California Surfing Day is about more than riding a few waves, it’s a day to celebrate the state’s surfing lifestyle – its rich history, culture, the surf shops and board makers – and to show appreciation for all facets of this ocean-loving community.
The quasi-holiday on Sept. 20 became official when five years ago a group of local dignitaries and surfers went up to Sacramento to talk lawmakers into proclaiming day, with the official resolution passed in 2018.
Want to celebrate? Here’s a few ideas of how to embrace the region’s rich surf culture:
1. Go surf
This is your first task for the day – paddle out and get wet. There’s not much swell expected, just fun 2- to 3-footers lingering, and be warned, water temps dipped so bring a wetsuit. Instead of getting edgy at crowds, hoot someone into a wave or compliment another surfer on a nice ride. Perhaps take a little surf staycation and get out of your local surf break routine and explore a new spot to ride waves. Whatever you do, stay stoked.
2. Visit a surf museum
Orange County is home to two world-class surf museums definitely worth a visit.
You can’t miss the International Huntington Beach Surf Museum, just look for the world’s largest surfboard propped up in the lot.
The board has a fun history: Back in 2015, a record-breaking 66 surfers rode that 1,300-pound, 42-foot beast to shore, a moment that earned Surf City a nod in the Guinness World Records. It’s also a great selfie spot.
While the museum is closed Wednesday, you can plan a trip for any day Thursday through Sunday. Inside, you’ll find tons of surf history, including the current exhibit on the 40th anniversary of the OP Pro, which paved the way for the modern US Open of Surfing.
The Surfing Heritage and Culture Center is a bit harder to find, but worth the trek inland in San Clemente.
The museum has the largest collection of historic surfboards as part of its permanent “Timeline of Surfing” display. Boards lining…
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