From Long Beach to Lemoore, surfing could be California’s state sport

Surfing is only slightly higher than hacky sack on the list of stereotypical California sports.

So, it’s fitting (and kinda funny) that state Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi, D-Torrance, is seeking to declare surfing the state sport of California.

“Nothing represents the California Dream better than surfing – riding the waves and living in harmony with the beautiful beaches and ocean of our Golden State. Surfing in California has a rich history and culture,” says Muratsuchi in a statement announcing Assembly Bill 1782.

The bill would officially recognize surfing as the state sport – in the same way that the redwood is the state tree, the golden poppy is the state flower and denim is the state fabric. In September, California even went so far as to name a state dinosaur.

The bill is not without its merits. California is home to the Surfers’ Hall of Fame, the International Surfing Museum and the California Surf Museum. The surfing lifestyle generates more than $6 billion annually across the 1,100 miles of California coastline, according to Muratsuchi.

And the state is home to some famous surf spots – Malibu and Mavericks are mentioned in the bill.

We would add to that numerous spots on the Central Coast (Cal Poly just made Surfer Magazine’s list of best surfing colleges) and Surf Ranch in Lemoore. The latter is one of 11 destinations on the World Surf League’s 2018 Championship Tour, which kicks off in March in Queensland, Australia.

The bill is supported by Assembly Majority Leader Ian Calderon, D-Whittier.

This story was originally published January 18, 2018 at 2:58 PM with the headline "From Long Beach to Lemoore, surfing could be California’s state sport."