The Culture of Surfing in Costa Mesa
With a close proximity to the to the Pacific Ocean, the Southern California surf culture plays a big role in Costa Mesa. The beach is easily accessible by a short drive or bike ride, and many surfers live in Costa Mesa. The surf industry influence is evident by major brands like Hurley, Volcom and RVCA that are headquartered in Costa Mesa, and the multitude of surf shops located in the city.
Hurley was established in Costa Mesa in 1979 as a surfboard shaper. In 1982, Hurley began a partnership with Australian-based clothing company Billabong to create Billabong USA. The Hurley brand was an immediate success and has been an industry leader ever since, all while operating out of its hometown of Costa Mesa, and since 2002 is owned by Nike, Inc.
Volcom was born from an initial idea between two friends and a $5,000 loan in 1991. Over twenty years later, Volcom has grown into one of the most recognizable brands in the surf industry. Volcom is now a global brand with influence that stretches beyond surfing to the skate, snow, motocross and music industries. Volcom sponsors a skate park in TeWinkle Park.
RVCA blends the boundaries between art and apparel and meshes with the action sports lifestyle. RVCA brings like minded individuals from the subcultures of art, music and alternative sports together to collaborate for the progression of the brand and is headquartered in Costa Mesa.
Many leading surfboard shapers make their home base on the west side of Costa Mesa, further cementing its place as a leader in the surf industry. The amount of quality surfboard shapers in Costa Mesa inspired Surfline.com to create an online feature highlighting the best surfboard shapers in Costa Mesa.
Orange County as a whole has always been a major part of surfing. Neighboring Huntington Beach, known as Surf City USA, boasts one of the most well-known beaches in the world. With a surfing walk of fame, surfing history museum and countless surf-shops, Huntington Beach certainly lives up to its name. The annual US Open of Surfing takes place each summer at the Huntington Beach pier and draws thousands of people. Newport Beach and Trestles Beach in San Clemente also host annual events where the top surfers in the world compete.
Costa Mesa is within a couple of miles of some great breaks. With surfable waves year-round, there are almost always surfers out in the waters of nearby Huntington Beach catching waves while spectators line the pier to get a bird’s-eye view. Newport Beach is also a hotspot for surfing talent, especially the 56th Street jetty. At one time, the stretch of beach between 54th Street and 56th Street was nicknamed the “hottest 100 yards” for the quality of the wave and skilled surfers who made Newport Beach famous.
A stay in Costa Mesa will get you just minutes from some of the best spots to surf in Orange County!
