Collaborations in surf are so hot right now. But for the most part they’re often, well, expected. That is, two brands that have a similar consumer base come out with a handful of t-shirts, backpacks, maybe a pair of shoes and call it a day.
A little shop in Brooklyn (with a satellite shop in Eastern Long Island) called Pilgrim is the epitome of the hip New York surf scene. Stocking especially high-price-fetching craft made by the likes of Tyler Warren, Ellis Ericson, the Campbell Brothers, and similar board builders, Pilgrim is deeply rooted in the alternative board scene. That’s not to say Pilgrim’s level of cool is contrived. The curators of the store’s blog are especially knowledgeable about surf history and culture, and do an incredible job of highlighting New York’s surfing pioneers. The shop feels intentionally disconnected from mainstream surfing.
That’s why a collaboration with Mayhem Matt Biolos himself appears to come out of left field, if only slightly. The man behind …Lost Enterprises is especially known for supporting high performance surfing at the highest level. Legend has it that every WSL surfer who’s not under contract typically gets a …Lost board each year for Lowers. But Matt’s story is deeply embedded in that of surf history, getting his start under Herbie Fletcher and parlaying that into his own brand. …Lost exudes a punk rock/counterculture ethos. And for that reason, perhaps this little collaboration makes more sense.
Also check out Pilgrim owner and founder Chris Gentile’s interview with Matt Biolos featured on the Pilgrim blog, here.
