With over 50 years of being a surf shop on the corner of Virginia Avenue and over 40 years as the Fenwick Island Surf Shop, the store has become a staple for visitors and locals alike. Originally the surf shop opened up as Clearlight Surf Shop in 1969 by Bill Helmuth. Local surfer, Ken Roughton took over in 1982 and changed the name to Fenwick Island Surf Shop in 1983. Ken spent a lot of time at Clearlight as a young grom, buying multiple surfboards and skateboards over the years. Between Ken and his buddies, they created Fenwick Island Surf Team (F.I.S.T.). Their surf trophies and photos are still displayed in the shop to this day. 

The store became a home to Ken and in 1990 he started a family. His two daughters, Emma and Hilary, spent their childhood growing up in the shop and roaming the streets of Fenwick. Starting in 2021, Ken's daughter Emma took over the reigns while Ken stays a part of daily operations. Stop in to meet the family and learn more of the shop's history. 

Bill Helmuth outside of Clearlight Surf Shop - 1969

 

Clearlight Surf Shop - 1970's

     

Ken on his first surfboard from Clearlight Surf Shop - early 70's

      Ken Roughton, Jack Powell, and Tim Harper - Early 1970's

Ken Roughton on the dunes of Virginia Ave. - 1990 

 

  Ken behind the surf shop - Early 1990's Winter

Emma - 1990

  

    Ken - 1991   

  .     

Emma and Hilary - 1991

 

   Hilary Roughton - 1992

 

 Ken and Hilary, August 2000 

 

     Emma - August 2000

     Ken - Fall 2002 

 

        Emma - December 2020 

Ken Roughton and Scott Rickards, Original F.I.S.T. Members - 2021

Ken's induction into the Ocean City Surf Club Hall of Fame - Summer 2024

 

Meet the Future F.I.S.T

 Ken's oldest grandson, Little Rob - 2021

Grandson #2 - Rhett Walker - 2022

Grandsons #3 & 4 - Jude & Ford - 2022

Granddaughter #1 - 2024