In the spirit of surfing

By Jewel Bond

A year out of college, Brad Beacham left his job in commercial banking and came home to the Outer Banks to jump start a new business with his younger brother Matt.

Only a year apart in age, the brothers had shared more than toys, ball games and camping together while growing up here. They shared a love of Jesus Christ, family unity _ and surfing.

"Matt and I had been surfing since we were about six or seven," Beacham, 23, said. "Even before I left for college, we had already been playing around with the idea of a surf school. Matt was already a professional surfer at that time."

With a desire to combine what is important in their lives _ surfing with a focus on family and their faith _ this summer the young entrepreneurs opened their surf school, Foundnation. Foundnation is comprised of a group of professional surfing instructors dedicated to teach surfing and `good works.'

"We have some of the top professional surfers on the East Coast as instructors," Beacham said, "my brother, Matt, who just graduated from UNC Wilmington with a degree in marketing, Noah Snyder and Jesse Hines. They don't come much better than these guys."

A skilled surfer himself, Beacham says he never wanted to go professional. He's content to be here on the Outer Banks, teaching surfing, holding Bible study groups at his home and tending the new venture.

"I'm using my degree in management now taking care of the office side of the business as well as teaching," Beacham said. "The school has been extremely positive for us. We're in the process now of putting together a surf clothing line and producing our second surfing video."

Bradley Norman Beacham

Birthdate: Aug. 25, 1976

Home: Kill Devil Hills, N.C.

Hometown: Kitty Hawk, N.C.

Marital status: Married to Rachel

Children: None

Pets: One dog, a pug named Reese

Hobbies: Basketball, playing guitar, surfing and youth-related church activities

What brought you to the beach? I was born here. I left after my senior of year of high school to attend UNC Wilmington. I graduated with a degree in business and finance. After college I worked for a commercial bank for a year to get experience. Then I moved back to the Outer Banks.

Perfect day off. Playing basketball and spending time with my family.

Last vacation. California, and that was a long time ago. I would like to go to Peru someday. My brother says it's really nice in Peru. If I could go anywhere, that would be my choice.

Last smart thing you did. Took a CPR and first aid course. That training gave me a lot of confidence that I could help someone if they needed it.

Last dumb thing you did. Rachel and I had just recently moved to our new home, and I was doing yard work and dug up a wire. I had no idea what it was for so I clipped it. Fortunately, it was just for an outside light, which is still out.

Favorite food. Hamburgers _ just because it's summer.

Favorite restaurant. Coastal Cactus.

Favorite song. None right now. I play guitar, so I'm a music lover, and there are lots of tunes I enjoy.

Favorite book. I don't read much. I don't make the time. I read enough in college to get me through for 10 years.

Biggest challenge. Living day-to-day in an exemplary way.

Proudest achievement. I'm not proud of anything really. I'm happy about a lot of things. I'm happy that my parents allowed me to go to college, happy to marry Rachel at the age that I did, happy, thankful and blessed that I have formed so many rewarding relationships based on faith.