Oceanside, CA — The California Surf Museum (CSM) is pleased to announce that Chris Carter, distinguished television and film writer/producer and creator of the now legendary TV series “The X-Files,” will serve as Honorary Gala Chairman of the Museum’s 16th Annual Gala Fundraiser to be held Saturday, November 2nd at Carlsbad’s ocean-front Cape Rey Carlsbad Beach.
“The year’s event is a special one as we celebrate the Museum’s 38th anniversary,” said CSM Executive Director Jim Kempton in making the announcement. “It is now even more special with our good friend and lifelong surfer Chris Carter serving as our Honorary Gala Chairman. His selection was an easy choice for the Museum’s Board of Directors to make, though his love for surfing may be surprising to some.”
Chris Carter was born and raised in Bellflower, California, and began his passion for surfing at the age of 12. A graduate of California State University, Long Beach with a degree in journalism, it was only natural he would use his craft to write about the sport he loved. This eventually led to a job at San Clemente-based Surfing Magazine where he worked for 13 years, eventually becoming Senior Editor.
At a certain point, his career sights began shifting in a different direction. He started writing original motion picture screenplays on spec and sending them out to various studios and agencies. His skills in this writing form were soon noticed and landed him a lucrative entry-level writing position at Disney Studios. But it would be his teaming with the FOX network where his skill set would reach full bloom. With a surfer’s go for it attitude he proposed an off-trend and risky idea for the creation of the series “The X-Files,” putting his fledgling career on the line behind it. Few could have envisioned at that point the show’s nine-year run as a TV series for the ages. It has earned Carter numerous accolades, including three Golden Globe Awards, eight nominations at the Primetime Emmy Awards, multiple nominations by the Directors Guild of America, and an Edgar Award, named after American writer Edgar Allan Poe, honoring the best in mystery fiction in television and film.
If there remains any doubt about Carter’s steadfast commitment to surfing, in a recent comment he made it clear. “On the day of the Golden Globes in 1994, I surfed the Hollister Ranch, drove to Beverly Hills and accepted the award for Best TV Drama,” he recalls.
About the 16th Annual Gala Fundraiser
With both a silent and live auction, the highlight of the Gala evening is the awards presentation to the 2024 recipients of the California Surf Museum’s “Silver Surfer Award,” a lifetime achievement award bestowed annually by the California Surf Museum to surfers who have made significant contributions to the culture and lifestyle of the surfing community and in recognition of a life that inspires others. This year’s recipients include three renowned surfing stylists who contributed to bringing international acclaim to surfing in the 1960s — surfers Mary Lou Drummy, Mickey Muñoz and LJ. Richards — joined by filmmaker Greg MacGillivray who along with partner Jim Freeman is heralded for creating some of the finest surf movies ever made. For more information about the event, this year’s recipients and to purchase tickets, visit surfmuseum.org.
About the California Surf Museum
Since 1986, the California Surf Museum has been collecting and preserving historically significant surfing artifacts commemorative of the surfing lifestyle and sport. These efforts include the production and presentation of numerous captivating exhibits that shine a dedicated light on various aspects of surfing and are supported by the development of dedicated educational materials. The funds generated from the annual Gala help the museum continue these efforts.
The California Surf Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that serves as an international repository and resource center on the lifestyle sport of surfing by capturing, preserving, and chronicling its art, culture and heritage for the education and enjoyment of current and future generations. Located at 312 Pier View Way, Oceanside, CA 92054; phone (760) 721-6876; email csm@surfmuseum.org.
