Isle Of Palms Magazine April 2018

28 www.IsleOfPalmsMagazine.com | www.ILoveIOP.com | www.IOPmag.com “W hat do I like best about my job?” Michael Fiem asked. “Well, that it isn’t a ‘job.’” As one of the owners of Tidal Wave Water Sports on the Isle of Palms, Fiem admitted he’s lucky to report to work on the water every day. He, his twin brother, Mark, and their partner, Mark Malley, have made a career of having fun at the beach. They acquired the business in 2005 when the three of them were unhappy in their “real” jobs. “My brother was getting his MBA at Charleston Southern University and working at the Isle of Palms Marina,” he said. “The timing was just right for us.” Fiem said he has always loved the ocean. He grew up in Pittsburgh, snow skiing in the winter and waterskiing in the summer, but his family visited the Atlantic Ocean every year. “We vacationed in Virginia Beach, and I just remember never wanting the week to end,” he said. While he was in college, he spent his summers working for a water sports company in Ocean City, Maryland. “I loved the business and had a great time working there,” he said, adding that opening Tidal Wave Water Sports was a dream come true and that it’s rewarding to help people mark items off their bucket lists. Fiem said the most popular feature at Tidal Wave Water Sports is the Parasailing and Waverunner Safari Eco- Adventure. As the website says, “This package allows the customer to experience Charleston from the sea and sky – literally.” Fiem explained that the adventure takes people to the back waters of the upper barrier islands and out to Capers Island for shell collecting and to learn about the ecology of the area before heading back. The Wakeboarding, Waterskiing and Tubing Package is another great option, according to Fiem. “This package is great for a family of up to six people,” he said. “It’s nice because no matter what the experience level is, everyone will be able to do something.” One of the most comforting aspects of Tidal Wave Water Sports is that no one ever goes out alone. A staff member accompanies every adventure. “It is almost like having a personal lifeguard because all our staff members are trained in CPR,” he said. “They also are wonderful guides and ambassadors for the island.” Tidal Wave’s 27-member staff consists mostly of guides, crew and boat captains, all of them well-versed in safety measures. In fact, a document Fiem and his partners created is being used by their insurance company, Lloyd’s of London, as the safety manual template for similar companies. Fiem said he tells his staff to think of customers as family members. Each person who books an adventure must listen to a 15-minute explanation of what to expect, and every adventure has different age limits and other requirements. Tidal Wave supplies all its guests with lifejackets and free drinking water. Fiem said appointments are recommended but added that he can sometimes accommodate walk-ups. “We love our customers and this community on the Isle of Palms,” he said. “It’s a happy atmosphere, and we look forward to being here for many, many years to come.” For more information on Tidal Wave Water Sports, visit www.tidalwavewatersports.com or call 843-886-8456. Photo courtesy of Tidal Wave Water Sports. Water World There’s No Business Like This Business By Theresa Stratford [ Playing ]