SURFBRO’s Mission-Driven Journey
Photographer / Tony Straw
If you’ve strolled down Main Street in Culver lately, you might have felt it — a fresh breeze of board shorts, beach towels and laid-back lake vibes. That’s SURFBRO, the newest shop to make waves in town. With a curated mix of surf-style clothing, family-friendly finds and gear for wake, surf and boating, SURFBRO is more than just a retail space — it’s a lifestyle.
Owners Steve Marsh and Tess Petzke opened the store with big dreams and even bigger hearts. The couple shares a love for the water and a mission inspired by their youngest son, Avery.
“We opened SURFBRO to pursue our goal of starting a foundation,” Petzke explains. “That foundation, named The Cove Foundation after Avery’s middle name, will support families of children facing medical challenges.”
Avery was born with a heart condition that required surgery when he was just seven months old.
“It was terrifying,” Petzke says. “But we were lucky they caught it early. He’s doing great now — and he’s our little water baby.”
SURFBRO opened its doors in the summer of 2025 at 107 S. Main St. with a soft launch and plenty of local buzz. The shop’s vibe is friendly and relaxed, with reggae playing through the speakers and kids welcome to try out the RevBalance boards as well as Strider Bikes while parents browse.
“We wanted SURFBRO to reflect the Culver lifestyle — laid back but high quality,” Petzke adds.
That philosophy shows in the brands they carry. SURFBRO is the only local retailer offering exclusive lines like Toes on the Nose, Faherty, Shore, Alex Crane, Binky Bro, OluKai, Rhythm and more. They also offer a large selection of Oakley and Goodr sunglasses, with fun colors and themes to match any style.
“Goodrs are a best-seller,” Marsh says. “They’re stylish, lightweight and affordable. If people lose a pair, they come right back for another.”
For water sports lovers, SURFBRO is a treasure trove. From Phase 5, Connelly, Liquid Force, O’Brien and WOW Sports, the selection for wake surfers, wakeboards, skis and tubes is curated for performance and quality. They even carry eFoils — electric surfboards that lift riders out of the water for a truly futuristic experience.
And if that sounds intimidating, don’t worry.
“We’re going to start offering lessons,” Marsh adds. “People can try the eFoils and get instruction.”
Wakesurfing lessons may follow.
Everything in the store was selected with intention. Petzke focused on clothing and style, while Marsh leaned into the technical gear.
“We wanted to bring in the best surf-style brands — the kind of stuff you can’t find anywhere else nearby,” Petzke says.
SURFBRO will also offer seasonal rentals, such as e-bikes, and online sales are on the horizon.
“We don’t have an exact launch date yet,” Petzke says. “But it’s in the works.”
Winter won’t slow them down either.
“We’ll carry jackets, hoodies and warm-weather gear,” she adds.
“But no ice fishing supplies,” Marsh says with a grin. “That’s just a whole different vibe.”
The long-term vision includes growing The Cove Foundation and expanding SURFBRO to other locations. Culver, however, will always be home base. Steve, Tess and their children knew Culver needed something like this, and together brought the vision to life.
The response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive. Shoppers are drawn in by the curated inventory, warm customer service and relaxing atmosphere.
“We want people to feel welcome here — whether they’re picking up a new pair of shades or just stopping by to say hi,” Marsh says.
Customers are already raving. One visitor, Russ, says, “This shop is great,” adding, “Cool brands, great vibe, awesome location, excellent service. Every time I stop in, I find something new to check out. Definitely a ‘feel good’ shopping experience and good toys to keep the little and older kids occupied and having fun. I basically go if I need something specific and just to check things out when I’m passing by.”
Another shopper, Layton, praised the product selection and friendly service: “SURFBRO is hands-down my favorite surf shop. The vibe is laid-back, the staff is incredibly friendly, and they really know their stuff. They take the time to help you find exactly what you need — boards, bikes, tubes, clothing, sunglasses, everything you need for a day on the lake.
“We were very happy with our new purchase of a Fliteboard eFoil. They took time to explain how it functions, offered demo rides and ordered exactly what we wanted. You can tell they genuinely care about the lake community and make people feel welcomed. We visit the store every time we are at the lake to see what’s new. SURFBRO is the real deal!”
A frequent visitor, Ray, says, “My family and I love SURFBRO. From footwear to apparel, all the way to fun toys on the water. This place has it all.”
With a shared passion for lake life and a heart-led mission, Steve and Tess have created something special. SURFBRO isn’t just about selling gear — it’s about building connections, starting conversations and celebrating everything Culver has to offer.
“We’re a family business for families who love the lake,” Petzke says. “We hope SURFBRO becomes a place people want to stop in — to shop, talk and hang out.”
SURFBRO is located at 107 S. Main St. in Culver, Indiana. For questions about products, hours or upcoming events, call 574-806-6243 or email surfbro2025@gmail.com. You can also follow @surfbro on social media for the latest updates.
