Get to Know a Local: Lynn Shell of Outer Banks Boarding Co.

Behind every Outer Banks business are people doing their best to make a living while still finding time to enjoy this beautiful place they call home. In this edition of Get to Know a Local, you’ll meet one of them: die-hard surfer Lynn Shell, owner of Outer Banks Boarding Co. in Nags Head.

Outer Banks Boarding Co. (OBBC) is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2022. The surf shop was born in 2002 in the former location of Bert’s Surf Shop on the corner of Morning View Place and the Bypass. Lynn and his wife, Nancy, are the sole owners today, but they have had partners in the past. The Shells enjoy working with their family at OBBC. Early on in the business their daughter-in-law Whitney Hines (who with their son, Jesse, now owns Surfin’ Spoon), worked in the store. Two of their grandchildren, Seth and Emily Beacham, also work in the shop as time allows.

Their employees are also like family. “We have been very fortunate to have extremely strong team members along our journey,” Lynn says. Schuylar Henderson has been with them for 18 years, responsible for the soft goods. “She will be moving on at the end of June but will always be a part of the OBBC family,” Lynn adds.

General manager and resident SK8 Dude Allen Briley has been with OBBC for 13 years. Lynn says that Evan Foster and Cayla Norman are his Customer Service “Dynamic Duo” as you will find both ready and willing to help you out with whatever needs you may have at OBBC.

Lynn is a veteran of the surf industry and has been shaping surfboards for more than 40 years. At Outer Banks Boarding Co. he offers a huge selection of some of the finest boards in the industry, including surfboards, skateboards, skimboards and bodyboards, plus all the accessories and apparel to support the Outer Banks boarding lifestyle.

Read on to get to know more longtime local Lynn Shell, pictured above with his wife, Nancy.

Q&A with Lynn Shell

How long have you lived on the Outer Banks and how did you end up here?

I was born a resident of Currituck County’s Knotts Island. We lived on the water looking at the backside of the northern Outer Banks. The reason I bring this up is that as a small child in the summers I have vivid memories of my father taking us in the family skiff to what is known as Wash Woods, which was one of the Lifesaving Stations which is in the Carova 4WD area. We would go to the beach and even venture down to Penny’s Hill, which is now almost unrecognizable. (It used to be almost as large as Jockey’s Ridge.) We eventually moved much closer to the Sandbridge Beach area, and this is where I would spend my summers every day at the beach from about age seven. Before closing the vehicular beach access from Sandbridge through what is now Back Bay Wildlife Refuge, we would ride down to Penny’s Hill and camp. So my connection with the Other Banks has been a lifelong love.

What did you do before you were in this business?

I have surfed since I was 10 years old. If my math is correct that is 57 years this upcoming summer. My career working within the surf industry started in 1978 in Buxton at the Natural Art Surf Shop. Scott Busbey not only mentored my board-building skills, but also we started the now well-known In The Eye Surfboards. Then eight years later, with the experience of learning retail as well as every aspect of board building and with slight apprehension, I moved into an independent sales position within our industry as well as shaping whenever I was not on the road. It was during these years that thousands of my boards were getting shaped under Shell Shapes for such labels as Wave Riding Vehicles, Seasoned, Town and Country, Hawaiian Island Creations and eventually Superbrand. This continued until 2002 when Outer Banks Boarding Company, Inc. was formed.

What motivates you to work hard in your line of work?

Passion, period!

What’s your favorite OBX town or village?

Buxton. That is where it all started for me, and it will always hold a special place in my heart.

What is your favorite thing about living on the Outer Banks?

We still have wide-open beaches! Please let’s try and keep it that way!

What is your favorite season on the Outer Banks?

Fall. Still warm weather, warm water and GOOD WAVES!

What do you do for fun?

SURF. Oh, and did I mention SURF?

What’s your favorite beach access?

That choice moves with the sandbar. I am always searching for the next good surf break as the sand moves north to south on our beaches. But I have a soft spot for the Helga Street area as Bob and Pat Holland’s house and gazebo is located just south of the access. Just mention Bob Holland’s name to any surfer worth his metal and you will hear “BEYOND LEGEND.”

Describe your perfect day off.

Sunny, warm, emerald-green water with a chest- to head-high peaky swell and light offshore winds. Rendezvousing with a few family or friends and getting our SHRED ON!

Do you see more sunrises or sunsets?

Sunsets only because we are so blessed to live on the sound!

What’s one thing you wish more Outer Banks visitors knew?

The Outer Banks is a beautiful place in the summer season. But make no mistake that one complete year-round stay through winter will determine if this is the place for you or not.

Where do you go on vacation?

Up until COVID we traveled pretty extensively out of the country for many years. A lot of Central America has been a repeat destination.

For a celebratory dinner, would you rather order take-out, go out to eat or cook something at home?

My wife loves to go out for date night, birthdays and special occasions.

What is your favorite local seafood?

We like to grill or blacken yellowfin tuna. Also, baked Big Ocean Rockfish prepared like a roast with onion, potatoes and carrots.  

What’s your favorite thing about your job?

Helping people and building the customer relationships that transcend just the business aspect.

What’s the most challenging part of your job?

Earning the customers’ trust to sell them what they may really need over what they think they want.

How did the pandemic affect your business?

Going into the shutdown March 2020 no one knew what to expect. Six weeks later we reopened on May 8, WOW! Business was on a tear and never slowed down through the end of 2020. That year getting more product was not an issue. Fast forward to 2021, and the supply chain issues have of course been at the forefront of all our woes.

Do you have any side hustles?

Yes, I do shape custom and stock surfboards under the Shell Shapes label, which are available exclusively at OBBC. Also, Scott Busbey of Natural Art and I have a surfboard blank business, Blank Spot, LLC. We sell the core component of all sizes of Polyurethane and EPS surfboard blanks.

Do you have any pet projects or is there a local nonprofit that you’re passionate about?

Since 2010 up until COVID, Surfing for Autism has had its annual event in August at Jennette’s Pier. It is a one-day event where the Outer Banks surfing community using its ocean safety expertise comes to work with the children in the water. My position has been to coordinate the surfers to special needs children and watch the magic happen.

Second is the annual Throwdown Surf Contest held in the fall every year since 2009. I have served on the board of directors for several years. For one day a year in the town of Southern Shores, the Outer Banks Community gathers together after the high tourist season and enjoys a day for all of us. The day is all about the kids, but the events focus on fundraising for the Outer Banks Relief Foundation or an individual who is going through a difficult medical journey.  From 2021 the Throwdown Event presented a check to the Outer Banks Relief Foundation for more than $52K to help families and individuals. 

What’s one item on your bucket list?

To travel within this country and experience so much that it has to offer as well as have a more relaxed schedule while doing it.

Outer Banks Boarding Company is at 103 E. Morning View Place in Nags Head.