Come see what a surfboard is made of, how the design has changed over the decades, and some of the most popular board shapes today. A shortboard is laid out for you to hop on and decide your stance, and current competition trophies display some of the best contemporary surfers of today.
Surfing History (divided into 4 chronological panels)
- The Sport of Kings: Surfing originated in Polynesia and Hawaii in the 1800s. Duke Kahanamoku and the Beach Boys of Waikiki revived surfing in the early 1900s.
- 1960s and 1970s: The Surfboard Revolution: Films such as Gidget and The Endless Summer introduced the sport to future surfers worldwide. New board and fin shapes made shortboards much more maneuverable.
- 1980s: The Birth of Professionalism: Surfing became a professional sport with local pros and shapers leading the way.
- 1990s-2000s: Surfing Goes Mainstream: A new generation of local surfers rose to prominence.
There is a touch screen monitor showing a series of nine oral history videos that include interviews with and surf footage of Renny Yater, Al Merrick, Tom Curren, Kim Mearig, Bobby Martinez, Gates Foss, George Greenough, and two other segments on Groms—our surfers of the future—and the local surf spots.
Interchangeable panels feature topics such as Legendary Surfers, Surf Shapers, Legendary Shapers, the Rincon Classic, Surf Film Makers, the Curren Family, Surf Art, Surf Gear, and the Santa Barbara Surf Club.
Artifacts
- George Greenough’s Camera and Kneeboard: Innovator and filmmaker George Greenough used this 28-pound shoulder-mounted camera (with water housing) to film his 1969 full-length surf movie, The Innermost Limits of Pure Fun. Behind the camera you will find an early kneeboard, which Greenough rode at Rincon. He was the first to film surfers from the water and the first to curve the fin on a kneeboard.
- Blue and Green Al Merrick Shortboard: This shortboard was cut to fit the exhibit; it was originally 6 feet 8 inches long.
- Vintage 1960s Longboard: This Steve Brom board was also cut to fit the exhibit; it was originally about 8 feet long.
- Surf’n Wear Hammonds Surf Classic 1986 T-shirt: This never-before-worn t-shirt was donated by Roger Nance. In 1979, Nance and Jeff White created the Rincon Classic, a locals-only contest for Santa Barbara surfers to show off their skills.
- Yater Surfboard: Reynolds “Renny” Yater is considered the ultimate artist of surfboard design. He built long boards designed for Rincon. In the film Apocalypse Now, Robert Duvall wears a Yater T-shirt, and one of his lines in the famous “Charlie don’t surf” scene is, “Grab my Yater spoon, my 6’8”, a famous surfboard during the 1960s.
Surfboards Hanging Overhead
- Matt Moore: Designed by Matt Moore of Rincon Designs, this board is between a short and a fish board. It is like a fish board because it has a wide deck surface, but its shape is that of a short board.
- Tom Curren’s Red Beauty: An Al Merrick/Channel Islands Surfboards board signed by Tom Curren. This is one of Tom’s signature boards. Tom is a three-time World Champion.
- Kim Mearig shortboard: An Al Merrick/Channel Islands Surfboards short board used by Kim Mearig. Kim—a classmate of Tom Curren’s—was the 1984 World Champion.
- Kelly Slater: An Al Merrick/Channel Islands Surfboards board signed by Kelly. It was used by Kelly to win one of his first World Championships. While not a local, Kelly surfs Channel Islands boards and is a ten-time World Champion.
- Bobby Maritinez: An Al Merrick/Channel Islands Surfboards short board he used in competition. It is signed by Bobby on the bottom of the board (facing up).
- Clyde Beatty Jr.: The original rocket fish; designed by Clyde Beatty Jr. and Wayne Rich.
Learn About Our Other Museum Exhibits
Santa Barbara Maritime Museum has several other fascinating exhibits, and there's something fun for everyone in the family. Come learn about 13,000 years of human history in the Santa Barbara Channel, including the Chumash Indians, deep sea divers, shipwrecks, commercial fishing, and so much more. We also have several contemporary exhibits about the evolution of surfing, oil spills, whales, and marine life. There are several fun and interactive exhibits and activities for kids too.