California Surfing Photos

California Surfing Photos includes images of surfers, surf cities, beaches and the California surfing passion that's prominent on this West Coast state. While there are four states located on the West Coast (California, Oregon, Washington and Alaska), California offers the warmest waters and largest population, making it the Surfing USA Capitol.   Our signature photo shown above is a silhouette of a surfer strolling along the wet sand touched by a wave south of the Huntington Beach Pier. This photo is one of our premier Stock Photography shots owned by Debbie Stock.  It has graced the cover of many newspapers and magazines and has been seen around the globe, most recently in a press kit to the UK. Featured in TV ads, books and even water bottle labels, it's popularity ranks Number Two among the photos Stock has taken during her journalism career.

Did you know that longboard surfers have hearts? Down in Socal's OC, the Longboard Crew puts together an annual event at Christmas called Bikes to Baja. Nevermind the fact that they get to surf in San Quintin as an added bonus.

About the California surfing craze:  This growing industry provides a natural sport that allows youth and adults to enjoy the natural environment much as skiers love the snow. The boards, the fins, body suits and gear have changed and progressed in a similar fashion to the snow ski industry, making the sport not just a thrilling challenge but also a fashion statement. Groms or surfing youth grow into competitive surfers who seek sponsors to sport their names on products and promotions.

Surfing is a difficult sport to turn into a career choice and many professional surfers look on the horizon to other career activities to support them through their lives as surfing may sustain an individual only for a limited time. As a pleasure sport, tourists can enjoy surf camps for the kids, surfing lessons for the family and individual surf lessons to learn the basics and be out surfing in one session. Many of these classes provide beginners with a board and wetsuit for a minimal investment to determine if you really like the sport. For photographs, surfing is not only an art form, it provides sporting photography challenges and gives a very local flavor to travel pictures.  California Beaches & Cities - BeachCalifornia.com has included a few of our hundreds of surfing and surfer photos for you to look at.  Do you need surfing lessons?  You can purchase them online for San Diego surfing.

California enjoys not one but at least three surfing museums. The surfing museum locations include San Diego County's Oceanside, Orange County's Huntington Beach and Santa Cruz County's Santa Cruz. In Santa Cruz County, surfing is the game for thousands of sports enthusiasts who enjoy the waves at places such as Capitola and Privates.  By the numbers, San Diego garners perhaps the greatest number of surfers. Local neighborhood surfing spots include Ocean Beach and Tourmaline Beach, home to surfing legend Skeeter Malcolm. 

Surfers from throughout California and even around the globe go "down the coast" to San Diego to surf.  Swami's, named for the Self-Realization Fellowship Retreat Center next to the surfing beach, is a favorite surfing spot. There's a small parking lot which usually overflows onto the roadside parking on Coast Highway which is recognized as an historic route in that neck of the woods. Surfers and beach-goers must go down a set of wooden stairs to gain access to the beach.

Next there's a close tie between Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Redondo Beach enjoys a surfing tradition recognizing local hero George Freeth as the first surfer in the United States. Nearby Hermosa Beach is not to be outdone. They have a statue commemorating a hero of their own, Tim Kelley.

2007  CALIFORNIA SURFING EVENTS CONTESTS & COMPETITION (subject to change)

There are hundreds upon hundreds of local surfing events held in California each year and each surfing season. From high surf team challenges to pro surfing competitions, you'll find that the finest surfers can make poor waves look interesting, as we've seen in previous US Open of Surfing seasons. The surfers, surf culture, fans and families all come and and contribute to make this sport an "All American" style contest that's overall clean and wholesome. More California surfing events

The 2007 Mavericks Surf Contest , legendary big wave rider and Mavericks Contest Director, Jeff Clark, can call the contest when weather conditions are optimal. MORE
UPDATE: Mavericks contest was called off for the 2007 season. The waves simply did not materialize.

NSSA Southwest Conference Open Season 2007

 

WESTERN SURFING ASSOCIATION WSA/HOBIE CHAMPIONSHIP TOUR EVENTS