Santa Barbara Surfing History

[billie_morini]

The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum is a special place. It is located at113 Harbor Way STE 190, Santa Barbara, CA (https://sbmm.org/). One of my favorite exhibits features the experiences Richard Henry Dana recorded in his epic 1840 book, Two Years Before the Mast. Another one of my favorite exhibits chronicles the development of the diving helmet, for which, many advances were made in Santa Barbara.

In Fall 2021, a small, temporary show was staged to capture the history of surfing in Santa Barbara. Surfing buddies and professional colleagues, Jorge & billie, enjoyed this exhibit using free passes obtained by billie through a patron of the Getty Museum located in Los Angeles.

[billie_morini]

Exhibit specifically for everything-ocean and some things-aeronautical icon & genius, George Greenough.

[billie_morini]

Photo shows early surfers at Carpinteria Beach. Known by locals as "Carp," the break is a sandy beach break. The slogan for the state beach located here is "World's Safest Beach." I do not know why. However, there's a very neat natural feature here that interests me a great deal. he Carpinteria Tar Pits (also Carpinteria Oil Seeps) are found here. These pits are actually a series of natural, mostly solid (presently), asphalt lakes. These tar pits are 1 of 5 in the world and 1 of 3 of the 5 located in California. The indigenous people, The Chumash, built wood plank canoes at this location and used the asphalt to seal their boats.

[billie_morini]

Notable boards used by notable (local) surfers! Left to Right: Kim Mearig, Matt Moore, & Tom Curren

[billie_morini]

Some of "our" breaks along the pristine Gaviota Coast (that you hear so much about from me). The Channel Island located to the south, block a lot of the Pacific Ocean's summer surf. The 3 larger islands are so large, they once supported cattle and sheep ranches. The large island just left of center is Santa Rosa Island. It's where pigmy mammoth skeletons were discovered! (https://www.nps.gov/chis/learn/historyc ... ammoth.htm)

[billie_morini]

Kinda generic placard included in exhibit.

[billie_morini]

This well known, 1980's, female surfer became the coolest Mom ever! She'd send her kids to school and go surfing. She looks nearly as young today as in this photo. Anecdotal evidence that surfing keeps you young & pretty.

[billie_morini]

There was an inter-active display, too. Touching the screen initiated audio and video recordings. Was happy to see local bobby Martinez is included, too.

[billie_morini]

Here's an overview photo showing a portion of this small, but packed exhibit. This could well have been the second photo following the museum exterior, but, "Hey, what do you want for nothing?"

[billie_morini]

MUSEUM BONUS
The Fresnel lens from the Point of Conception lighthouse light. The lighthouse was constructed in 1835, the lighthouse is one of the earliest California lighthouses, Original light source was a combustion lamp fueled by sperm whale oil. Mineral oil replaced sperm oil in 1888. Electricity service was provided in 1948. The lens was removed from lighthouse and placed in museum by the US Coast Guard in 2012 and 2013. The museum held a special opening event. This lens weighs 6,000 lbs (2,700 kg)!

[billie_morini]

Lighthouse location. It was and remains remote. Early extent of civilization in this area was a train station and telegraph office located 1 mile (1.6 km) from the lighthouse. Access remains limited and the region is rugged and unspoiled.

[billie_morini]

Vacuum tube electric lights used in the Fresnel lens. Large bulb on left was used in 1960 to 1970. Smaller bulb on right was used in 1950's. Each of these bulbs are 1,000 watts and each generated 1.3 million candle power when magnified by the lens.

[BoMan]

The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum is a special place. It is located at113 Harbor Way STE 190, Santa Barbara, CA (https://sbmm.org/). One of my favorite exhibits features the experiences Richard Henry Dana recorded in his epic 1840 book, Two Years Before the Mast. Another one of my favorite exhibits chronicles the development of the diving helmet, for which, many advances were made in Santa Barbara.

In Fall 2021, a small, temporary show was staged to capture the history of surfing in Santa Barbara. Surfing buddies and professional colleagues, Jorge & billie, enjoyed this exhibit using free passes obtained by billie through a patron of the Getty Museum located in Los Angeles.

Thanks for the excellent post and photos! I walked by this with my family on our last visit and didn't go in. Shame on me.

[billie_morini]

https://youtu.be/3TyqtJx5eTY

Just discovered the museum made a video detailing the surfing history exhibit. If you wish to see & learn more (cool) information than was provided by me, then click the hyperlink above. The film is about 2 minutes and 20 seconds long.