Who will help Huntington Beach surfing museum survive and thrive?
Natalie Kotsch had a vision: to make the Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum a world-class destination for people looking to soak in the area’s rich surf culture.
But how to create such a place has long been debated. And now the city is looking for the next keepers and curators of the iconic Surf City museum, with a public bid planned for early next year.
Formal talks have been underway since 2018 about the museum potentially partnering with the Surfing Heritage and Culture Center in San Clemente, known as the “Smithsonian of Surf” for having the world’s largest collection of surf memorabilia.
But some Huntington Beach surfers scoff at the idea, arguing that the Huntington museum should stay under local management. Some opponents have lobbied the City Council for the past month, asking officials to open the management-agreement process to the public to generate alternative ideas.