SHACC Limited Edition Portfolio Available Now!

The California Gold Edition Portfolio of ten classic surf photos is being exclusively offered by Surfing Heritage.

Tom Servais: Tom Curren, Backdoor, 1991

Art Brewer: Phil Grimes, Newport Point, 1977

Leo Hetzel:  Too Much Beer, 3 M's, Baja, 1963

Bob Barbour:  Kevin Reed, Steamer lane, January 1976

Art Brewer:  Evan Slater's quiver, Todos Santos, Baja, 1992

Leo Hetzel:  Howard Cooney surf check at Lowers, 1964

Tom Keck: Miki Dora, Hollywood Palladium, 1966

Art Brewer: Salt Creek, 1971

Steve Wilkings: Donald Takayama, Hermosa Beach, 1966

Dick Metz:  1st Point, Malibu, circa early 1960s

Included in this amazing collection of iconic images: 1 photo by Bob Barbour, 3 photos by Art Brewer, 2 by Leo Hetzel, 1 by Tom Keck, 1 by Dick Metz, 1 by Tom Servais, and 1 by Steve Wilkings. Only 12 portfolios are left, please remember, when the edition is sold out, no more will be available. Every photo is hand-embossed with the SHACC logo and each set includes 2 photographer bio and photo description sheets hand-signed by all the photographers, all housed in a custom, laser-etched aluminum case. At only $800 for all 10–11x17" photos, the portfolios are sure to sell out.

Please call us at 949.388.0313 or email Barry@surfingheritage.org to reserve your portfolio.

New "Collectibles" Section on Our Website

This is a section that you'll want to check back with since the items will vary and there may be only one or a few of. Prices do not include shipping and items will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. For now we're offering up these original mint condition 1960s surf patches. We also have a selection of vintage Hawaiian shirts but at this point you'll need to come to the SHACC to view the selection. We plan on adding some early issues of the surf magazines soon.

Click HERE to see what's currently available.

Edward Ryon Makuahanai "Eddie" Aikau

Fred Hemmings and Eddie exiting the water at Waianae, HI. Photo from the Fred Hemmings' Collection.

Edward Ryon Makuahanai "Eddie" Aikau (May 4, 1946 – March 17, 1978) is one of the most respected names in surfing. He was the first lifeguard at Waimea Bay on the island of Oahu. He saved many lives and became well known as a big-wave surfer. "Eddie" was a true symbol of Aloha.

Born on the island of Maui, Aikau later moved to O'ahu with his family in 1959. In 1968, he became the first lifeguard hired by the City & County of Honolulu to work on the North Shore. Not one life was lost while he served as lifeguard at Waimea Bay. Eddie braved surf that often reached 20 feet high or more to make a rescue. He became very famous for surfing the bigHawaiian surf and won several surfing awards including First Place at the prestigious 1977 Duke Kahanamoku Invitational Surfing Championship. The local saying, "Eddie Would Go," refers to his stoke to take on big waves that other surfers would shy away from and his courage to make a rescue in impossible situations. 

"Eddie" became involved in perpetuating his Hawaiian heritage. In 1976, the Polynesian Voyaging Society sailed the Hokule'a on a successful 30-day, 2500 mile journey following the ancient route of the Polynesian migration between the Hawaiian and Tahitian islands. In 1978, a second voyage of the traditional sailing canoe was planned. At 31 years of age, Aikau was selected for this voyage as a crew member. The Hokule'a left the Hawaiian Islands on March 16, 1978. The double-hulled voyaging canoe developed a leak in one of the hulls and later capsized in stormy weather about twelve miles south of the island of Molokai. In an attempt to get to land to save his crew and the Hokule'a, Aikau paddled toward Lanai on his surfboard. Hours later a commercial airplane spotted the Hokule'a and the rest of the crew was soon rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard. Aikau was missing at sea. Despite great search efforts "Eddie" was never seen again. (excerpt from the Eddie Aikau Foundation website)

Early Sunset Beach

You'd hardly recognize the landscape in this photo but the wave remains the same. From the collection of Bev Morgan - Sunset Beach, Hawaii 1960

San Onofre Exhibit at Casa Romantica

Casa Romantica Hosts 2013 Coast Culture Exhibition

San Onofre, Birthplace of Southern California Beach Culture

June 23 – August 25

In collaboration with the Surfing Heritage & Culture Center, and the California Surfing Museum, Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens has launched its 2013 Coast Culture Exhibition, San Onofre, Birthplace of Southern California Beach Culture.  This fascinating exhibition explores the rich history and significance of San Onofre; bringing to life the unique story of our local natural treasure, renowned state park and internationally acclaimed surf beach with displays of rare photographs, special surfboards, fascinating artifacts, paintings and vintage memorabilia.

Casa Romantica

415 Avenida Granada · San Clemente · CA · 92672

1926 Waikiki

Click on the image to enlarge

My dad was 7 1/2 when the photos were taken - his name was Robert John (Bob) Brooks. He was an only child and lived in Chicago with his mom and dad. The family took a cruise to Honolulu on the SS President Wilson departing San Francisco June 26 and arriving in Honolulu July 2, 1926. I was able to zero in on the dates using Ancestry.com where I found the passenger list for the ship (attached). The photographs are 8x10s and have the name of a Chicago photo lab on the prints, so I suspect that they were taken by family members, not cruise ship employees.

He passed away at age 92 and I am just now sorting through all the old albums and boxes of photographs. I knew these photos existed, but only just now came across them. – Carol Parker