Catching up with local surfer and realtor Sarah Savoye
About 7 years ago or so my wife and I went to a birthday party for a friend at The Washout, and she introduced us to Sarah as one of her buddies and neighbor. After a little or a long chat (the night is a tad blurry), I discovered that Sarah graduated from the same College as my wife and I – A small 4,000-student school in Western Maryland. As fellow Frostburg Bobcats, we bonded right away. It also helped that she was a real estate agent as was I in a past life. Then, as relationships do in Folly, we started to bump into her and her significant other Matt, a local Home Inspector. I would be walking my dog, and they would be riding their bikes. We’ve probably passed each other on Artic that way 50 times now. We’d also see them out on Center Street and driving their golf cart with surf boards in the back, you know… typical Folly stuff. When I saw her out and about recently, I asked her if she wanted to do an interview and being the resourceful and fast acting person that agents are today, she answered the call within days.
FOLLY CURRENT: Where were you born and how long have you been tied to Folly?
SARAH SAVOYE: I was born in Allentown, PA, grew up in Annapolis, MD and within days after graduating college (2007), I decided I was tired of the snow and wanted to move to the beach. I moved with my dog Jack, a futon and two hundred bucks in my account and started life here in Folly. I met Matt (her husband) later, here in 2014, and I moved into the house he bought on the Eastside not too long after that.
FC: What’s your favorite thing about Folly Beach?
SS: It’s all about the community! On Folly, you don’t just live in a place, you are part of it. The ocean seems to set the pace for how we live. Being out and about, you’re almost guaranteed to bump into someone you know. It’s that tight-knit, small town feel mixed with laid back ocean energy, that draws everyone together. The beach is our backyard and that never gets old. I love the ease of walking, biking, surfing, hopping on a boat, sunrise and sunset walks, it’s all part of the rhythm. Living close to the beach, we can enjoy it more easily! Living this life with family, lifelong friends and a crew – that’s as real as it gets.
FC: Share a story you are fond of about Folly Beach.
SS: Does it have to be just one? There are so many memories! But if I had to pick, New Year’s Day has become my absolute favorite day of the year. Every year is unforgettable – dressing up in wild outfits, jumping in the cold water for a plunge and then celebrating with an epic party! While our waves might not be world class, some of my most memorable surf sessions have happened right here.
Hurricane season can be a bit of a love/hate thing, but when the storms stay just offshore, sending in perfect waves without getting too close, it’s pure magic. The energy in the air when the ocean turns on is unlike anything else. The ocean becomes the center of attention and the buzz it creates is impossible to describe.
It’s like the entire town feels that shift and everyone is connected by the one thing it is built around. One moment I’ll never forget is surfing at the Washout during a hurricane swell when Norman Godley Jr. (RIP Norm) asked me to hold his board while he helped a baby loggerhead sea turtle make its way past the breakers. That memory has really stuck with me and I will always cherish it. Surfing has been central to my life and I will always love Folly Beach for that.
Lastly, can we talk about Surf Bar? EVERY memory there was a core memory. It wasn’t just a bar, it was the place to go. A real deal Folly Beach staple. The food, beers, bartenders, late night dancing – didn’t matter when you showed up, you knew it was going to be a great time. Live bands like Dangermuffin, Weigh Station, Gaslight Street, Deadwin always someone worth seeing, always someone you knew in the crowd. People didn’t just go to Surf Bar, they lived it. Every memory from there just hits different. #BringSurfBarBack
FC: In your opinion what’s the most important issue facing our community today?
SS: PARKING. I believe the accessibility of free parking should be available to everyone, without the added cost. Although residents are eligible for two parking passes, the reality is that finding available parking spaces can still be a challenge, especially when you want to avoid paying. The current parking situation often makes it difficult for both locals and visitors to fully enjoy the beach experience. I feel that, in a community like Folly Beach, everyone should have the opportunity to access the beach without the financial burden of parking fees. Let’s give the people what they really want – free parking! A thoughtful update to our parking policy could make beach access easier and more welcoming for everyone. The beach should be a place to relax, not worry about meters and fees.
FC: If you were in charge, how would you fix it?
SS: If I were in charge (also, please don’t roast me on my preliminary plan), I’d implement a donation-based parking system. Visitors would use kiosks or an app to donate what they feel is fair for parking at key spots like the Pier, Washout, and beach accesses.
• Voluntary Donations: No set fees, giving visitors flexibility to contribute what they can. Donations help fund beach upkeep or organizations that are important for Folly Beach and Charleston: Charleston Water Keeper, Surfrider, South Carolina Environmental Law Project, Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network or others.
• Incentives: Regular donors could receive perks like local discounts or priority parking.
• Resident Access: Residents Park for free.
This approach keeps parking accessible while supporting the island’s maintenance in a community driven way! Let’s keep Folly, Folly.
FC: Do you have a nickname?
SS: My family calls me Sass. Short for Sassy. Most people just know me by Sarah. Social media handles: @summersalts and
Every month, local entrepreneur and author Pat “Wiggy” Hiban interviews a different “Face of Folly” for this column. If you have an idea of someone you think Pat should chat with, please send suggestions to editor@follycurrent.com.
