6 vintage surfing photos
A visual reminder of what this beautiful sport is all about


Last week, surfers from all over the world descended upon Huntington Beach, Calif., for the U.S. Open of Surfing. Sadly, at the close of the festival, which has grown over the years to include skateboarding and massive street parties, "Surf City" descended into violent riots.
Surfing wasn't always about turf battles and machismo. Once upon a time, surfing was, well, pure, unadulterated fun. In honor of this beautiful sport that, when at its best, uniquely marries man and Mother Nature, here are 6 vintage photos of carefree surfers hitting the waves.
1931. (Fox Photos/Getty Images)
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
1933. (Bettmann/CORBIS)
1930. (Keystone/Getty Images)
1960. (Keystone/Getty Images)
1967. (H. Armstrong Roberts/ClassicStock/CORBIS)
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
1968. (PHOTO MEDIA/ClassicStock/CORBIS)
Lauren Hansen produces The Week’s podcasts and videos and edits the photo blog, Captured. She also manages the production of the magazine's iPad app. A graduate of Kenyon College and Northwestern University, she previously worked at the BBC and Frontline. She knows a thing or two about pretty pictures and cute puppies, both of which she tweets about @mylaurenhansen.
-
Today's political cartoons - March 22, 2025
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - silenced voices, DOGE backlash, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 crazed cartoons about March Madness
Cartoons Artists take on the education bracket, apolitical moments, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Elon Musk: has he made Tesla toxic?
Talking Point Musk's political antics have given him the 'reverse Midas touch' when it comes to his EV empire
By The Week UK Published