by Janie Henderson
If a scruffy, friendly dog named Ace greets you as you walk into a room full of colorful paddle boards, top-of-the-line electric bikes, and a hang out spot perfect for a cold beer and jam session, you’re probably in South Walton (and you definitely picked the right store to shop at). Steve Ortner, along with his wife Katrina and son Johnathan, moved to the South Walton area six years ago from Suwanee, Georgia, after deciding they were ready for a change of pace. The move proved to be a positive one, as Johnathan became the Walton County record holding touchdown quarterback for South Walton High School and the family officially opened GulfWind Paddle & Surf. The family business is now gearing up for their fourth summer in South Walton, while Johnathan is busy studying and competing as one of the quarterbacks for the Trojans at Troy University. GulfWind Paddle & Surf has a unique style that combines an old-Florida, laid-back feel with top of the line service and equipment. The store is best known for their high-end brands of BOTE and SUP/2U paddle boards, YETI coolers and Oakley gear servicing both the Walton and Bay County areas. The newest addition to the already impressive inventory is the full line of ProdecoTech electric bicycles or E-Bikes. ProdecoTech is the one of the largest electric bike companies in the nation, and for good reason. Steve calls them the “sports car of electric bicycles.” The materials used to build the bikes, as well as the technology used to power them, provides top performance in speed, battery life and distance. Steve has an interesting way about him, with his extensive knowledge of his products and his ability to maintain a low-key surf shop at the same time. He is a tried-and-true South Walton resident, with his beer keg and guitar collection right in the middle of the store. But he is a true professional who sees the importance of staying current with the changing technology and the important role it will play in our community
Your Walton County Home for Boards, Bikes & Everything Paddle!
As Walton County begins putting a greater emphasis on finding new solutions for 30A’s traffic issues, residents and visitors will start to rely more on alternative transportation methods, such as electric vehicles, carts and bicycles. With speeds of roughly 20 MPH (28 MPH on a few of their off-road models) and a battery life that can last up to 35 miles per charge, riders can quickly get to all of their favorite spots on 30A, without sitting in traffic or fighting for a parking spot. People of all ages and fitness levels can use this bike, with features such as high-mounted handlebars, multiple gears, stepthrough frames, gel cushion seats and the “power on demand” throttle. ProdecoTech bikes are made and fully assembled right here in the United States, making their brand one of the most affordable, reliable and desirable E-Bike on the market today. And if on the rare occasion you need to have your bike repaired, GulfWind Paddle & Surf will be offering full repair and maintenance service on your ProdecoTech bike at the store in the near future. Steve and his family are heavily involved in South Walton, especially with the paddle boarding community. If they are not in the store, you can find them out on one of the coastal dune lakes (their furry friends even tag along sometimes). GulfWind Paddle & Surf is one of those local businesses that you will find yourself returning to time and again, if not for the products they sell, then for the sense of community that they provide to the customers. GulfWind Paddle & Surf is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Friday and Saturday from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM. They are closed on Monday (Paddle Day). They are located at 4552 US HWY 98 W, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 in the Retail Therapy Shopping Center next to Louis Louis Restaurant. For more infor mation, call (850) 502-4357 or visit http://gulfwindpaddleandsurf.com/. Also, please check out and like them on their GulfWind Paddle & Surf Facebook page. Special thanks to Fletcher Isacks of Isacks Imagery for the photography work, and Alie Stokes and Johnathan Ortner for modeling. “Janie Henderson is a freelance writer and South Walton enthusiast. Janie relocated from Atlanta last July and is currently serving as the Vice President of the Gamma Phi Beta Emerald Coast Alumnae Chapter, as well as the Operations Manager of the Seaside Institute. Both of these positions keep her pretty busy, but if the weather is nice you will find her at Blue Mountain Beach with her husband and golden retriever.”
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