyone live in the area?
Yes, everyone that works at Rider Shack lives within 2 miles of the shop. Most of our employees walk or ride a bike when they come over.
Is there a Shack home break?
Our closest home break would have to be the Venice Pier & Breakwater but we do love to venture up north towards County Line and down south to Encinitas. These are always our first choices. The girls like going to Huntington .
Who are your top selling shapers?
Rich Pavel, Matt Biola, Greg Webber, Michael Zippi, Guy Okazaki
Top up and coming shapers you’d like to mention?
Jaime Perez (JP Surfboards) has been a local Venice shaper for a long time; recently we’ve been seeing more of his boards in the water and hearing great reviews about them.
What are the plans for this coming summer and spring for the shop?
This summer we plan to do more events than ever, such as movie nights, local demo days down at the beach where you can try a board before you buy, and maybe some art shows. We will be working on spreading our name and keeping people stoked on the love for surfing.
Local ding repair suggestions?
We really like to refer people over to aquatech in Marina Del Rey. Sean & Adam are great and will make sure you’re happy.
Thanks so much you guys we love you shop, it has a great vibe and we’ll stop in again soon.
For more about this shop and some of the shapers mentioned check out:
www.ridershack.com 1-877-577-4225
www.myspace.com/ridershack
www.rainbowsurfboards.com
www.zipifish.com
