California Adopts Hawaii's State Sport, Ignores It's Own

Earlier this year, Hermosa Beach Patch staff writer Hoa Quách posted an article titled "CA Lawmakers Seek To Declare Surfing A State Sport" after state lawmakers from a group unofficially known as The Assembly "Surf Caucus" authored Assembly Bill 1782.

On August 20th, Governor Brown (a.k.a Moonbeam) signed the bill into law officially making Hawaii's indigenous sport California's state sport.

In a nod to the origin of surfing, the bill reads; "It is important to recognize that surfing traces its origins to the Polynesian people and was imported into California from indigenous Hawaii. Since its arrival in California, surfing has been embraced by the state and many Californians have made important contributions to the sport as we know it today."

Talk about your missed opportunity!

Why would lawmakers import another state's sport when California already has an amazing sport - which was born from surfing - and is exported to the entire world? Skateboarding!

Born in the late 1940s or early 1950 and originally called sidewalk surfing, skateboarding is an action sport, a recreational activity, an art form, a job in the entertainment industry, and an eco-friendly method of transportation in original California stylin'.

Oh well, good thing Imperial Beach has both, great surfing with excellent waves, as well as great skating with smooth roads, alleys, and a skate park thanks to local advocates like Tim O'Neal, and city lawmakers - especially Mayor Dedina (avid surfer) - for making good decisions to fight for clean water, pave the alleys, and represent the will of the people rather than special interests or the status quo.

So, how should IB capitalize on being such a great venue for the new state sport?

Check out these great local videos, and let us know your thoughts on Facebook or in the comments below:

• Surfing Imperial Beach,
• Pro skating in IB
• Tillman the Skateboarding and Surfing BullDog

Article Photo Credit: Ho Stevie! - YouTube