Welcome to Huntington Beach, one of California's Surf Cities. Traveling the state of California, our staff can testify that there are many fantastic surfing locations and communities not to be ignored for their amazing surf culture, waves and passion for the sport. San Diego, Encinitas, Oceanside, Carlsbad, Newport Beach, Hermosa Beach, Malibu, Ventura, Carpinteria, Santa Barbara, Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz are a few of those places. In Huntington Beach, surf culture is really a part of every day life for many who surf. They may walk past the statues and tributes without ever thinking about them.
As children, they may take a surf lesson from a parent or go to surf camp as young as age 4 or 5. As they grow in the educational system, they can compete in school surfing teams under the direction of world class surfers who have children of their own or simply want to share the techniques and traditions as coaches. Like soccer, baseball, basketball and other sports, there are competitions with the top surfers moving faster in the ranks till they qualify for the bigger contests.
In Huntington Beach you'll surfboards out the back of cars, on racks, on bikes, in arms and just about everyplace you go. Barefoot and wet, you'll see girls and guys, women and men walking along in wetsuits carrying boards in hand.
But for those who do notice this phenomenon and who marvel at the culture, history, legends of the sport and the surfers today who are out on the ocean riding the waves, here's a map to guide you through an easy 1-hour tour of surfing. You can begin by visiting a Surfing Museum. It's the only International Surfing Museum, they say. Next, look at and photograph several statues created by a famous surfer and sculptor, Edmond Shumpert. Then place your feet and hands in the etched cement shapes made by legendary surfers honored at the Surfers' Hall of Fame. Finally walk out to the Huntington Beach Pier for a bird's eye view of surfers who carve their paths through the waves.
Seeing expert surfers in Huntington Beach is an amazing experience. They can take a small wave and turn the ride into an amazing ballet or water dance, so it appears. You need to relax and wait patiently as they wait on their surfboards below for the waves to come. After you've completed this journey, you may find the excursion compelling and decide to try surfing. There are many surf rentals and surf lessons available with little or no pre-arrangement during regular daylight hours. For surf lessons, surf rentals and surfing culture, visit our surfing pages. See print version of this web page.
Bob "The Greek" Bolen is simply awesome. He surfs, he invents products and sells Real Estate as a broker with an office of approximately 15 agents at Huntington Beach Realty in the heart of downtown Huntington Beach. Bolen is an example of Huntington Beach's awesome creative talent and professionalism personified in local shops and businesses in downtown Huntington Beach.
Bob Bolen's Surf Museum was placed as a stop on our Surf Walking Tour map because his shop provides insight into the cultural and business aspects of surfing and surfers. If Bolen is around when you visit, say hello and ask him about his surfing. He is very friendly and usually will take a few minutes to answer your questions.
Look for the building that says "Huntington Beach Realty," to get a free tide table book and take a look at Bolen's Surfing Museum. Creator of Greek Surfboards that many surfers have enjoyed, Bolen also invented the turbofin for surfboards several years ago. He sells them in the museum/office. Included in this museum are collector surfboards, photographs, posters and signage. Tell the office staff or Bolen that you came to look at the shop. They routinely see guests come to view the collection of surfing memorabilia. If you need advice on buying, renting or selling homes in the region, you can get help with that while visiting.
The origin of Bob Bolen's moniker, The Greek, is reported to come from his grandparents from Kalamata, Greece. Bolen grew up in Southern California's ever so cool OC, graduating from Bolsa Grande High in Garden Grove. The Greek began surfing in 1958 and made surfboards out of his passion for surfing.
Bolen learned to surf at Doheny and Huntington Beaches but developed a passion for surfing at Dana Point. While surfing with the likes of Dick Dale and Mickey Munoz, he began building one of the leading companies, Surfboards by The Greek. He opened a shop in Huntington Beach in 1960 and operated the business for 20 years until 1980.
Always fascinated with the dynamics of the fin and its relationship to the surfboard, he created, designed and patented the TURBO TUNNEL™ fin. Professional surfer Lance Ho'okano depends on his surfboard's patented "Turbo Tunnel" fin that adds a little whip on his turning and helps to stable out the board in the water to win the edge in competitions. Bolen himself is a fantastic surfer, usually placing in surf competitions and traveling around the globe to surf when time permits.
Throughout the years, Bolen has been guided operated with a set of rules that include giving back to the community. Sponsoring Herbie Fletcher and Tiger Espere on boards such as the Eliminator, The Maui Model, the Liquidator and the Pickle, Bob Bolen has continued a tradition and love of the sport of surfing with many contributions through coaching, sponsorships and inventions.
Likewise, his concern for the environment has involved him in many situations as advocate for intelligent growth. Issues such as parking, building development and the health of the downtown Huntington Beach business district have landed him in City Council meetings and on the Board for a Downtown Business Improvement District formed in 2004 in Huntington Beach.
Bob "The Greek" Bolen's Surfboard Museum & Huntington Beach Realty is located not far from another creative surfer who built a business around their passion at Rockin Fig Surf Headquarters
