Our Story

In a Nutshell

By: Steve Fisher

Back in 2010, Steve had a problem. As a veteran high school teacher, he didn’t make enough money to get by from month to month. After trying out other part time hustles, he finally found something he was very much suited for. Standup Paddleboarding (SUP) had recently been invented in Hawaii and was taking the world by storm, a storm that mostly bypassed South Carolina. Not many people in central South Carolina had ever hear of it!

Steve had been surfing in California for decades before moving from there to South Carolina in 2004. He knew all about surfboards and surfing. Before he left California, he got into prone paddleboarding and brought his 19’ carbon fiber board with him across country. The combined surfing and paddling knowledge, along with a strong entrepreneurial drive led to California Republic, in 2010.

Initially, it was a storefront in Irmo that sold skateboards and paddleboards. Our byline was “Lake Murray’s Boardshop.” The shop never turned a profit, but the paddleboard rentals at the dam and the summer camps caught on like wild fire! After three years of barely hanging on, the shop closed and the business turned to sales, rentals, and summer camps.

For awhile, we rented boards at Dreher Island State Park. But, when we got an opportunity to rent a location at SouthShore Marina, in Leesville we jumped on it! Since 2015, the business has been located at SouthShore. Each summer, we improve the beach area to the point that it is a beautiful and comfortable location to spend some time before and after paddling. There are covered tables and a groomed lawn with sandy beach.

Come Paddleboard with us!