Southern California Surfing Culture
7 commentsThe popularity of surfing in Southern California first began with a visit from Kahanamoku, but was truly established by a man named George Freeth. Freeth had grown up surfing with the Duke at Waikiki, but moved to Southern California in the early 1900s. As California's first official lifeguard, Freeth brought his surfing skills to a population that was entranced with the sport.
Surfing competitions were established along the California coast during the 1920s, and a booming surf culture was created when the automobile became readily accessible. Surfers could load their boards into the back of their cars and travel up and down the southern California coast, chasing the biggest and best waves. Nomadic surfers continued to create surfing colonies along the south beaches well into the 1950s and 60s. The movies, songs, and television shows that celebrated this surfing culture put surfers into the mainstream for a few years and renewed a national interest in the sport, which led many people to visit the coast and try surfing for themselves.
Today's Surfing Scene
Modern surf culture is a little less nomadic and a little more conservative. There are still plenty of surfers on the California coast, as well as along the Hawaii and Australian beaches. Modern boards are much lighter and smaller than their ancestors, and surfing has developed a more commercial presence in the sporting community. Surfers have blended into society more, but they still chase the waves with the same passion as always.
So that's it, the history of surfing in a nutshell. If you missed any of the previous articles on the history of surfing, please have a read:
Origins of the sport of Surfing
Surfing in Ancient Hawaii and the Ledgend Duke Kahanamoku
Looking for possible record & results for a great event by a beach called Tanks(propane above the break) 3-6' faces perfect left & rights.
personal interest & local historical by 2 websites in Goleta(N. Sbar.)
Talley Bros. Frank, Steve & Jim all took 1st place in all divisions of this WSA sponsored & run contest. Much appreciation to anyone that can give me assistance. Frank Talley ftalley3@yahoo.com ,websites goletasurfing.com, Goleta,Gaviota hall of fame.com
Just wondering why surfing in California seems to be so very territorial. In the Malibu area specifically, it seems as though, if one wants to surf you have to "almost" ask for permission on certain beaches. Waves are not to be shared. What is that all about? I thought surfing was for the free-spirits furthermore, I thought, that the waves, the water, the wind are for everyone. I would like to know the history of this. I do believe it is a Californiaism.
JZ @ jezk57@yahoo.com
J Z Guest, It's called localism kook, we can't stand when non locals who have done nothing to help the beach or the community and have zero respect in the water for all the people that do. If you want to come to my spot, act like you're from here and have a loud mouth when we say something, don't be scared when something more comes out of a verbal dispute.
Wow dude, you're a jackass.
Wow. Go surf in Hawaii where everyone welcomes you. No stealing of waves and acting like a jerk. California being so liberal and acting like they are so excepting of everyone certainly are assholes in the water.
The "Surf Craze" of southern california was pretty much over by '65.
Actually the “surf craze” was very, very strong in Southern California. Those that were there know it.