March 14, 2017

Meet Michael Murphy of Murphs Surfs in North Atlanta

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Murphy.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Michael. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was born in Kennesaw, GA I’ve lived in Atlanta for most of my life. From the very beginning of my memory I’ve always been in the water either the Oceans, rivers or lakes at times wherever I could get my feet wet really. I’ve always lived for the summers that’s where I found myself the happiest and at peace with life. Everything about summer has always held my heart and the sunsets on our earth can be amazing there never the same and never will be. As a kid I use to do everything I could to get to the water to watch the “sun drop” that was just my thing some kids were doing other things and I was just always chasing that endless summer. Growing up I moved a lot and in my life there were a lot of instabilities with my family so it was hard for me to fit in or to know what was going to happen from time to time but I would always find an lake or the ocean and there I found Peace and happiness. When I was 21 my father passed away this man was the foundation to my life and taught me so much. This crushed me the one person I knew that was always there for me was suddenly gone… I was truly lost at the time I had been working as a career Firefighter for a few years. At that time the other part of my family consisted of hundreds of brothers and sisters that I had grown to love and care for during my career as a Firefighter those times they held me up and helped me more than anything. I’ll always be grateful to them. At this point in my life I felt I needed to go. Anywhere the further away the better I felt myself being pulled somewhere. So in 2012 I had finally after a massive amount of effort I got a job working overseas as a Medic. This was a way for me to spread my wings and live. Time passed and the years went so did my travels from one side of the earth to the other I went there did that. But always I found myself at the water to find the peace in my life. like a rock climber that climbs or a skydiver that jumps like a scuba diver that dives or a writer that writes whatever it is you do to be happy those are passions in our life’s and there worth following and chasing. In 2014 sitting on an old busted up paddle board in the gulf of Siam off the coast of Thailand thinking about my father and seeing how life can be so short during that sunset on that old busted up board in the middle of nowhere I found myself all over again and there on the other side of the earth the Idea of Murphs Surfs came to me. Everyone has a story I believe everyone has a purpose and a meaning to this life. This is a small look into my story here at Murphs Surfs we simply provide kayak and Paddle board Events small and large and more. Were just getting started around here and where going to grow every season, We have a lot of work ahead of us but all the work has been worth it many times over. So check us out next time you want to get on the water around our lakes and oceans. This summer a percentage of the proceeds when someone buys a Murphs Surfs shirt will go towards our coastal and intercostal preservation projects. We find and research honest companies and throw a small helping hand into our waterways coastal and inland waters so our kids can enjoy this earth like we have.

“Time and tide waits for no one”

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It’s been a struggle since day one for us really when we looked at getting the amount of inventory we have now and the legal paperwork to even operate near the lakes in Georgia. At times you feel like giving up and honestly it will almost bring you to tears sometimes because the season is only so long here for us and the challenges that we have faced and will continue to face can stack up. One of our major goals is to provide people in the Atlanta area a way to the water at an actual affordable Price. We have always told our customers if you take care of our equipment well take care of you and our prices have shown that. It hasn’t always been smooth sailing for us at Murphs Surfs were a small fish in an ocean of companies but were here to stay and this is just the start. I believe when it comes to something you passionate about you pour your heart and soul into it. Where a small company with a massive heart. We have a lot we want to do for our intercostal community. Last year all we had was 5 paddle boards and 2 kayaks a vision and a goal this year we offer over 20 custom paddle boards in different sizes, 12 single and double person kayaks, 25Ft pontoon boat for events for small or large groups and more. One day we plan on building custom boards for customers we have been working on being a foundation in the paddle community in Georgia with local and national events. We still have a long ways to go at the same time you know sometimes the journey is worth more than the destination.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Murphs Surfs story. Tell us more about the business.
At Murphs Surfs we specialize in renting Paddle boards and Kayaks we offer delivery and pick up waterside also provide PFD’s for all rentals and offer Coolers with ice on drop off. Group events small or large we can provide boards or kayaks and have the option to charter our 25ft pontoon boat with a Captain. We have worked with local cross fit gyms to provide a WOD on the beach. We have an Out-Of-Sate rental program where you can rent boards or kayaks from us this saves you money and gives your freedom. We hold an awesome end of the season sale on our used paddle boards and kayaks we sold all our inventory last year in less than 48 hours. If you buy from us or have a board we provide minor ding repair using epoxy and fiberglass. I’m proud that we gave grown so much so fast we set our self apart from everyone because we work hard to help our local community get out and paddle at an affordable price.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Well my last name is Murphy and I think we all know the saying about Murphy’s Law. Honestly I’ve been pretty lucky in the fact that I have gotten to this point in my life and business If you would of told me 5 years ago I would be living by Allatoona lake and starting a paddle board and kayak business working to reach the coastal and intercostal community on a local and national level I would of laughed at you cause I grew up here and spent so much time of this lake when I was a kid. Been around the world a few times and here I am doing what I love and working at building something that’s for the good of people that want to enjoy the water plus I’m able to spend my time where I love to by the water. I’m Lucky and very thankful.

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