Come Here Often?

June 23, 2021
by
2 mins read
Mike Vannucci / Casey Alixandra

You’ve heard of work from home, now get ready for Mike Vannucci’s work-from-beach lifestyle.

For the last 16 years Mike Vannucci’s life has been by the shore—never confined in a room, instead only surrounded by open skies and white sand.

Before 2005, Vannucci’s work consisted of roofing houses and putting up dry wall. When his back started to disagree with the profession, he set out to look for a side job. It was when his friend brought up the idea of buying a beach business that inspired him—even after his friend changed his mind.

“I’m like, man, that sounds like a cool job. At the time, there was no one on the beach,” said Vannucci. “I took a chance on it. If anything, I thought it was going to be a weekend business. It turned out to be full time.”

Thus, East Coast Sports Rentals began. In the beginning, all Vannucci had was a hut, wooden chairs and no definite prices. It was only when his first customer arrived that things became real. 

“So, I’m standing there trying to figure things out, and this guy walks up to me, and he goes, ‘How much for a chair for a couple of hours?’ … ‘I don’t know, five bucks?’” Vannucci said. “I was so happy to make that first five bucks.”

As the years went by, the beach access on 15th Avenue North only grew, attracting more and more people to enjoy its splendors. 

“Before, it wasn’t much of a tourist destination,” said Vannucci. “Every year it gets busier and busier. There’s definitely a big difference.”

Vannucci’s interest also grew beyond the business. Now he keeps an eye out on the beach and the people residing there. What Mike never intended, though, was that one day he would save one of their lives.

“I was sitting in the dunes, and I heard kids screaming. It was a couple kids, they were farther out in the ocean, and I thought, I think those kids are in trouble,” he said. 

Immediately, Vannucci grabbed his long paddle board and ran to the noise. There in the water, too deep for some, he found two exhausted children.

“I ran out there as fast as I could and threw the boy on because he was bigger. They were clearly drowning. Then this other surfer saw what was going on and threw the girl on. Then we both paddled them in,” Vannucci said. “It was kinda cool to save somebody,” 

Working at the beach has had its moments of stress, but for Vannucci his biggest reoccurring hassle is the thunderstorms.

“It gives me anxiety bigtime. It’s super busy, you know, the sky is turning black, and you’re looking at radar—I get nightmares about it,” said Vannucci. “It’s the worst part of the job. Nothing like, all of a sudden, here comes this wind and the thought of 60 umbrellas flying around.”

Occasional rough weather comes with the job, but for Vannucci, it just makes him more appreciative of those clear sky days.

Today, Vannucci has over 200 beach chairs for rent and manages a full staff. His job requires tending to guests’ needs and lifting and moving chairs, all while under the hot Florida sun. When he’s not working, he enjoys paddle board surfing at any opportunity. 

Vannucci is at East Coast Sports Rentals every day of the week, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Whether the day is sunny or rainy, slow or busy, Vannucci will be there, happily by the waves. Then, when the sun is going down, he can look forward to the next day while collecting his chairs.

“My favorite part of the day is the morning. Rolling out there on the beach, turning the four-wheeler off, dropping the sets [of chairs], and all you hear is the waves crashing on the shore,” said Vannucci. “It’s nice and quiet. Peaceful.” 

Not many can say their work revolves around sunny skies, sunblock and distributing beach boards. But one thing is certain, Vannucci might have one of the best office views in all of Jacksonville.

Folio is your guide to entertainment and culture around and near Jacksonville, Florida. We cover events, concerts, restaurants, theatre, sports, art, happenings, and all things about living and visiting Jax. Folio serves more than two million readers across Jacksonville and Northeast Florida, including St. Augustine, The Beaches, and Fernandina.

Current Issue

SUBMIT EVENTS

Submit Events

Advertisements

An Evening with Jason Isbell
The Amp
Collision Homecoming
JWJ Park Events
omaha-steaks-banners

Date

Title

Current Month

Follow FOLIO!

Previous Story

Living with History

Next Story

Keep It in the Family

Latest from Uncategorized

SOUTHERN FRIED FUNERAL Antics at the Alhambra

The Alhambra Theatre launches into 2025 with the fast-paced comedy, SOUTHERN FRIED FUNERAL, one of two plays by writing duo Osborne and Eppler. Set in Mississippi, SOUTHERN FRIED FUNERAL’s action takes place over several days in August in the home of Dorothy Frye (Peg Pachal), who has just lost her

Make Room for Daddy

Dude Dad Debuts in Duuuval Words by Shelton Hull  Whereas social media was once the ugly duckling of the communications world, platforms like YouTube and TikTok have now become the most reliable indicators of social trends, and the primary means by which stars are made today, particularly in regard

A Super MAMMA MIA! Troupe Downtown

Unlike many of the numerous jukebox musicals around town this year, British playwright Catherine Johnson did not use the music of ABBA to write the musical about the group ABBA.  Partnered with primary ABBA songwriters Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus (some songs with Stig Anderson), she instead wove ABBA’s music through

Food, Folks and Fun

Words by Shelton Hull Wine To Unwind is a new house music night taking place at Norikase, a very popular Japanese restaurant at 9734 Deer Lake Court on the city’s southside. These events take place every Tuesday evening from 6:30 to 9:30pm, with The Balance King providing sonic soundscapes

It’s A CHRISTMAS STORY time at Alhambra

For fans of the 1983 classic comedy film, A CHRISTMAS STORY, hopefully you already have your tickets for Alhambra’s production.  If not, the best you can do is their waiting list, since they are sold out! The show very closely follows the movie’s storyline of young Ralphie Parker (Keegan Carroll)
July 5th Cleanup
GoUp