Senate Concurrent Resolution
No. 122
CHAPTER 68
Relative to California Surfing Day.
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Filed with
Secretary of State
May 21, 2018.
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LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SCR 122, Nguyen.
California Surfing Day.
This measure would recognize September 20, 2018, and every year on that date thereafter, as California Surfing Day to celebrate the California surfing lifestyle, would commend all those who honor the history, culture, and future of surfing, as well as the sport of surfing and the protection of our beach and ocean environments, would express support for future surfers and encourage potential surfing Olympians to work diligently, and would encourage all Californians to enjoy California Surfing Day.
Digest Key
Fiscal Committee:
NO WHEREAS, California Surfing Day, which will be observed first on September 20, 2018, and annually on that day thereafter, was adopted by surfers of all ages in the City of Huntington Beach to unify surfers throughout the State of California and from around the world to celebrate one very special day where we collectively honor the California surfing lifestyle; and
WHEREAS, For the first time in history, surfing will mark its Olympic sport debut at the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, representing a chance to encourage ocean awareness in support of our future young surfers; and
WHEREAS, This special day will bring together thousands of ocean and beach lovers, surfers, and millions of visitors who travel to California to experience the positive vibes of surfing, the innovation, the culture, and all the fun that comes along with the sport; and
WHEREAS, California’s coastline spans 1,100 miles and its beaches and coastal areas generate $1.15 trillion in economic activity annually; and
WHEREAS, The United States boasts approximately 3.3 million surfers who spend between $1.9 and $3.3 billion each year on local surf trips. The surfing industry, almost exclusively based in California, generates over $6 billion in United States annual retail sales; and
WHEREAS, California has the largest ocean economy in the United States, ranking number one for both employment and jobs and gross state product at approximately $41.9 billion; and
WHEREAS, California is home to iconic surf breaks, such as Huntington Beach, Malibu, Trestles, Mavericks, and Rincon, which are destinations for both domestic and international surfers; and
WHEREAS, The City of Huntington Beach, also known as Surf City USA, is the holder of three surfing Guinness World Records: for the largest surfing paddle out in “The Surfing Circle of Honor, Celebrating Surfing in the Summer Games” on International Surfing Day 2017, for the largest surfboard and for the most people riding a surfboard at the same time on International Surfing Day 2015; and
WHEREAS, The cultural significance of surfing to California’s identity is embodied in the multiple nonprofits and educational centers devoted to the sport, including the International Surfing Museum nestled in Huntington Beach, the Surfing Heritage and Culture Center in San Clemente, the California Surf Museum in Oceanside, and the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum; and
WHEREAS, Every year, California beaches host numerous domestic and internationally recognized surfing events and tournaments, including the National Scholastic Surfing Association (NSSA) Championships, the Vans US Open of Surfing, The Surfers’ Hall of Fame, Surfing Walk of Fame, and International Surfboard Builders Hall of Fame in Huntington Beach, and the International Surf Festival in the Cities of Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, and Torrance; and
WHEREAS, International Surfing Day was established in 2004 and has grown to over 200 separate events in over 30 different countries and continues to unite surfers around the world to celebrate the sport of surfing while raising awareness and showing appreciation for our coastal environment; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby recognizes September 20, 2018, and that date annually thereafter, as California Surfing Day, celebrating the California surfing lifestyle, and commends all those who honor the history, culture, and future of surfing, the great sport of surfing, and the protection of our beach and ocean environments, while supporting and educating our future surfers, encourages our potential surfing Olympians to work diligently, and encourages all Californians to enjoy California Surfing Day; and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.