Local legend | Kyle Busey
April 2012
Age: 25
Occupation: Semi-pro surfer, construction worker
Years surfing: 15
Best advice for beginners: “Be patient. Definitely give it a chance. Don’t get discouraged. Stick with it.”
Whenever there’s a surf competition on Folly Beach, Kyle Busey is usually the man to beat.
In February’s Icebox Open, his mind-bending, contortionist moves helped him win both the overall men’s contest and the Hottest Wave contest. When the spoils were handed out, he walked away holding an oversized $1,000 check—another victory for the surfer many consider to be the best in Charleston.
Like many Folly Beach surfers, Busey also works odd jobs in construction part-time to make ends meet, but unlike most he also competes on the semi-professional East Coast Tour Circuit. This summer he’ll be traveling from Florida to New Jersey in pursuit of even more winnings. He is sponsored by O’Neill Clothing and Arnett Sunglasses, but the South Carolina native says he still prefers the solitary rewards of free surfing at Folly Beach over competitions.
“I like that you’re on your own schedule, that it’s a solo sport,” he says. “It’s just a cool outlet. It’s nice to relieve some stress. It’s meant to be a personal thing.”
Busey also teaches private surf lessons. For details, call (843) 452-4833.