"San Clemente may be the surf capital," says Jim Hogan, a world Champion longboard surfer. "but surfing is definitely the heart and soul of San Clemente". 

More than a dozen other local champion competitors and a host of surfing legends make Hogan's claim a convincing one. This is a city where hundreds of people make their living from wave riding activities and thousands more depend on them for daily use. Surfing is a thread woven deeply into the fabric of this city's life. 

With eleven thriving surf shops and over a dozen major surf industry manufacturers, San Clemente's surf business could be considered nothing short of robust. There is the Surfrider Foundation headquarters in the village, claiming 29 chapters nationwide and a membership of 25,000. Of the six surf schools and camps listed in Surfer and Surfing magazines, five are based in San Clemente. "Each year we train over 250 aspiring surfers from around the world at my surf camp alone", says Steve Speck, owner of Summer Fun Surf Camp. Don't forget the San Onofre Surf Club the oldest and largest in the world, boasting members like Los Angeles Times owner Otis Chandler. Add five of the world's most prestigious surf publications located in the area and the town takes on an international importance. 

Where San Clemente can really lay claim to fame, however, is with its surfers. In the last ten years San Clemente surfers have won championships in every competitive circuit and nearly every category in the United States. Our high school surf team won 5 out of 6 years in state championships, the best record ever compiled by any school. In the 17 years of high school competition they have won 9 state championships. In the longboard division (surfboards over 9 feet in length) nearly half the top ten competitors on the contest circuit hail from our town. San Clemente longboarders read like a Who's Who: Josh Baxter, Michael Gee, Jim Hogan, Jeff Kramer, Colin McPhillips, Geoff Moysa and Israel Paskowitz. Five of the six names in longboard surfing live in San Clemente. 

Professionally, San Clemente is just as impressive. San Clemente currently boasts more surfers among the professional rank than any other community. Shane Beschen is rated number eight in the world. Dino Andino, Jim Pinkerton and Mike Parsons have all won championship titles in various competition ratings over the years. Parsons is also one of a select group of world class big (20 + foot) riders. Tandem surfing is a real crowd pleaser and a highlight of the surfing competition at the San Clemente Ocean Festival. Colorful San Clementeans Bobby Freidman and Anna Shisler are at the vanguard of that sport, winning both the World Longboard Association and Professional Longboard Association contests. 

The best bodyboarders are in San Clemente, with champions Jay Reale, Pat Caldwell and Brian Wise who placed second in the U. S. Open. The hottest young athletes include Shane Beschen's brother Gavin, Chris Ward, Jason Starr, Tyler and Todd Morehead, Branden White and Devon Caros. A number of local females also continue to do well in competition, including Jayme Lee and Shelley Hayden. 

San Clemente's long surfing heritage, the large contingent of legendary surfers who serve as inspiration, and a wide variety of great waves has created this pool of talent. The waves are at the heart of this matter. San Clemente has been blessed with some of the most outstanding surfing beaches on the coast. Beach breaks from the "204" and the Pier, to T-Street, Riviera and State Park all produce quality waves on a consistent basis. 

Trestles, just south of Cotton's Point and the former Nixon Western White House, is world renowned and one of the finest point breaks anywhere. Nearby, "Old Man's Beach, just north of the San Onofre power plant, is a mecca to longboarders from around the world. Together these many surf spots provide a training ground for world-class surfers. 

Phil Hoffman, who took surf trips all over the world was an early pioneer in the 40's and 50's, and #1 surfer in the world in 1964. 

Marty Hoffman, his son, a competitor on the ASP World Surfing Circuit. 

Joyce Hoffman, Phil's daughter, a four time Women's World Champion 1964-65-66, and one of surfing's greats. 

Opai Wertz, a longtime San Onofre regular and local surf historian. 

Dale Velzy, considered to be the first man to put a logo on a surfboard and was shaping Balsa wood before foam boards were invented. also is credited with having the first surf team. 

Lorrin Whitey Harrison, the Legends of Legends surfed right up to the time he passed away. 

Herbie Fletcher, a surfer who has transcended longboards and short,old style and new. 

Shane Beschen #8 in the world, ASP World Tour of Surfing, 1996 

Rich Chew, #1 US Men's Champ, 1966 

Jim Hogan, #1 World Longboard Champ, 1995/96 

Dino Andino, #1 National Champ NSSA, 1985 

Mike Parsons, #1 Budweiser Professional Surfing Tour, 1992 

Jonathan Paskowitz, #1 Longboarding Champion Bud Pro Tour, 1986 

Chris Burke, #1 US Amateur Champ, 1983 

Bobby Friedman & Anna Shisler, #1 Tandem Champions, Professional Longboard Association, 1996 

Jim Pinkerton, #1 National Champ NSSA, 1986 

Brenden White, Men's State Longboarding Championships, 1996 

Shelli Hayden #1 Women's State Longboarding Championships, 1996 

Pat Caldwell, #1 Boggie Board National Champion 

San Clemente's & Local Surfing Industries: 

San Clemente has a multitude of industries catering to surfing: 

Duke Boyd, created the very idea of surf clothing, and published Surfing Illustrated, the first magazine. 

Steve Pezman, publisher of Surfer. 

Guy Motil, publisher of Longboard Magazine. 

Hobie Alter opened one of the first surfing shops-Dana Point 

Greg Arnet, a local surfer who started Arnet Sunglasses. 

Herbie Fletcher built Astrodeck into one of surfing's most well-known product. 

Rocky Sabo, owns Rockys Surf City. 

Steward Surfboards, a well-known surf shop, and is the largest longboard manufacturer in the world 

Surfing is indeed BIG Business in San Clemente! 

The above was reprinted with permission and edited from San Clemente Journal, April/May 1996. Edited by G. Wayne Eggleston, CPM, Executive Director, The Heritage of San Clemente & Visitor Center located at 415 N. El Camino Real. Hours are from 10 am to 8 pm Monday thru Saturday and 10 am to 6 pm Sundays. Telephone # 714-369-1299.