Explore Hermosa Beach’s Surf Culture and Heritage

By Jason Rochlin, Redondo Beach Resident and Volunteer Writer

With contributions by Michelle Crispin & SJ Bacallao

When you think of Hermosa Beach, images of sun-kissed waves and vibrant beach life instantly come to mind. Cradled in the South Bay of Los Angeles, Hermosa has always been a paradise for surfers, with a rich history of surf culture. While companies like Northrop Grumman may have built the backbone of the region’s economy, Hermosa Beach carved out its identity through music and surfing.

For anyone who loves surfing or is curious about the deep roots of surf culture, Hermosa Beach offers a unique experience. Tom Horton, a third-generation resident of the city, feels strongly about preserving this culture for future generations. In 2009, he co-founded the South Bay Boardriders Club (SBBC) to keep that history alive and introduce newcomers to ocean activities like canoe paddling and deep-sea fishing. Today, as president of the SBBC, Horton’s passion for the community shines through. He fondly remembers riding his Schwinn Sting Ray to local surf shops as a child, where he could touch surfboards and take in the scent of resin, marking the beginning of his lifelong connection to the ocean.

Hermosa Beach has long been a hub for surfboard shaping. At one point, the city was said to have more shaping shops than any other place in the world! Jamie Erickson, director and curator of the Hermosa Beach Museum, highlights this as one of the most unique aspects of the city’s history. Even if you’re not a surfer, it’s easy to appreciate the craftsmanship of beautifully shaped boards, a high art form in itself. Legendary shapers like Dave Velzy, Bing Copeland, Greg Noll, and Phil Becker all called Hermosa Beach home, and their influence still echoes in the local surf scene today.

One of the modern-day torchbearers of this tradition is Dennis Jarvis, owner of Spyder Surfboards. His shop, founded in 1997, is considered the last “real” surf shop in the South Bay. Jarvis started surfing as an escape from a challenging childhood, finding solace in the waves at Hermosa Pier. His journey led him to a pro surfing career and eventually to shaping boards, which he now does with unmatched precision. His shop, Spyder Surfboards, is more than a retail space – it’s a community hub, sponsoring local surf teams and contributing to events like the South Bay Surf Awards and the annual International Surf Festival, hosted by Hermosa Beach.

A great way to immerse yourself in Hermosa’s surf culture is by visiting the Surfer’s Walk of Fame located on the Hermosa Beach Pier. Since 2003, the city has honored surf legends with bronze plaques embedded into the pier, celebrating the local surfers, shapers, and pioneers who have contributed to the sport’s development both in the South Bay and around the world. As you stroll down the pier, you’ll find names like Dewey Weber, Hap Jacobs, Greg Noll, and many others who have left an indelible mark on surf history. This homage to the city’s surfing greats is a reminder of the deep cultural connection Hermosa Beach shares with the ocean.

Hermosa Beach is more than just a “surfing city” – it’s a place where surf legends were born and where the waves still call to those seeking freedom and adventure. So, pack your board (or buy one at Spyder Surf Shop!) and head to Hermosa Beach, where the surf, the sun, and the spirit of the ocean are waiting to welcome you.■