SURF MUSEUM STORIES

Mike Richardson’s credentials would land him securely in the Encyclopedia of Shapers — if there was such a reference book. From the late 60s on, Mike left his mark on thousands of boards. He’s probably…

The Makai board has been on display at CSM for several years. It is solid redwood, a classic Alaia shape, and its obvious age earned it a spot in the Timeline exhibit,…

In 2018, California Surf Museum volunteer Bill Schildge and staff member Jared Henderson road-tripped up the California Coast to San Francisco on a journey to bring back a legendary board. The 1952…

Bob Spickard of The Chantays, a 1960’s surf rock band, tells how they came up with the name for their number one hit “Pipeline.” The Chantays Story It all started in 1961…

Thoughts on our recent run of epic winter surf Well mid-December through late January 2021 was a magical time to be a surfer.....with historic runs of NW swells and tasty conditions for…

John “Little John” Richards was born in 1939 and raised in Oceanside, and has been one of San Diego County’s most enduring and respected surf figures. In a career spanning six decades…

Surfing culture is vibrant and alive in O’side! The history surrounding the sport’s lifestyle and uniqueness is spotlighted at none other than Oceanside’s California Surf Museum (CSM)! Since 1986, CSM has worked to preserve…

In our first of what we hope to be many podcasts, premiere shapers Gary Linden and Carl Ekstrom talk about surfboard design with Surf Museum President Jim Kempton - and discuss the…

Award-winning Oceanside musician Shane Hall presents the new Oceanside Anthem: "The O" - celebrating Oceanside and its designation as an official California Cultural District! The video premiered at the inaugural Oceanside Culture…

On September 28th, 1991, the California Surf Museum had its grand opening at our first location in Oceanside: 308 North Pacific Street. We had the whole block to ourselves where 333 Pacific…

One wonderful aspect of some waves is the beloved Reform phenomena. The outer break appears to lose life and yet somehow the energy is re-bundled to have a second act before expiring…

Carl Herrman was born in 1939 in Freeport, New York, and attended Massapequa High School, where he lettered in football and wrestling. A pound-for-pound fit athlete, he was thus in great shape…

‘Pacific System Homes’ Style Redwood/Balsa Plank 10’ 7-1/2” 22-1/2” wide 17-1/2” nose 19” tail 3-1/2” thick 49 lbs. The board may have been shortened somewhat by cutting off the tail. “Dick purchased this…

Surfboards are meant to be surfed. Or are they? That said, several surfboard shapers have produced wooden boards that are such fine examples of craftsmanship and artistic expression that they can considered…