Celebrating CSM’s first 40 years
The exhibit floor filled up quickly on Sunday, March 29 as members old and new and board members past and present turned out to celebrate CSM’s first 40 years.
Six of the original founders were in attendance: Mike Cates, June Chocheles, Kevin Kinnear, Parry Payne, Jane Schmauss, and Ian Urquhart, and each expressed a fond memory of the trials faced when getting the California Surf Museum under way.
The consistent theme was the belief in the importance of collecting, archiving, and displaying surf history. That concept brought them together and got the ball rolling. Other past board members that enjoyed the reunion were Joe Gallagher, Tillman Eakes, Dave Ish, Mike Burner, Gary Dwelley and Jeff Duclos. Former staff member Todd Quinn was pleased to see how much momentum CSM had gathered since he was on the team.
This year’s event honored artist Wade Koniakowsky, who was one of the featured artists in CSM’s recent collaboration with the Oceanside Museum of Art. Over the years, Wade visually captured many magic moments here at CSM and his stunning portraits of pioneer surfers line our walls. Wade has participated front and center in many of our Galas, where the on-site painting he creates is then auctioned off to the highest bidder.
CSM is fortunate and grateful to have such an acclaimed artist as a partner.
Upbeat, background melodies were provided by versatile musician Gerry Rahill, who has played for many of our events.
And thanks go out to Ray Orate, who donated aromatic fresh brew from his retro, surf-themed hangout, Interim Coffee in Carlsbad.
We are grateful to the team of experienced volunteers – Jody Schmauss, Kelly Magnuson, Christy Hartig, and Jon Schmauss – for rolling up their sleeves, sorting and arranging dozens of interesting raffle items that filled two large tables to overflowing. Other volunteers on duty that day were greeter Christy Hahn, Cory Lomberg, and Nancy Hoffman. Many thanks!
Perhaps the most eloquent words that captured the spirit of the afternoon were expressed by current Board Member Severino Ricci, who shared the following in a congratulatory email from his home base in Milan, Italy:
”Forty years is more than an anniversary. It’s a generation. And in the case of the California Surf Museum, it represents four decades of waves, stories, people, boards, and ideas that helped transform surfing from a niche pursuit into a global cultural language.
The California Surf Museum has never been just an exhibition space. From the very beginning, it has been an act of care—care for memory, for community, and for a lifestyle that risked being lost just as it was beginning to shape the world around it.
Celebrating 40 years is not about looking back with nostalgia.
It’s about recognizing the value of a journey built with vision, commitment, and heart. The California Surf Museum doesn’t simply tell the story of surfing. It protects its soul, and continues to inspire its future.”
– Jane Schmauss / Historian
