Encyclopedia of Surfing

The Encyclopedia of Surfing is a nonprofit organization dedicated to researching, archiving, and presenting surf history and culture. It was established as a California-registered 501(c)3[4]. The organization is committed to preserving and celebrating surfing's rich historical and cultural heritage.

History

The Encyclopedia of Surfing was initially recognized through its book version, published in 2003 by Matt Warshaw, who is now the Executive Director of the organization[1]. Following its registration as a nonprofit, the Encyclopedia of Surfing launched its website in 2013, which serves as a comprehensive online archive of surf history and culture[1].

Mission

The main objective of the Encyclopedia of Surfing is to gather, digitize, keyword, and archive surf media in all forms, including books, magazines, films, and videos. This effort is supported solely by donors and subscribers, allowing the organization to remain ad-free[1]. The website provides access to a wide range of surf-related content, including legendary surf breaks, techniques, gear, and stories from surf culture[2].

Leadership and Staff

• Matt Warshaw serves as the Executive Director. A former editor of SURFER Magazine and renowned surfing scholar, Warshaw has written several books on surfing and has been published in major publications like the New York Times and Wall Street Journal[1].
• Patti Paniccia, a co-founder of the world professional surfing tour in the 1970s, acts as a board member alongside her roles as a lawyer and journalist[1].
• Other key members include Kevin Miller as Treasurer, Steve Cummings as Secretary, and Justin Housman as part of the board[1].

Activities and Resources

The organization publishes a weekly newsletter called The Sunday Joint, which keeps subscribers updated on recent activities and additions to the archive[1]. The website offers a rich collection of interviews, contest results, video edits, and surf commentary across various periods in surfing history[1].