Sandbridge swap meet brings people, boards together at bay

SANDBRIDGE – James Barton of Sandbridge lived in Hawaii for about nine years, and he was so taken with the swap meets there, with their assortment of kites, surfboards and windsurfing gear, that he started one up here this past year.

The 49-year-old businessman, who owns Aloha Services and Sandbridge Beach Buggies, hosted the second annual swap meet on Sunday, May 3, behind Baja Restarant on Sandpiper Road.

It brought a number of locals and visitors to buy, trade and socialize.

Barton said he invited surf shops to participate, and he hopes to reach places outside Sandbridge.

“My goal is to get out to Lago Mar, to Red Mill, to all the families who want to get into the sport for not a lot of money,” Barton said.

Todd Poulos, 52, and his 11-year-old son, Brandon, carried two boards to the swap. Todd Poulos said they attended last year’s swap and looked around.

“This year, he wants to buy something,” Poulos said of his son. “It’s his birthday.”

Moments later, Tyler Tisch, an 18-year-old Yorktown resident weekending at Sandbridge, approached.

“Is this yours?” he asked, meaning the boards.

“Yes,” Poulos said.

“Are you looking to trade it or sell it?”

“Sell it,” Poulos said. “We want to buy two new surfboards.”

“I don’t know,” Tisch said.

“Are you just looking around?”

“Yesh,” Tisch said. “Just looking around.”

Tisch said he had a couple of old boards and was looking to swap.

He kept looking, and the swap meet continued into the evening.