Museum is tribute to Texas surfers

Texas’ only museum dedicated to the sport of surfing stands at 309 N. Water St., next-door to the Executive Surf Club eatery, in downtown Corpus Christi.

The museum explores surfing’s general history and showcases the Lone Star State’s unique place in that history. The facility contains hundreds of photos and artifacts that tell the story of how surfing came to Texas more than 70 years ago and eventually flourished. An estimated 20,000 surfers now inhabit Texas.

The surf museum exhibits classic boards dating from the early 1940s, plus modern models. The museum also contains scores of other pieces of surf memorabilia, much of it rare, including original surf movie posters, surf art, and collectible surf music albums. A mock garage shop, complete with the tools used for making surfboards, stands along one wall of the museum; and so does a small theater where free surf movies are shown every day.

Admission, like the waves, is free, but the surf museum appreciates donations.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. After Labor Day, hours will change only slightly, with closing time on Fridays and Saturdays changing to 9 p.m.

The phone number is (361) 882-2364, the same as for the attached Surf Club Records shop. On the Web: www.texassurfmuseum.com.