Surf Is California’s Official Sport

Recently I’ve done a blog post about the best surf spots in California. After all, those waves are some of the most iconic in the world. So, it wasn’t a surprise when the Californian state government decided to established surf as it’s official sport.

I grew up and live in Portugal, and here football is king. And although I spent plenty of hours playing football when I was younger (I was a goalkeeper!), it was surfing that took me off the soccer field and into the ocean. So, my sincere applause to California for that decision!

Surfing is California’s Soul

The law issued at the end of August recognizes that surf has its origins in Polynesia and it was imported to California from sister-state Hawaii. But that didn’t stop Californians making this sport their own and part of the state history.

Tree Hawaiians were the first to surf in California. It was the summer of 1885 in Santa Cruz. After that, many were the moments that linked this sport to the west coast of the United States. From the Gidget and Endless Summer movies to the “good vibrations” of the Beach Boys songs, Jack O’Neill’s wetsuit creation and Mavericks bravery stories.

133 years now claimed and applauded. Officially.

Nothing better represents the California Dream than surfing

Celebrate Surf in California

BEACHES
MUSEUMS
EVENTS
BEACHES

Santa Cruz

Malibu

Trestles

Rincon

MUSEUMS

Surfers’ Hall of Fame

International Surfing Museum

California Surf Museum

EVENTS

International Surf Festival

U.S. Open of Surfing

Mavericks Big Wave Surf Contest

Founders’ Cup of Surfing

Book Your Stay

Booking.com