July 13, 2025

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Just over 100 years ago, on June 14, 1925, Duke Kahanamoku rescued eight drowning crew members whose vessel, the Thelma, had swamped in heavy seas at the mouth of Newport Harbor in Corona Del Mar. The incident prompted lifeguards in California to adopt surfboards as a primary way of rescuing victims in dangerous conditions.

As Duke said, “It was in 1925 when I accidentally introduced another kind of surfing [lifesaving] to California. Good sometimes comes from the worst of tragedies. Boards became standard equipment on the emergency rescue trucks as well as at the towers.”

Now 100 years later, Big Wave Guardians: First Responders of the Sea shows how Hawaiians have again advanced lifeguarding and ocean rescues.

July 23

Film Screening

Big Wave Guardians:

First Responders of the Sea

Doors open at 6pm

Presentation begins about 6:30pm

$10 general admission

$5 California Surf Museum members

Seating is limited.

To RSVP and purchase tickets, please call 760-721-6876.

Big Wave Guardians is the story of Hawaiian lifeguarding and how it is intricately intertwined with surfing and the contemporary culture of Hawaii.

These Big Wave Guardians risk their lives to save others in the world’s most dangerous waves while inventing innovative water safety techniques.

It features Brian Keaulana, Terry Ahue, Eddie and Clyde Aikau, Jose and Johnny Angel, Mel Pu’u, Tamayo Perry, Andrea Moller, Mark Cunningham, Moana Jones, Darrick Doerner, Keala Kennelly, Buffalo, Sion Milosky, Jamie O’Brien, Mark Healey, and more than a dozen lifeguards on active duty.

The film was written by California Surf Museum’s Executive Director Jim Kempton, produced by legendary son Marty Hoffman of legendary surfer Flippy Hoffman, and directed by Luke Stirtz.



Film Awards: 

Maui Film Festival Audience Favorite Award

Santa Barbara Surf Film Fest Best Documentary

Cinemare International Ocean Film Festival Best Screenplay

Nature Track Film Festival Best Documentary

Click here for more information and to see the trailer.

Saturday, August 23 • 3-8pm

2nd Annual Rolling from the 60s into the 70s

Celebrating the culture and history of skateboarding and presentation of the 2025 Silver Skater awards.

Co-emcees: Denis Shufeldt

and Brian Logan

Guest Speaker: Steve Olson



2025 Silver Skater Honorees

Linda Benson

Joey Cabell

Ed Economy

Jim Ganzer

Randy Lewis

Carrasco Brothers: Richy, Rene, David

$85 admission includes dinner and one drink ticket

$225 Silver Skater Package. Includes dinner and one drink ticket, event t-shirt and hat, 13 tickets for Spin to Win ($130 value), and entry into drawing for a California Surf Museum one-year membership.

A limited number of reserved tables are available:

$680 reserved table of 8

$1,800 reserved table of 8 with Silver Skater Packages



Click here to get your tickets now! This event sold out last year!

It's all happening at the

Veterans Association of North County

1617 Mission Ave. Oceanside 92058

In conjunction with the Skateboarding Hall of Fame and Museum.

Click here to keep up-to-date on this event!

SAVE THE DATE

17th Annual Gala Fundraiser

Saturday, November 1

2-8pm

It’s going to be an Endless Summer in November as we celebrate the 2025 Silver Surfer honorees!



Bruce Brown in memory • Mike Hynson in memory • Robert August

John Van Hamersveld • Dana Brown

Robert “Wingnut” Weaver • Pat O’Connell

with Honorary Gala Chairwoman 2017 Silver Surfer Jericho Poppler

Join us at The Seabird Ocean Resort & Spa 

overlooking the ocean and Oceanside’s iconic pier!

101 Mission Avenue Oceanside

Tickets on sale soon! Click here to stay up-to-date!

One of our favorite groups is busy in August!

Never Die Young, a Tribute to James Taylor

August 1: ArtWalk Preview pARTy at Liberty Station, San Diego

August 17: Bernardo Winery, San Diego

August 23: Bornemann Theatre, San Marcos

Click here for show information and tickets.

July 18-August 17

Find Your Happy at the OC Fair!

The California Surf Museum was invited again this year to have a display in the theme hall at the 2025 OC Fair!

Orange County Fair & Event Center

88 Fair Dr, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

ocfair.com

September 19-21

The Super Girl Pro is back at Oceanside Pier and looking for volunteers!

If you are interested in volunteering at the Super Girl Pro Surf Festival, click here for the volunteer sign up form.

Click here for information about this annual event.

If you have not yet seen it, come check out one of our most dynamic exhibits to date! So much to see!

This “blast from the past” exhibit demonstrates how, in less than a decade, from the years from 1958 to 1965, surfing related elements came to dominate popular culture forming a lasting effect on California, America and the world at large. From iconic record albums, period surfboards, fashion artifacts, seminal photographic images and memorabilia, visitors will get a clearer sense of why this era is considered the “golden age” of surfing and the surfing lifestyle. On display through September 1.

Be sure to check out surfmuseum.org!

There’s always lots to see!

As we gear up for the 17th Annual Gala Fundraiser, be sure to see all the fun and fundraising at the wrap up of the 16th Annual Gala Fundraiser here.

Click here to see past issues of the California Surf Museum’s newsletter OUTSIDE! going back to 2007! We still have more to upload.

Take a look around past events in the Event Archive.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

And don’t forgot to follow the California Surf Museum on YouTube! Lots to see there too! Including videos from past events and the very popular “Jan and Dean Sidewalk Surfin’” video.

The California Surf Museum Exhibit Hall is Open

10am-4pm Daily

NOW ON EXHIBIT

Click here to read about some of our exhibits online.

• Stars, Cars & Guitars: The Birth of the Modern Surf Era 1958-1965 through September 1, 2025
• GHOST WAVE: The Mystery of Cortes Bank
• Wave Science: Coastal Data Information Program (CDIP)
• A Brief History of Surfboards: from Wood to Foam and Fiberglass
• Courageous Inspiration: Bethany Hamilton
• Making Waves: Jack and Reid Van Wagoner
• Bodysurfing: Fins and Handplanes

Shop the California Surf Museum Store!

Surfing Monkeys are back!

In store only — no shipping

Our Museum Store is stocked up with lots of unique merchandise both in store and online! Click here to shop online (California Surf Museum members: be sure to call in your order to get your 10% discount on California Surf Museum-branded store merchandise).

Remember, memberships always make great gifts -- click here -- or click here to renew your membership today! Besides 10% off on California Surf Museum-branded store merchandise, members get free admission to our exhibit hall, and free or reduced admission to our Big Wednesdays and other in-house events.

Already a member? Be sure to share the stoke by sharing your guest passes with your friends and family!

Mission Statement

The California Surf Museum 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.