The Encyclopedia of Surfing

by Matt Warshaw

What's that sound coming from the beach? That's the rustle of pages turning, as would-be immortals look themselves up in The Encyclopedia of Surfing , surfing's first comprehensive reference book. The Encyclopedia of Surfing chronicles nearly every bit of wave-riding--its history, places, mythology, champions, tragedies, in-jokes, and minutiae. Author Matt Warshaw, former editor of Surfer magazine, and his fellow researchers took three years to put together this prodigious tome. The most surprising thing about the book is its terrific readability. Though the 1,500 entries are organized in typical encyclopedic style, one after the other alphabetically, none of them--not a single one --is completely boring. Not even the one on the technicalities of fin placement. In fact, the book is a trap, leading unsuspecting readers on a wandering journey from pioneer surfer Duke Kahanamoku to the development of hollow boards to the lifeguards who used them to lifeguard Eddie Aikau to his home in Waimea Bay to.... Suddenly, hours have gone by and there's still the huge entry on Gidget to read. Illustrated like a dictionary, this book has only one or two small black-and-white photos every couple of pages. A history of surfing introduces the entries; at the end, a bibliography, round-up of surf contest results, and lists of movies, magazines, and music provide the big finish. Though Warshaw's first three books ( SurfRiders , Above the Roar , and Maverick's ) were entertaining looks at surfers and surfing, this one makes him the official Kahuna of surf lore. Surfing is a multi-billion-dollar industry, flinging hordes of people and buckets of money into the waves each year. The Encyclopedia of Surfing is its new bible. --Therese Littleton

Genres: Sports, Nonfiction

774 pages, Hardcover

First published October 6, 2003

About the author

Matt Warshaw is a former professional surfer, former writer and editor at Surfer magazine (1984-1990), and the author of dozens of feature articles and large-format books on surfing culture and history.
Warshaw currently curates the online Encyclopedia of Surfing and History of Surfing, each website based on expanded material from the archives assembled for their print companions. He has 1 child.

Reviews

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

My dream job would be to help Matt Warshaw update this book.

[Joanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is great. I first saw this one at my boyfriend's house. I used to read it before bed when he'd fall asleep before me. I dreamt about the most beautiful turquoise waves!

[BarbaraW · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book from the male side of surfing. Not much on females who excel in this sport. Plus I was hoping for a more thorough analysis of how waves form and what surfers look for out there. Not enough pictures. What is inside is very interesting and well written.

[Jon-michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

[Slash Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

5+ stars for its comfort food value like eating bowl of Mac n cheese, but the content gets 2+ stars because it's in need of an editor and a couple dozen interns to keep it up to date.