Who was the first surfer to come to OC?

The first documented surfer in Orange County, California, was George Freeth, often considered the “Father of Modern Surfing.” Freeth introduced surfing to Southern California in 1907 when he performed demonstrations in Redondo Beach to promote the opening of the Los Angeles-Redondo railway. He was invited to the mainland from Hawaii by railroad magnate Henry Huntington to showcase his surfing and lifeguarding skills as a way to draw tourists.

While Freeth’s demonstrations were primarily in Los Angeles County, his influence quickly spread to nearby areas, including Orange County. By the 1920s and 1930s, surfing began to take hold in places like Huntington Beach, known today as “Surf City, USA.” Huntington Beach became a popular spot for surfers, thanks to its consistent waves and growing beach culture. Early surfers were often locals who crafted their own wooden boards, inspired by the Hawaiian surfing traditions Freeth had brought to the mainland.

Orange County’s reputation as a surfing hub truly solidified in the post-World War II era, as lighter and more maneuverable surfboards were developed. The sport grew rapidly in popularity, turning spots like Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, and San Clemente into iconic surf destinations.