UCSB Library's Surf Industry & Culture Initiative
Preserving the history of surfing in Santa Barbara and the Central Coast
UCSB Library Special Research Collections is riding a new wave, partnering with local surfers, shapers, filmmakers, clubs, and organizations to collect, preserve, and share the vibrant history of our surf industry and culture.
Through this work, we aim to make UCSB Library the premier destination for Santa Barbara and Central Coast surf history, creating a world-class archive where the stories, creativity, and culture of surfing are preserved and accessible to educators, researchers, and enthusiasts.
Why It Matters
Surfing in Santa Barbara is more than recreation, it is an industry, a lifestyle, and a vital part of the region’s history. Preserving these materials ensures that future generations can understand the cultural, economic, and creative impact of surfing on our community.
Collecting Priorities
Personal Papers
Scrapbooks, photos, correspondence, journals
Business Records
Surfboard shapers, surf shops, equipment makers
Surf Media
Home movies, production records, handbills, flyers
Have surf-related materials to share? Please contact:
Laura Jean Treat Liebhaber
ljtreat@ucsb.edu
805-893-3454
