Wave Riding Vehicles

Solid local surf and skate shop. It is nice to see hand shaped surfboards instead of sub standard factory boards from China. The staff was a little too cool for school but the managers knew their stuff. I think it is hard to manage a bunch of surfers and skaters. The guys had good local knowledge of the waves and breaks. The skate park across the street is kind of cheap O but you get what you pay for. (FREE). My girlfriend loved the girls section.

Great shop, lots of boards, wetsuits, and clothes. They’ve got everything.

Oh my gosh. This is my happy place and the style I’m into. And the gals here are so sweet and nice! They didn’t bug me a lot cuz they really do have tons of stuff to look at. Brands I’ve never even heard of.
And a misunderstanding on my end, I did end up spending more than $ 50, and I asked if I got to get the free tattoos. The gal said it was only for Billabong items and spend $ 50 and get the free tattoos that are all the rave now. But I said ok I want to try it so I’ll pay for it. But she gave it to me for free. What service!
This visit entailed finding Toms wedged heels that were on sale for 36.99 and they have their sizes available on the bottom of a sticker, so nice to know; no guessing. And they were comfy and well within my range. These will be my graduation ceremony shoes. And first Toms!!!
Be sure to take your time when you do visit because there are so many nooks to look at and their sales are combed in with regular priced stuff!
Lots of surf stuff, tanning lotion, MAUI BABE COME ON!!! This is stuff for the beach goddesses and gods. It’s $ 20.
Stickers, clothes, bathing suits, flip flops, and I didn’t venture into the men’s side, but I think mayhap they had skate boards.
Across the street they have a makeshift skate park in the parking lot so that’s a cool hang out too.

Snow Riding Vehicle?
This year we celebrated our 4 year anniversary @ Wintergreen, where my BF & I had our 1^st date. We decided to invite all our friends & family to stay @ the mountain house for the weekend.
I have not been snowboarding since then and I refuse to buy all the gear (board & boots $$$) WRV is located across from my office so I went ahead of time & tried on boots and a board for size to rent for the weekend. I love that you can and reserve gear ahead of time. Just call them up!
I ended up with a Roxy snowboard with an awesome pixelated graphic. They set up my bindings for my «goofy» stance and were super patient when I wanted my boots to match my outfit. (Insert eye roll) I ended up with a black pair of Nike, Vapen. These retail for over $ 270.00…I was ecstatic when my total for all the gear came to $ 35+ for the weekend. (They let you have 3 days total. One day to pick up, one day to use, and one day to return) Amazing.
I also ended up with a new pair of boys (I’m short!) Volcom snowboarding pants that were under $ 100.00 on sale and a new Roxy beanie. The BF was able to pick up a pair of electric goggles with the winter sale also…
Overall I was more than impressed and plan to use WRV again for my next trip, which I hope to make an annual event!

All surf shops can be considered pricey, there is obviously a big demand for the gear. While I wouldn’t say that the standard prices here are «an amazing deal», WRV seems to try to keep sale events going at all times to keep some less expensive options open. The staff is very friendly and they don’t seem to look down on the beginner surfer; instead, they offer helpful opinions. One time, I even had an employee there recommend to me a sale wetsuit that I had not noticed to offer me a better price range of options. Another time when shopping for my brother, one of the staff guys tried on some gloves for me so I could get an idea of sizing. I really appreciate the attitudes of the staff, which is why this is my go to surf shop when I shop locally.

In the past, I wasn’t as impressed with the service I received at WRV, but this time I went in and had a whole new experience.
Maybe it’s because I was there for snowboarding equipment, but the guy I was talking to was very passionate, very attentive, and knew what he was talking about. He was able to give some sound advice for riding with a GoPro, setting up bindings, and the technical differences in the snowboarding boots that they offered.
They’ve got a ton of apparel there too. They have a Nike SB account and boat loads of clothes to look through. I never spend time just looking through racks to clothes. I usually know what I want, get in and get out, and their service helped me do exactly that.

Awesome store with plenty of shopping to do since it has grown so much!!! Plenty of boards to choose from !!! Gals and guys apparel available. Great customer service to take care if you and assist you in finding what you need.

Bought a couple of boards (one new, one used) from Geoff at WRV yesterday… Awesome experience!!! Geoff and staff were great and patient, answering all my questions, explaining what was best for me and my wife, and even helped us put the rack and boards on car! Geoff truly cares about his customers!!! Thanks WRV!

I recently was there and customer service was on point for me. They all asked me over and over again if I needed help etc. The only reason I gave 4 stars is because of the prices. They had a swim cover up that was so pretty but it was $ 92 and you can find same one online for around $ 10…so yea. The manager was knowledgeable, friendly, customer service oriented. The facility is clean and well stocked. The camp instructors are VERY friendly and VERY good with the clients. I guess they have seen the reviews and are trying to put effort into changing their customer service image. Yet with that said, (it was my first time in the store) but I had been to the other events and never had a problem with the employees being rude etc.

If you didn’t get great service it’s because you’re not cool enough — sorry! Seriously, find the manager (guy with shaved head) he’ll make sure you’re taken care of. I think they’re trying to improve their service and not be too cool.

Even if you’re not surfer or a skater, you’ve surely heard of Wave Riding Vehicles (WRV). One of the biggest surf shops in the area and a trademark building on the Oceanfront, WRV is fashion central for the serious beach set young and old. From sexy swimsuits, to trendy board shorts and actual surfboards WRV has all the essentials to make even a poser look like a genuine surfer.
Striving to be more than just a store, WRV has a small half-​pipe outside and is a hangout for beach kids. Lounging around the building like pets, kids decorate the outside of this building and give a hint of the beach culture spearheaded by this store. Yes, the store is on the expensive side, but it’s as authentic a surf shop as you’ll find on the east coast.

Wave Riding Vehicles has one of the biggest surf shops in Virginia Beach, but you’ll pay for the convenience, for sure.
They have absolutely every kind of everything you could want for your beach or street action. Surfboards (duh), skateboards and clothing galore, you couldn’t even think of something more to ask for.
They make incredible surfboards at all sizes, some specifically designed for the waves (or lack of) at our beaches, but you’ll pay the price. If I had the money to throw away I would shop here, but I just don’t. Hit up the clothing sales and stock up on bikinis at the end of the summer, though. You’ll save a bundle and get some wonderful finds.

WRV is one of the main standbys of the Virginia Beach and Outer Banks surf scene. They’ve supported surfing in the area for decades. Growing up in the area, I consider WRV the best locally-​owned surf shop. Probably because it’s one of the only local shops with a good board selection. You’ll see many locals with their dolphin-​circle logo sticker on their cars. You can’t say the same for 17^th Street.
I’ve never had a bad customer service experience there like the other reviewers have mentioned. The store is usually busy and it’s huge, so I can see how that might be a problem. But I can usually get help to try things on and check out without a problem. The prices are reasonable, but you’re not going to get any steals. I really like the Juniors clothing selection.

Lots of surfboards, gear, clothing, flops… ok prices. Employees are generally rude and full of themselves, with a rare exception. If you’re willing to pay full retail, they’ve got plenty to choose from.

The store is huge and could be a bit overwhelming! I didn’t really experience any of the bad customer service issues that most of the people on this thread experienced and even had someone open up another register while I was waiting in line… and there were only two of us in line! WRV definitely has the better decals and t-​shirt designs than the other surfs stores in Virginia Beach. I scored a really cool Virginia Tech surf tee as well as some long sleeve shirts. WRV has a larger selection than most of the other stores and its pretty easy to find your size since they rack everything up by both size and color. Definitely check it out if you are in town!

OK, service could be improved but I can say that overall I enjoy going here — would you rather be constantly hounded by an obsequious salesperson? I go back to the days of Bob White and his shop next to the Kart Track on 17^th, the store on Norfolk Ave and the one before that next to the toll road (they shaped a twin fin for me back in the early 70s)…so I’m a little biased… clothing here is cool (to the extent that any of it fits me anyway) and my daughter loves the surf chick stuff… good skateboard parts and used board inventory has been pretty good in the past… then, of course, Smith & Holland used to give them a run for the money…

Have to agree with what everyone else is saying… nonexistent customer service. I’ve lived in VB for 13 years and it’s kept going down hill. You can’t get help to save your life. If you manage to get someone’s attention they have a attitude like you’re lucky you’re in there. WRV’s selection isn’t even good. There are so many surf shops in VB now you’d think they’d try and compete for your business. Nope. They couldn’t care less.

Previously known as THE surf shop to go to in VB (Freedom Surf Shop has far surpassed them), they’ve got a crap load amount of gear no doubt, but their customer service is shoddy. They seem to cater towards two demographics-​adolescent bros and tourists. Don’t get me wrong, some of the people there are helpful, but more often than not I’ve left the place feeling inadequately served. To their credit, the WRV brand boards ride well… shapes by Tommy Moore or Jesse Fernandez are great.

Not so great here, they were a good surf shop years ago, but others beat them a zillion times in CUSTOMER SERVICE, of which this store knows NOTHING!!! Rude, uninterested sales clerks, young and old ones alike, would rather have you out the door than to (…argh) HELP you with something!!! This has happened to us 3 or 4 times already, so not an isolated incidence… Rather look up Freedom Surf shop, friendly helpful and knowledgeable about SURFING etc.
EDIT: 1÷5÷2015 So the owner contacted me and assured me that they have changed over there, so next time I’m on that side I’ll stop by and see for myself.