Island Life Blog

Here is the story. Back in the day…1973 my older cousins Kent and Colin Hungerpiller decided to “take the plunge” and Shore Enterprises was born. Having worked in Myrtle Beach as lifeguards, they figured there was a need and it was time to start the first Beach Service on Hilton Head Island. Kent and Colin met with the owners and managers of the Hilton Head Inn (now Marriott Grande Ocean) and the Adventure Inn (now vacant land) and agreed to provide lifeguard, trash, and emergency personnel in front of the resorts on the beach. In return for services rendered, they were allowed to rent umbrellas, floats, and sailboats to the guests and store the equipment on the resorts’ property at night.

“Competition made America great!” After one year of operation, Dick Ryan moved down from Myrtle Beach and opened up his stand and services just north on the beach at the Holiday Inn.  Things went well for all, until the third year when Dick made an offer to my cousins that they couldn’t refuse and became sole owner in 1975.

The following year, 1976, I graduated High School and came to Hilton Head Island for the summer with my younger cousin, David. Upon arriving, David gave me the Grand Tour of the island and beaches…I was in awe. Having grown up going to Myrtle Beach with all the neon lights, billboards, and traffic, I could not believe ...read more