Traveled with my 23 year old son to Islamorada specifically to learn kite surfing. Choosing Otherside Boardsports and Mike as our instructor turned our trip into one of the best i've experienced! Mike got my son and I kite surfing in 1, 3 hour lesson. Though, we've wakeboarded and snowboarded, kite surfing is a totally different game and you need an expert like Mike. My son and I intend to kite surf in Texas, and Mike will be our kite surfing coach for life! read more

Really cool watersports store. Major names here like O'Neil and Liquid Force. Wakeboard rentals at this location. Store was packed tight with all water activity clothing, boards and safety devices. read more

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Awesome customer service. She gave us some excellent advice regarding our Bote board that the actual Bote company didn't share with us. Also, she had really helpful info about paddling around the middle keys. If you're thinking about getting a Bote paddleboard, get it here. read more

Cool small little store with nice quality clothes and sports gears for kids and adults. We bought plenty of stuff here, including dresses and hats. The sells person was nice and helpful. They're also next door to an awesome Italian restaurant which makes it convenient for a quick stop. read more

Awesome instruction, lessons are great value. Their teaching equipment is high quality and in great condition. Great customer service. They have an extensive selection of kiting/skate/SUP equipment. Very friendly staff. read more

Otherside Boardsports - Lessons - Sporting Goods Near Me - Islamorada, Florida

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I came in looking for a bathing suit and they had some cute options but VERY expensive. The top was $78.00 and the bottom was $68.00, in total I paid $156. For the locals out there they don't offer any discounts for you. I wish it was more affordable:/. read more

What a fabulous place! Locally owned by one family that runs the place. Great selection. Incredible knowledge. This place is a reminder of why shopping locally and 'in person' is so worth the time and additional few dollars. YEAH to an awesome small business!!! read more

We stopped here just to check it out on paddle board. That guy was great he knew he have us hooked. We wanted paddle board and we pick good one. He let us go demo one to their rentals close by so we know what we want. We ended buying one from them and they let us borrow till next day life vest and paddle because our paddle was in custom cuts. Thank for good customer service ! Love their shop and brand. read more

Placed an online order on 1/22 for 2 hats to be shipped for a birthday present on 2/7. Upon check out I put my shipping address to Honolulu, and paid for 3 day priority shipping which was $19. Upon shipment of my order on 1/24 I was notified that my order wouldn't arrive until 2/9. I reached out to other side, and they informed me that my order was never sent via priority mail. I've sent multiple packages from hawaii to New Hampshire via 3 day priority and it always arrives on time. Although other side offered to refund my shipping costs, it's now 2/13 and my order still hasn't arrived. Would've just ordered elsewhere had I known that other side wasn't going to ship my package via priority mail liked I paid for. I ended up buying hats elsewhere, and now I'm just going to try to sell these ones because it's not even worth the hassle of retuning. read more

Allie (y)? My new friend in the Florida Keyes. SUP was beyond tranquil. Love trying the different boards. Make sure you ask for Alley! The gurl knows her geography. read more

Otherside Boardsports - Perfect day Last week we had 4 inches of snow! WIN WIN the way I see it - Sporting Goods Near Me - Islamorada, Florida

Great place, staff are friendly and knowledgeable about the area, prices are fair maybe a little high but it is the keys so it's hard to stock and supply anything on those islands, if you want a nice paddle board this is the place read more

I went down to Islamorada to get married. During our week there, my fiance and I really wanted to get some kiteboarding lessons. We had set up some a time with Mike, and it was ridiculously awesome. Now, I'm not saying I learned to kiteboard in one day. However, Mike was truly a good instructor, and we learned a ton during our time with him. You can tell he is super passionate about his job, and that carries over in his instruction. I think he wanted me to skimming across the water just as much or more than I did!!! So, if you are looking for kiteboarding lessons, or just want to visit a cool beach store with super friendly people, I highly recommend that you go and visit Mike and Shana at Otherside. I know the next time I'm in Islamorada I'm going to try and go get some more lessons. :) read more

These guys go out of their way to help you, Great attitudes and good service. Rent the Live watersports paddle board and strap on a cheap cooler- best way to pick up lobsters! read more

Great place to get gear. I went to look for kiteboarding equipment. Great selection too. Simply put they are the real deal. If you are in the area look this place up. read more

Mike, Ed, Knoll and Shana rock it - there is a lot of inconsistency and a lot of laissez faire instructors in this extreme sport but these folks stand out as the exact opposite!! They are passionate, patient, supportive and generous with their time, instruction and commitment to getting you riding. They also made every effort to work with my schedule and to help me feel comfortable. I can't say enough good things about them. Hat's off folks... and see you very soon for more kiting fun! read more

I headed to the Florida Keys for a little r&r and the express purpose of learning to Kiteboard. Before leaving NY I discovered Otherside Boardsports on the Web and spoke with Shana about the scope of their services. While driving to Marathon we stopped in their Islamorada shop where I purchased a neopryne top and confirmed my interest in lessons. Monday I visited their Cable park and for the first time road a kiteboard. I felt pretty good that I got right up, having never participated in any boarding sports before. We went out into the Atlantic on Tuesday from Hawks Cay for a 3 hour lesson. My instructor "g" was very good. We reviewed the basics and launched a 12m kite, but the wind died and we canned the lesson after 2 hours. Thursday the winds were kicking at 20 knots. Out we went again. A short boat ride to an offshore reef, launched an 8m kite and began 4 hours of lessons. I was under no illusion that learning kiteboarding would be easy. By the end of my lesson I was able to stand briefly on the board but I ran out of steam, being in my mid 50's I found learning this sport to be a real work out. I picked up a lot of skills and plan to continue where I left off when the winter ends on Long Island. I would recommend Otherside board sports to anyone from out of town looking to learn this sport. Like most things worthwhile in life, kiteboarding doesn't come easy, but they will keep you safe and on your way. read more

So honestly this is the most amazing experience I have ever had with a store/instructor ever. EVERRRRRRR! Seriously Mike and Shana at Otherside Boardsports have been so ridiculously helpful its left me speechless. First I showed up thinking I knew what was up and didn't need lessons cause I'm obviously good at everything..... But Holly, an employee, nudged me in the right direction and told me they'd sell me gear, but didn't want me hurting anyone or myself so to please take a lesson. Then I had an awesome time with Mike out there learning to fly my kite and how to be safe. (Also coolest part, you get a student discount, I think its 15%, but don't quote me. After taking a lesson there, basically if you buy all your gear from them the lesson gets covered by the discount!) Soon after I bought all my stuff from them (board, harness, bar, kite, bindings, booties, wet suit). I was so excited and wanted to just go practice that I didn't try on any of my stuff in their store like a GENIUS. Soon after I decided I didn't really like the way the bindings fit and the kite wasn't what I wanted, (I bought used, but didn't fly it). They let me return ALL the stuff I was dissatisfied with, no questions asked. It was so shocking. Shana hooked me up with new bindings and fixed all of it. Will definitely recommend them to anyone heading down to the Keys in Florida. I'm definitely hooked and will be buying all future purchases from them. P.S. - They have another location in Grassy Key about 30 minutes south. It doesn't show up on Google Maps because it's so new. read more

I was down in the keys with no equipment, a lot of family, and was trying to squeeze in a kiteboarding session. Mike worked hard to find a time and an instructor to do a "supervised" session. It worked out great. They were willing to go out on my schedule - (out on the water by 8am). Ed was great to kite with, their gear and local knowledge was great as well. I'll be looking them up next time I'm down here. read more

Was looking for new bindings for a board and bought some cool slingshots, super excited set up the new board.. got out on the water and ripped the bindings completely out of the board mid air, could be dangerous. Amazing boots cool people. be careful get the right screws. read more

Went on a guided paddle board tour with Steve - so much fun!!!! He took us through the mangroves where we saw small sharks, sting rays, parrot fish, tarpon, snappers, and iguanas. Great tour - highly recommend it!!!! read more

I am absolutely thrilled with the service provided by Otherside Boardsports!! First I called for information on the local kitesurfing and Shanna was immensely helpful with in depth info on spots, forecast and so forth, very friendly and answering all of my questions. Then I swung by the shop and made the best purchase ever with the help of Shanna and Mike! Mike was so awesome, going above and beyond to help me! Seriously a remarkable experience! read more

Otherside Boardsports - Riding with my new 17m purchased at Otherside Boardsports - Sporting Goods Near Me - Islamorada, Florida

Had an epic session out on the water with Otherside Boardsports. My husband and I decided at the last minute to pack up our kites for quick getaway from cold Boston. Mike and his team took us out on their boat to perfect shallow and windy spot. While we weren't there for lessons, it was comforting to know someone would be there to bail us out if we needed it. When my board did get away from me after a botched jump, Chris came right by and scooped up my board and dropped it 3 feet away from me. Great deal for 2 plus hours of rippin' fun. Will definitely find them again on our next trip south! read more

Corey is the man, going to this store made our stay in the keys even better. They had exactly what I needed for my sup. I'll be by again when I'm in the area. Thanks! read more

We had a great few hours out with Michael on a paddle board tour around the mangroves leaving out of the Lorelei Restaurant basin. We had never paddle boarded before so Michael gave us a quick lesson and made us feel very comfortable. On our tour we saw dolphins, tarpon, a manatee, nurse sharks, yellow fin, parrot fish, and grouper. We even got to take a quick dip in one of the mangrove tunnels. A great experience and appreciate Michael being our guide. read more

We had an awesome first SUP experience with Steve from oTHErside Boardsports! He went out of his way to find a perfect location for us even though it was very windy and most places advised against going on the water. Steve was so friendly and knowledgable and we had a wonderful time! If you are looking to try SUP, I highly recommend oTHErside Boardsports! Seems like it would be an awesome place for families too! We hope to check out the cable park next time!! Thanks Steve!!!! read more