Hawaii is where surfing began, some say, but you can make a strong case that no other state has celebrated “catching a wave” more. Californians have made surfing more a lifestyle than a mere sport.
“I am stoked,” said South Bay Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi, (D-Torrance), an avid surfer. “No other sport represents the California dream better than surfing — riding the waves of opportunity and living in harmony with nature.”
Kolohe Andino, of San Clemente goes horizontal during the US Open of Surfing competition in Huntington Beach on Monday, July 30, 2018. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Huntington Beach surfer Kanoa Igarashi rides a wave in round five heat eight at the Vans US Open of Surfing on Saturday, August 4, 2018. (Photo by Matt Masin, Contributing Photographer)
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San Clemente’s Griffin Colapinto is runner-up in the US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach on Sunday, Aug 5, 2018. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Stephanie Gilmore is the runner-up of the US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach on Sunday, Aug 5, 2018. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Courtney Conlogue of Santa Ana beats out Caroline Marks in the semifinals of the US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach on Sunday, Aug 5, 2018. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
In this 1965 file photo, youthful actors in a Hollywood movie amuse themselves between shooting of scenes at California’s Malibu Beach by staging an airborne twist exhibition on top of a surfboard. California Gov. Jerry Brown announced Monday, Aug. 20, 2018, that he signed a bill making surfing the official state sport. (AP Photo/File)
Kanoa Igarashi beats Seth Moniz in the quarterfinals during the US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach on Sunday, Aug 5, 2018. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
San Clemente surfer Griffin Colapinto catches air on a wave in round five heat three at the Vans US Open of Surfing on Saturday, August 4, 2018. (Photo by Matt Masin, Contributing Photographer)
San Clemente surfer Griffin Colapinto catches air on a wave in round five heat three at the Vans US Open of Surfing on Saturday, August 4, 2018. (Photo by Matt Masin, Contributing Photographer)
Gavin Mincinski, 14, competes in a paddle surfing contest at San Clemente’s annual Ocean Festival on Saturday, July 21, 2018. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Tyler Basher competes in a paddle surfing contest at San Clemente’s annual Ocean Festival on Saturday, July 21, 2018. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Griffin Colapinto of San Clemente surfs along with other pro surfers and with U.S. Olympic athletes as they ride the waves together for the first time during a fun Olympic exhibition at Lower Trestles at San Onofre State Beach on Wednesday, June 20, 2018, during a break in the USA Surfing Championships. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Life goes on as vibrant sand art gets washed away during high tide in Huntington Beach on Saturday, Jun 16, 2018. The art, in conjunction with International Surfing Day, was intended to “put good vibes in the world,” said artist Laura Wright, until nature swept it out to sea. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Volunteer artists create beach art as part of International Surfing Day in Huntington Beach on Saturday, Jun 16, 2018. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Prince Dudeman takes a nose dive while surfing in the Purina Pro Plan Incredible Dog Challenge in Huntington Beach, CA, on Friday, June 8, 2018. Prince Dudeman is owned by Ryan Thor of Culver City. Dog diving, agility courses and disc routines were some of the events. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Derby catches a wave while surfing in the Purina Pro Plan Incredible Dog Challenge in Huntington Beach, CA, on Friday, June 8, 2018. Derby is owned by Kentucky Gallahue. Dog diving, agility courses and disc routines were some of the events. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Two surfers catch a wave north of the pier in Huntington Beach on Monday, June 11, 2018. Surf will be smaller this weekend, in the 2-3 foot range for for International Surfing Day.. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Army SSG Kisha Makerney, who had her left foot amputated in 2005, gets encouragement as she picks up a wave during Operation Surf in Huntington Beach, CA, on Monday, Jun 4, 2018. Twenty-two wounded veterans got to spend the week surfing, some for the first time, with instructors. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Supporters of surfing, ocean safety and water sports paddled out to remember a Laguna icon, Bruce Hopping on June 14, 2018 at Thalia Street Beach. (Photo by Erika I. Ritchie, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Hundreds of surfers come together for their surfing friend, pastor and Hall of Fame inductee Sumo Sato at the north side of the pier in Huntington Beach on Saturday, April 14, 2018. Sato died of cancer last month. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Hundreds of surfers come together for their surfing friend, pastor and Hall of Fame inductee Sumo Sato at the north side of the pier in Huntington Beach on Saturday, April 14, 2018. Sato died of cancer last month. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Hundreds of surfers come together for their surfing friend and pastor Sumo Sato at the north side of the pier in Huntington Beach on Saturday, April 14, 2018. Sato died of cancer last month. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Muratsuchi co-authored the legislation with fellow Assemblyman Ian Calderon, (D-Whittier), signed Monday into law by Gov. Brown.
The Golden State boasts about 1,100 miles of coastline, as well as some of the world’s best surf breaks and several museums devoted to surfing.
“Growing up surfing not only had a significant impact on who I am as a person, but also taught me at a young age to appreciate and cherish our beautiful coastline that we are so fortunate to have here in California,” Calderon said.
Calderon, a former professional surfer who started competing in contests at age seven and went on to work for Hurley in retail marketing, has said that he hopes the designation will have a positive impact on the economy.
Back in February, with Hermosa Beach’s Surfer’s Walk of Fame as their backdrop, Muratsuchi and Calderon were joined by other state and local elected officials and leaders in the surfing industry to urge support for their measure.
“A big part of surfing is the environmental message of protecting and respecting the ocean,” Muratsuchi said. “We want to teach all Californians, not just surfers, the importance of protecting the ocean.”
Studies estimate the global surfing industry generates $10 billion to $13 billion annually, roughly $6 billion of which come from retail sales in California where 10,000 to 20,000 people are employed in the surfing industry. But when considering international travel and related tourism, a 2017 study put the total global value at more than $50 billion annually.
Previous studies have attempted to put a value on particular surf breaks. A 2010 study found the big-wave break at Mavericks off Half Moon Bay was worth about $23.9 million considering 420,000 people traveled there each year to see the monster waves, according to an article in Fortune. A 2012 study of the break at Trestles in San Diego County attached a price value of $24 million.
Staff writer David Rosenfeld contributed to this report.
