NEWPORT, RI - The original business plan for Rhody Surf was created as a college assignment when founder, Bobby Drought, was attending Salve Regina University. As a Rhode Island native and avid surfer, Drought had been teaching surfing lessons throughout college to help pay for his tuition and as a business major saw an opportunity for establishing a surf school where he learned to surf when he was a grom.

While surfing has a deep history in Newport with many local legends, incredible waves, and a rich surf community, there was not an established surf school whose core focus was attentive surf instruction catered for beginners to get introduced to the sport of wave riding.

Throughout its 10+ years in business, Rhody Surf has proven to be agile in its operation, shifting their primary homebase to locations that include Second Beach, Downtown Newport, and now First Beach. Along the way, it’s received many accolades and awards for its unique business model and customer service. It even landed a spot on national television as a feature of HGTV’s House Hunters.

Rhody Surf has organically grown throughout the years and has become synonymous as the place to learn to surf. Its friendly crew is dedicated to spreading the stoke and helping locals and tourists alike learn the basics of surfing. Rhody Surf also has a wide selection of surf and SUP rentals now conveniently on the largest public beach in The City by the Sea, Easton’s Beach (aka First Beach).

Rhody Surf Awards

Newport Chamber of Commerce's Excellence in Business Emerging Leader Award

Newport Life's Magazine Best Summer Camp in Newport County

Yankee Magazine's Best Service in New England

Rhode Island Monthly Magazine's Best Surf Lessons in Rhode Island