Stab Magazine | A Bunch Of California Suits Just Agreed Surfing Is Their Fav Sport

Live Now — Episode 3 Of Surf100 Challenge Series Presented By Pacifico

209 Views

A Bunch Of California Suits Just Agreed Surfing Is Their Fav Sport

I am Governor Jerry Brown, my aura smiles and never frowns…

news // Aug 22, 2018
Words by Stab
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Did you know that within California’s Government, walking its dusty, disgruntled halls, is surfing’s Unofficial Surf Caucus Assemblyman? 

His name is Ian Calderon (D-Whittier), and yesterday, after literally years of putting on a pressed blue two-piece or off-the-rack 3/2’s and rallying for a cause he’s partially dedicated his “civic” career fighting for*, Calderon’s dream came true.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/Vn4nGuWMfGs

Allow the LA Times to explain: “Let it be known that on Aug. 20, 2018, surfing became California’s official state sport.

Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation Monday that enshrines surfing in the state’s code. The bill notes that surfing quickly became a California icon after being imported from Hawaii. Malibu, Trestles, Mavericks, Rincon, Steamer Lane and Huntington are California’s world-famous surf breaks. The Surfers’ Hall of Fame is in Huntington Beach. And the neoprene wetsuit, surfers’ unofficial uniform, was invented in the Bay Area.”

https://www.youtube.com/embed/GoA_zY6tqQw

Many States forego declaring a State sport, because… Well, because it seems kind of pointless. And while the legislation does seem a little, um, kooky, it’s certainly a far cry from some other State’s official athletic pursuits. Kentucky plays tug-of-war. Alaskans mush, mush, mush their huskies, while Coloradans flock to pack mule races. And Floridians love their “Silver Spurs Rodeo.” 

Surfing has been Hawaii’s state sport since 1998. 

“Nothing represents the California Dream better than surfing,” said the bill’s co-author and “surfer since high school,” Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance). “I’m stoked that we’re celebrating an iconic sport.”

According to the Times, the legislation puts surfing among a number of other seemingly arbitrary things that the State of California have christened over the last few years. “Surfing has now joined a number of official state things that lawmakers have passed in recent years. Sometimes, like every other piece of legislation at the Capitol, they’re a result of lobbying efforts.

“Last year, a group of fourth-graders in Merced made a pitch for almonds to become the official state nut. However, nut industry lobbying added pecans, walnuts and pistachios to the effort before it became law. The quartet is now California’s official state nut, even though none of them are actually nuts and there are four of them.”

Welcome to California.

 *Calderon’s also pushed for a single-use plastic bag ban, and headed up the “Tech Caucus.”

Comments

Comments are a Stab Premium feature. Gotta join to talk shop.

Already a member? Sign In

Want to join? Sign Up

Advertisement

Most Recent

10 Shapers To Watch In The Next 10 Years — Part One

“It’s like a drug empire, man. Cut the head off the snakes, and more will…

Jul 7, 2025

Mason Ho Joins Ritual Vision, Releases Remix Of Greatest Hits

Dion Agius riffs on the eyewear brand’s U.S. expansion, Ritualistic Tendencies, and the new stars…

Jul 7, 2025

Is It Time For A New Judging Format?

We have a modest proposal — a WSL head judge disagrees.

Jul 7, 2025

Luke Thompson Turns Last Year’s Priority Disaster Into Ballito Gold

+ earns himself a wildcard into Jbay.

Jul 7, 2025

Fiji Has Its First Professional Surfer, And He’s Unbelievable

16-year-old James Kusitino’s incomprehensible tube lounging leads to a deal with Former.

Jul 6, 2025

Laird Hamilton on The Limitations of Being a Purist, Invention vs. Ownership + Why He Never Had a Sticker Deal 

Untold stories from his How Surfers Get Paid interview.

Jul 4, 2025

Surf100 Challenge Series Presented By Pacifico: Episode 3

"The tribe has spoken," Dane Reynolds pronounced, and a surfer's torch was snuffed.

Jul 3, 2025

When Surfer’s Eye Is Actually Cancer

Erin Campbell's brutal journey from surf camp dreams to chemo drops, cryotherapy, and surgical horror.

Jul 3, 2025

Surfing’s 2025 Q2 Report

An assessment of surfing's vital signs throughout the second quarter of 2025.

Jul 2, 2025

What Actually Happened to Occy’s Mad Max Plunger Pool In Yeppoon?

Surf Lakes’ brass talks: internet hecklers, the unplugging of the plunger, and the Tom Curren…

Jul 2, 2025

Poor Goofy Foots 

Data shows that the world is stacked against goofs — they even make 15% less money than…

Jul 1, 2025

Britain’s First Wavepool Has Closed — What Really Happened?

Bankruptcy, social media hackings, debts unpaid — and yet, reopening looms.

Jul 1, 2025

Watch: Was Matt Meola’s Air Actually Better Than Hughie’s?

Watch the full Swatch Nines highlight reel and decide.

Jun 30, 2025

Houshmand Bludgeons Field To Win Second CT — Molly Picklum Tastes Blood, Snatches World #1 In Brazil

You can't argue with big surfing — that's Saquarema wrapped.

Jun 29, 2025

37 Years Old And World #1 — What’s Changed For Jordy Smith?

On rediscovering decades old surfboard templates, having a personality on the CT, and why this…

Jun 27, 2025

Tom Lowe Stars in ‘Let Me Live’

The wild, improbable ascent of Britain’s best big-wave surfer.

Jun 27, 2025

Saq Wrap: Italo Celebrates Mid-Heat, Griff Drops A Freestyle, Jordy + Yago Continue BBQing 20-YOs

Top seeds sow ruin, Final 5 starts to crystallize.

Jun 27, 2025

Surf100 Challenge Series Presented By Pacifico: Episode 2

Our seven surviving surfers confront an oddly large California beach break.

Jun 26, 2025
Advertisement