Orange County's Endless Summer Defined a Generation and a Destination

Southern California usually conjures up thoughts of surfing and shimmering beach sunsets. If you throw some “surf music” into the mix, the same can be said of the movie “The Endless Summer.” Orange County was the nexus of what became the surf movement to the rest of the world. The film and the culture were anchored by a handful of iconic figures who all started their careers in Orange County during the late 50s and 60s.

Legends like "The Endless Summer," star Robert August, Corky Carroll, the first paid surfer, "The Endless Summer" movie poster artist John Van Hamersveld and “King of the Surf Guitar,” Dick Dale. These legends were all in on the ground floor of the surf culture movement and their talent and works gave rise to a multitude of surf-related industries and inspired many of today's generation of surfers, artists, musicians and entrepreneurs.

Orange County is all about endless summers. While other parts of the country are experiencing Fall, Winter and Spring, board shorts and flip flops are always in season.

With an enviable year-round climate and surf cool vibe, the thought of summer never truly ends in Orange County. We invite you to discover how OC's endless summers defined a generation and shaped a destination.

It can be said that Dick Dale launched his legendary career at OC's Rendezvous Ballroom. Though the 'vous is gone, Dale's musical genius and influence can be heard in today's recordings. The "King of the Surf Guitar," along with another local 'boy' Leo Fender, ushered in a new musical era. Hear Dale talk about how his sound set the tone during the emerging wave of the Endless Summer surf movement.

"They say Les Paul invented the guitar and Dick Dale put the electricity in the guitar. I’m responsible for the evolution of electronics for musical instruments."
- Dick Dale

There was "The Endless Summer" movie and then there was "that" poster. With it's saturated colors and sunset depiction, the movie poster for the iconic surfing film captured the essence of Orange County cool and the mystique of the surfing culture. Listen to Hamersveld discuss how "The Endless Summer" movie poster image became synonymous with the essence of the Southern California surfing culture.

"As a student I felt that I could almost make a postage stamp for it, something that would always be remembered, a collective consciousness, a collage, a modernist deity."
- John Van Hamersveld

Robert August has surfed his entire life. His skills caught the attention of filmmaker Bruce Brown and along with Mike Hynson, August circumvented the globe in search of the perfect wave while starring in "The Endless Summer." That legendary film changed August's life. He remains an OC fixture, calling Huntington Beach, Surf City USA®, home. Hear August examine the film and sport that started it all.

"I get comments like 'well, you people (in SoCal) don't really have the seasons,' and I go 'you're right, we pretty much don't.' It's always nice. And if that bores you, then I'm sorry, but I enjoy it."
- Robert August

It can be argued that Corky Carroll is surfing's original wild child. The offbeat, and often vocal Carroll was on the surf scene winning surfing contests and titles before, during and after "The Endless Summer" film debuted. Ever the surfing ambassador, Carroll writes a surf column in the local newspaper, The OC Register.

"Orange County is full of surf. (OC) is the cultural center of the surf world and Huntington Beach is like the heartbeat. If you want to know what's going to happen three years from now, hang out here."
- Corky Carroll

Curious about how it all went down? This "Endless Summer" timeline points out pivotal dates in the lives and careers of these influential legends.

Just how many surf-related companies are in Orange County? Look at the surfing giants that make Orange County the capital of the surf industry.