Is the capital for water surfing inOceanside, Calif ?

Question

Is the capital for water surfing inOceanside, Calif ?

Answer 1

There's at least 3 cities in California that claim to be the "surf capital" of California, Oceanside, Huntington Beach, and Encinitas. None are officially recognized as such.

Answer 2

Huntington Beach is the "Real Surf City" regardless of what any other city might claim, including Oceanside and Santa Cruz.  Historically, the first mainland shaper was Bud Higgins, a HB lifeguard, who shaped boards beginning in 1927.  George Freeth dedicated the HB Pier.  The wetsuit (frogman) was invented in HB during the second world war.  HB High School was the first school in the US to recognize surfing as a sport plus the HB Union HS District was the first league to sponsor surfing competitions.  The NSSA was founded primarily by HB surf schools. Dean Torrance of Jan and Dean says their song Surf City is about HB.  Finally, HB is the current home of the USA Surf Team and the Surfing Walk of Fame.  And besides all that, the entire culture of HB relates to surfing and the surfing community.  Enough said.