How Dryrobe Keeps Atlantic Park Surf Warm

Step on to the grounds at Atlantic Park Surf, and you’ll see dreamy waves peeling endlessly and barrels spitting, all with a backdrop of beautiful blue water. But that's not all. You'll also easily spot the staff, all wearing Dryrobe changing robes. 

The embroidered robes are more than just a way to spot the staff on hand for any questions or help you need. Because the surf park is open year 'round in Virginia Beach, an environment with rainstorms and cold temperatures, the staff needs the best protection from the elements possible, and they trust Dryrobe with such a monumental task.

We chatted with Alex Smith, the marketing director at Atlantic Park Surf, on why they chose Dryrobe as their trusted changing robe partner, how Dryrobe has had an effect on the larger Virginia Beach surf culture, and the reality that if Dryrobe works for the Atlantic Park Surf staff, then it will work for you and your surf needs. — Mark Sawyer-Chu

American Surf Mag's Mark Sawyer-Chu talking story with Alex Smith, who runs Atlantic Park Surf's Marketing team. Having recently opened its doors, the surf park is the premier wave pool on the East Coast. Photo courtesy American Surf Mag

ASM: Let's start with the obvious: why choose Dryrobe as the official provider of changing robes for the surf operation staff here at the resort? 

Alex Smith: Atlantic Park Surf is located in Virginia Beach, which is on the mid-Atlantic of the East Coast of the US, and we really do experience all seasons. We found that Dryrobe would be the best partner for our staff, especially our surf ops and our outdoor staff such as our lifeguards since they endure all those seasons. We experience hurricanes, nor'easters, and even just colder weather. Whether it's cold or windy and rainy, our staff is able to stay focused and watch over our guests, making sure they're having the best and safest experience while being here.

Dryrobe has allowed our staff to be prepared for those elements, and they're the perfect partner for us here on the East Coast.

How frequently does your team rely on Dryrobes during daily operations? 

Pretty frequently, especially now that we're approaching the later fall, early winter. In the summer, they used Dryrobes to protect from the rain, and now it's about protecting from the cold. It's a daily driver for us here at Atlanta Park Surf. 

How has Dryrobe impacted not just the surf park, but the greater Virginia Beach surf community? 

Dryrobe has provided us with gear for some of our events, and they've brought awareness to the community of what Dryrobe can do for them. Virginia Beach is an existing surf community and culture, so I think providing that community awareness to Dryrobe — and with the weather we endure through all the year and the seasonality of it, especially the cold months — it's providing them with the proper gear to really endure those colder sessions. So they've been a great partner to us, and we look forward to our overall partnership and what else we can accomplish with this space here.

How warm are Dryrobes? Just as Luana, the resident American Surf Mag grom, who called herself the "warmest grom in the world". Photo courtesy American Surf Mag

Do guests and participants ask about the Dryrobes your staff uses? If so, what kind of reactions or questions do you typically hear? 

They do. When they start to realize the blending of the changing robe style to wearing it over a wetsuit or your gear, it really starts to click. Many of them who either have seen ours and gone to purchase their own or try their own out, they really see the value and the benefits of it. They realize like, oh, this is why it's shaped like this ... this is why it's longer for wind or those colder days.

For anyone who tries one on, it's 100% worth it. It's so nice to have once you have that colder weather. And then when you're wearing your gear or you're getting in or out of your wetsuit, I mean, it's next level. So yeah, our guests are stoked on them and we hope to have them here soon at our pro shop as well. 

What role do you see Dryrobe playing as the Atlantic Park Surf venue grows and as the surf culture develops within? 

The more we start implementing our programming and our events and build out our kind of annual strategies for the surf park, I see Dryrobe being an integral partner in activating and bringing further awareness to the surf industry and the surf community that already exists here.

Many surfers here in Virginia Beach don't have that experience of going to surf park, so it's them understanding this break, learning this break and being a part of the kind of community that's building here at the surf park. But then also with our partnerships, bringing brands like Dryrobe onsite and having them activate for events or for programs and to meet the community at that point of need.

So all that to say I definitely see a lot of relationship-building here for Dryrobe and the community as the surf park continues year 'round.

No sun? No problem. Oh, and if you noticed the logo, Dryrobe is also a partner with USA Surfing. The brand is as integrated with core surf and core surf programs as any brand out there — yet another reason to support them and get your own Dryrobe. Photo courtesy American Surf Mag

Can you share a specific story or moment where Dryrobe made a noticeable difference for your team, athlete or event execution? 

Going back to our surf ops, it's something that I think doesn't leave that team now and it's become such daily routine because of the value they provide. I look around the surf park and I look around our staff and I almost can't picture our staff without the Dryrobes on just because it's becoming such a strong element of what we do.

That's valuable for our guests because when they do see the Atlantic Park Surf embroidered changing robe and our staff, they associate that with a surf ops or a lifeguard, someone that can help them out with information. It's easy to spot our staff in the blue robes from head to toe. That allows us to have differentiation from the crowds.

Last question for you, Alex. What is your favorite Dryrobe product? 

It has to be the one we have here on site — the long-sleeve changing robe with the warm inside liner. It's unreal and everything you could need as a surfer.

Just seeing the advancements in technology and surfing and what Dryrobe can provide is huge, especially in the colder months. I can't wait to see how it all comes together right here at Atlantic Park Surf.

Want to fight the cold? Make you have a Dryrobe in your corner!