#chrisgentile

68 North 3rd Street, Brooklyn NY

Pilgrim Surf + Supply - Wave-wear within city limits.

I never really pegged NYC as surfer-friendly, but after moving here 4 years ago and discovering The Rockaways, Fort Tilden, Jacob Riis and other beaches within an hour of city limits, I realized I was clearly misinformed. 

1. Tools, not toys. The boards, man. They speak for themselves. Handcrafted quality that shines. Brands like Tim Stamps, Mandala, and Fineline.

2. Set amongst the rapidly developing Northside of Williamsburg, Pilgrim Surf + Supply is a wooden haven of brightness, plant-life and beautiful hues. From blankets to boards, wet-suits to books adorning the shelves + walls, you immediately get the sense that nature isn’t too far from the city-limits. Founded by lifelong surfer and visual artist Chris Gentile, who has said that “Maybe what makes us different is that we're responding to where we are and who our customers are. I think thats goes for most retail really. At least it does for the stores I'm most inspired by.” Pilgrim just opened a new store in Tokyo, and their first location in Amagansett is still representin’ closer to shore. 

3. The ethos of the Pilgrim brand is pretty simple: the focus is creative culture as a whole, surfing is just one piece of the puzzle. Featured music playlists on their website like “Little Summer Mustache” and “Sweater Music” are thoughtful, etherial and fuzzy. These mixes feel personal, like a mixtape from high-school days gone by, each track chosen with you in mind (and of course, the boogie). 

4. The talented writer, Jamie Brisick joins forces with Pilgrim Radio with his “Wrestling Elephants” stories. “Wrestling Elephants is a blog, a podcast, and a forum for the exchange of ideas.” Each tale is beautifully raw and honest. Check out some recent chats with Kassia Meador and Steve Pezman.

5. Pilgrim Film. The brand is even diving into film production with their latest installment featuring Manuel “Manny” Caro of Mandala Custom Shapes surfboards. These visual stories connect the makers + shapers to the broader community. Connecting the dots...