Shorelines Blog :: Virginia Beach

Shore Lines a Virginia Beach Blog

Welcome to Shore Lines, the Virginia Beach blog. We share news and views on living the beach life, including special events, new site features and up-to-the-minute buzz. You’ll get an insider’s look at what’s going on in Virginia Beach, and how to make the most of a visit here. So scroll through and get in on the conversation.

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Austin Saunders
Resident Wave Warrior
Austin Saunders is the President and CEO of FigJam Incorporated, the parent firm of a surfboard glassing company, Austin Surfboards, his clothing company and his surf shop, Austin Custom Surfboards. An entrepreneur at heart, Austin started his first business at 16 where he repaired damaged surfboards then, at age 22, he bought Fiber Craft Products, a surfboard glassing factory. Austin opened FigJam when he decided to concentrate on his own products. He is a Virginia Beach native and grew up surfing during every free moment. When Austin thinks of Virginia Beach, he thinks of fun, sun and surf. He works 7 days a week, 12 hours a day, but to him, it isn’t like work as he loves what he does. When he does get free time, he enjoys his obvious passion – taking a board out in the Atlantic and riding waves. Austin truly “lives the beach life” by practicing a beloved trade in his native town while still being able to enjoy the ocean. To him, living in Virginia Beach affords him these opportunities: a career he loves, a hobby he loves, all in a city he is proud to call home.

Author Entries

Credit for Start of East Coast Surfing Scene Belongs to Virginia Beach

Tuesday, May 10th, 2011 by Austin Saunders

Believe it or not, the first documented case of surfing on the East Coast was recorded right here in Virginia Beach. According to historical records, James Matthias Jordan, Jr. received a 9 ft. Hawaiian Redwood surfboard weighing in at nearly 110 lbs. from his uncle and the rest was, as they say, history. But that’s not the only time the Virginia Beach surf scene has made the history books. The East Coast Surfing Championships held annually in Virginia Beach is the second longest running surf contest in the world behind Australia’s Bells Beach Classic.