6 vintage surfing photos

last updated 8 January 2015

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.

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Lauren Hansen produces The Weekâ€™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.