On Hilton Head, surfers of all levels learn to take to the waves
Hilton Head beaches aren’t known for producing the biggest waves, but the area has brought up a number of lauded surfers and provided a safe place for tourists and locals alike to learn the sport.
Byron Sewell learned on Hilton Head beaches from his dad, Hamp “Hurricane” Sewell, a champion surfer from Virginia Beach. He went on to compete in surfing competitions up and down the East Coast and was the state champion a number of times.
Ryan Trenary was around three years old when he stood up on his boogie board after watching a group of surfers on North Forest Beach. A group had formed out of the camp that “Hurricane” Hamp, a state champion surfer, and Sis Sewell ran. Trenary was hooked.
Trenary started competing in and winning Eastern Surfing Association competitions on Tybee Island when he was 11. He kept competing, eventually working his way up through the regional qualifier and the East Coast Surfing Championships. He still competes today, and in September placed fourth in the longboard competition for his age bracket at the Eastern Surfing Association Championships.
JT Roberts, who owns Forest Beach Surf and Cycle, was also born and raised on North Forest Beach. He started surfing around age five, began competing a few years later and by 12 was qualifying for the East Coast Surfing Championships. He went on to surf at the collegiate level at the University of North Florida before competing in the world long board championships in Costa Rica, where he placed third.
After a brief break when his kids were young, Roberts is back competing alongside Trenary, who works at Forest Beach Surf and Cycle as an instructor.
Roberts and his wife have taught their kids to surf on Hilton Head’s beaches, where they often join Trenary and other friends out on the waves.
Both he and Roberts both surf across the East Coast. While Hilton Head doesn’t always have the biggest waves, it’s proven to be a good home base. Trenary had lived in San Diego for a few years but found that his quality of life was better on Hilton Head.
While some people prefer the bar scene to socialize with friends, Trenary said that the surfing community on Hilton Head provides a similar social outlet, just without the alcohol.
“People sit out in the water and chat, and then they’ll ride a wave and then paddle over to someone else,” Trenary said. “It is a really big community. A lot of people find out that once they meet surfing, they have a lot in common with people they didn’t really think they would.”
What started decades ago as a group of about 50 people brought together largely by the Sewell family has grown, especially since the coronavirus.
“Covid kind of blew the top off of everything,” Trenary said.
The isolation and boredom of lockdown drew many people to the sport, and many that started during the pandemic continue to this day, Roberts said.
What doesn’t draw thrill seeking surfers to Hilton Head is precisely what makes it a great place to learn, Roberts said. The waves are generally minimal, especially in the summer when tourists want to learn.
Sewell said that the waves used to be bigger when he started surfing, and now the big surf culture of the 80s and 90s has fallen away.
“Now it’s pretty mellow, but still a nice little crew of surfers, probably the happiest surfers I’ve ever met anywhere in the world, because we really appreciate any waves we get,” Sewell said.
Trenary said many of the surfers on the island are very friendly and willing to help out newcomers. Additionally, there are multiple surf schools on the island, including one at Forest Beach Surf and Cycle as well as Native Son Adventures, which Sewell owns.
The easy-going waves of Hilton Head don’t mean the seasoned surfers don’t have their fun. The summer is typically the calmest on the water and the busiest with the tourists, but they can travel through the winters to places like Jacksonville, FL, and Puerto Rico in search of the next big wave. Hilton Head will always be there when they get back.
“It’s been a blessing to be a part of Hilton Head Island,” Sewell said. “Even though the waves are small, the energy and positivity in the ocean are huge.”
This story was originally published October 21, 2025 at 5:40 AM.
