History of surfing in Orange County

Today's photos show surfers at the mouth of Newport Harbor in the 1940s. Note that the rock jetty has not yet been built on the Corona del Mar side. From Duke Kahanamoku's adventures in Newport Beach in the 1910s, to the modern U.S. Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach, there's a long history of riding the waves here in Orange County.

The "season opener" meeting of the Orange County Historical Society, on Sept. 9th, will explore some of Orange County's surfing history. Dick Metz, board member and founder of the Surfing Heritage Foundation (SHF), will give a talk on this subject, with a special emphasis on the Laguna Beach and Newport Beach areas, his first-hand experiences, and his efforts to develop a place where future generations can learn about the roots and development of surfing. He supplied the vision and initial funding for the SHF. He is also donating his extensive collection of historical surfboards, and has bequeathed his estate to the organization.

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Metz was born in Laguna Beach where he grew up on the beach and learned to surf. A friend of such notables as Hobie Alter, Reynolds Yater, and Hevs McClelland, he is himself a pioneering figure in the sport and industry. He owned the Hobie Sports surf shops for 50 years, lived and surfed in Hawaii for 20 years, and was the driving force behind Surfline Hawaii.

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He traveled the world surfing, and was the first American to surf in South Africa. In fact, it was Metz who suggested South Africa to Bruce Brown as a filming location for “The Endless Summer.” The most spectacular segment of that groundbreaking surf film was shot there.

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The public is welcome to attend this free event, which will be held at Sherman Library & Gardens, 2647 E. Coast Hwy, Corona del Mar. The event will begin at 6:30pm with an appetizer/desserts potluck (bring enough of something for six people if you'd like to participate). Dick Metz will begin his talk (with "slide show!") at 7:30pm.

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Hope to see you there.