Surf Topsail Art Video & Photography

    This site is simply a site of good will, showcasing the local surfers with photos and videos. To me, it's all about good vibes and sharing the stoke. 

    A little about me:

    I was riding waves in my Mom's belly, even before I was born. My parents loved the Ocean and spent all Summer here. They used to just roll in the waves like a Stand Up Paddle Boarder. :) I never understood as a kid how Dad could roll, on his back, through a wave and not suck in a bunch of water. I never learned to swim until I was 15 years old and then it was in a pool.

    My parents never let me get into the Ocean. Mostly because I was one of those kids that just runs away if not tied to a leash.

    I spent alot of years growing up at the beach. We visited many beaches from Virginia Beach all the way to Carolina Beach. Spent alot of Summers on the Outer Banks.

    Eventually, as I got older, Dad bought a boat and a house at the beach. Being very blessed, I got to deep sea fish and practically live on our boat that sat in a marina, in the water. I could go stay on the boat, sleep with water splashing against the sides and life was pure Heaven. I always stayed on the boat. I never once slept in the house. Winter was the most quiet time and Summer was time to fish and swim.

    I never cared much for getting into the Ocean because I fished, and I knew what was out there. After Dad died, just way too young, I moved to Wilmington and started Bodyboarding.

    I straight up never planned to get into the Ocean in anything other than a Kayak or a boat, but I met a girl and I wanted to be with her, so I starting Bodyboarding.

    I've traveled to Costa Rica a few times to Surf, mostly stayed around Tamarindo in Northern Costa Rica. We traveled to lots of breaks in the area: Grande, Ollie's Point, Witches Rock, Playa Negra, Little Hawaii, Playa Aviones and really so many Surf Breaks I can't say them all. 

    On one trip the waves were flat, so we spent more time checking out the local scene in Tamarindo and drove all over and saw a active volcano, amazing tropical birds, sea life and some crazy, gnarly looking trees.  Local life there is very primitive and roads are terrible, but the people are the kindest and hardest working people I've ever met. I imagine Hawaii is very similar to Costa Rica. But I've never been there.

    Today, I have to say I've had a blessed life, been given many opportunities and gifts that money will never give you. I have some awesome memories and knowing I've been loved by my parents are the greatest things I have right now. And of course having a few trusted friends and living on an island is a huge blessing.

    Waves and Good Friends are the things in life that lift me up into Heaven... Most everything else I carry doesn't mean much compared to Friends and Waves. And days I don't have my friends with me, I carry them in spirit.

    Most of what I know about Bodyboarding and catching waves I've learned from watching other surfers. Catching a wave and the surfing technique is not very different; My Board is a pro Board and not one of those flimsy things you buy in a novelty gift shop.

    I've tried alot of different types of Surf boards but I keep going back to the Bodyboard. I'll probably pick up a Surf board again one day but for now I'm content being a Speedbump.

    So if you want, you can call me Speedbump. Or call me Tommy.

    This site is a small way that I can give back to the local surfers who have helped me learn and shared their waves with me and hopefully help the community as well. Thank You!

    If you have questions or comments, please use the form to the right or contact me directly at Tom@Surftopsail.com

    Eventually, there will be more photos of our beautiful island. Check back to see which shops are carrying my photos for sale

What people are saying about www.surftopsail.com

 "Tommy OH! Only U haz FOUND ah! Wave of GOLD -We live @ the Beach - We Share yr LOVE of the Liquid Goddess Total Embrace & FREE Rides Ya!Mon"

 "What a great local resource."

"I really enjoy watching your videos. Keep them coming. "

"Thank you for taking your time to photograph us surfing!