Mission Statement
A lifetime achievement honor, the “Silver Surfer Award” will be presented annually by the California Surf Museum to a surfer who has made significant contributions to the culture and lifestyle of the surfing community and whose life has also inspired others to expand their awareness and continues to set a shining example of a true Silver Surfer. The recipient will be presented with a “Silver Surfer Award” inscribed with their name and year of honor; a perpetual “Silver Surfer Award” with names of the recipients will be housed at the California Surf Museum.
Paul Strauch Jr., Tara Torburn presenting his Silver Surfer award with Jim Kempton. photo courtesy of Lance Smith
California Surf Museum’s Silver Surfer Recipients – 2023
Joey Cabell, Fred Hemmings, Paul Strauch Jr., Butch Van Artsdalen – In Memory, and Marge Calhoun – In Memory
Presentations at the 14th Annual Gala Fundraiser, Cape Rey Carlsbad Beach/A Hilton Resort, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023
California Surf Museum’s Silver Surfer Recipients – 2022
Yvon Chouinard, Kathy Kohner Zuckerman aka “Gidget”, and Bing Copeland
Presentations at the 14th Annual Gala Fundraiser, Cape Rey Carlsbad Beach/A Hilton Resort, Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022
California Surf Museum’s Silver Surfer Recipients – 2021
Debbie Beacham, Lynn Boyer, Kim Mearig, Tom Morey – In Memory, Donald Takayama – In Memory and Joel Tudor
Presentations at the 13th Annual Gala Fundraiser, Cape Rey Carlsbad Beach/A Hilton Resort, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021
California Surf Museum’s Silver Surfer Recipients – 2019
Lisa Andersen, Tom Curren and Don Hansen
Presentations at the 12th Annual Gala Fundraiser, Cape Rey Carlsbad Beach/A Hilton Resort, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019
Don Hansen presented by Jim Jenks • Lisa Andersen presented by Bob McKnight • Tom Curren presented by Sam George
California Surf Museum’s Silver Surfer Recipients – 2018
Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew, Ian Cairns, Dane Kealoha, Margo Oberg, Mark “MR” Richards, Shaun Tomson and Peter “PT” Townend
Presentations at the 11th Annual Gala Fundraiser, Cape Rey Carlsbad Beach/A Hilton Resort, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018
Peter Townend presented by his sons Tosh and Jye Townend • Ian Cairns presented by Jim Kempton • Rabbit Bartholomew presented by Evan Slater • Margo Oberg presented and accepted by Bill Barnfield • Shaun Tomson presented by Jim Kempton • Mark Richards presented by Bob McKnight • Dane Kealoha accepted by Jim Kempton
California Surf Museum’s Silver Surfer Recipients – 2017
Fernando Aguerre, Gerry Lopez and Jericho Poppler
Presentations at the 10th Annual Gala Fundraiser, Cape Rey Carlsbad Beach/A Hilton Resort, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017
Fernando Aguerre presented by Paul Naudé • Jericho Poppler presented by Gregory Harrison • Gerry Lopez presented by Nat Young
California Surf Museum’s Silver Surfer Recipients – 2016
Joyce Hoffman and Nat Young
Presentations at the 9th Annual Gala Fundraiser, SpringHill Marriott Oceanside/Downtown, Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016
Joyce Hoffman introduced and presented by Cori Schumacher • Nat Young introduced by Jock Sutherland presented by Jim Kempton
California Surf Museum’s Silver Surfer Recipient – 2015
Greg Noll
Presentation at the 8th Annual Gala Fundraiser, SpringHill Marriott Oceanside/Downtown, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015
Speakers: Gary Linden, Fernando Aguerre and Greg Long • Presented by Greg Long
California Surf Museum’s Silver Surfer Recipient – 2011
Skip Frye
Introduction by Michael Burner at the 4th Annual California Surf Festival, Brooks Theater, Oct. 16, 2011
Speakers: Jim Kempton, Sam Zuegner, Hank Warner, Michael Burner and Harold Reed • Presented by Gary Linden
California Surf Museum’s Silver Surfer Recipient – 2010
Linda Benson
Introduction by Paul Holmes at the 3rd Annual California Surf Festival, Brooks Theater, Oct. 10, 2010
Speakers: Ty Ponder, Julie Cox and Sally Clevenger • Presented by Jim Kempton
California Surf Museum’s Silver Surfer Recipients – 2009
Gary Linden
Introduction by Paul Holmes at the 2nd Annual California Surf Festival, Brooks Theater, Nov. 22, 2009
Inaugural Silver Surfer Award presented by Larry Balma
