Virginia Beach International Surf Museum

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Virginia Beach International Surf Museum

How to help:
Before any physical structure is built, and before any exhibits or memorabilia are curated, there’s a LOT of work to be done.

The purpose of The Virginia Beach International Surf Museum Foundation is to establish a physical presence in The City of Virginia Beach, where the history and artifacts of surfing locally and internationally can be preserved, displayed and shared. Our Mission: Shed light on the unique and empowering history of Virginia Beach and International surfing, educating everyone in the lifestyle of surfin

g and other water sports to experience it's fun and health benefits, and how important it is to protect and preserve all beaches, bays, and waterways locally as well as Internationally. Governance:
Currently, the VBISMF is being organized by a volunteer Board of Directors which has
begun to lay the foundation for an important historic institution that will become a
valuable resource for future generations East Coast surfing enthusiasts and the
international surfing community and eventually as source of pride for Virginia Beach. The Board consists of concerned citizens; local surfing legends, surf industry
businesspersons; oceanfront merchants and restaurateurs; resort tourism and
hospitality related leaders; and representatives of other surfing, conservation and
historic preservation organizations. And that will be done primarily by VOLUNTEERS. We need help recruiting others to the cause; to be advocates of the VBISMF to civic leaders and municipal officials; to raise grassroots awareness and support among the surfing communities of Southeast Virginia and the East Coast; and to work occasionally at public events such as surfing contests, oceanfront concerts or festivals, fundraisers or community forums.
 Get informed. If you’d like to find out more, or are interested in staying informed about this important project, sign up for our newsletter, here.
 Volunteer. If you’d like to get involved, send us an email at: [email protected]
 Be social. Visit and join our page – and share with your friends!
 Support. You can make a donation to the foundation, OR pre-register for personalizedVirginia license plate by applying online, here.

04/03/2026

Remembering Pete Smith last weekend.

08/19/2025

The hurricane offshore promises larger-than-usual waves this year at CE-ECSC.

Barton, whose 2024 victory put him beside Michael Dunphy (2014) and Wes Laine (1980-81) as local winners, will be joined by fellow locals in Cose Stoyanoff on the men’s side and Story Martinez and …

08/06/2025

It's August, which means high surf season in VAB. This year, ECSC has new company in town! It will be interesting to see how manmade waves will go over with organic surfers. (as always, a great article by Stacy)

The project is thrusting Virginia Beach into the limelight as a case study of a new trend: surf parks anchoring mixed-use projects where people live, work and play. To that end, the city will host …

01/23/2025

Randy ‘Crawdaddy’ Miod, a Malibu Surfing Legend, Dies in LA Fire at 55 -- When the fires hit, he was determined to stay behind to protect his house, his cat and the life he loved.

When the fires hit, he was determined to stay behind to protect his house, his cat and the life he loved.

12/20/2024

Obituary for Don Fentress

View Donald I. Fentress's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

12/17/2024

Today we share some sad news about the passing of Don Fentress, a lifelong Va. Beach resident and successful local businessman. Don's connection to surfing came during the early 1960s as a member of the Virginia Beach Jaycees. The Jaycees worked with the founding fathers of Va. Beach surfing to create a special event that raised money for Jaycee projects while it supported the city's burgeoning surfing scene and community of surfers. That project began 62 years ago as the "Virginia Beach Surfing Carnival" and later became known as the East Coast Surfing Championships or "ECSC". Don was the very first ECSC project chairman and was later inducted as part of the first class of ECSC Legends. Up until just recently, Don looked forward to attending the event each August.

Such news is especially difficult coming so close to Christmas so please keep his family and loved ones in your thoughts during this holiday season.

Rest in peace, Don.
(L-R - First ECSC Legends Class - Pete Smith, Bill Frierson, George Desgain, Bob Holland, Sr., Don Fentress)
(ECSC 1 License plate presented during the 30th ECSC (1992). L to R: Web Brown, Don Fentress, George Desgain)

11/19/2024

VBISM supporters: Make your opinions heard!

We want to hear your voice! Share your vision of the future Rudee Park for the City of Virginia Beach. From Dec. 9-11 we will be hosting public engagement events for envisioning Rudee Park. These events are a great opportunity to learn about the project, voice your opinion, and hear from others in your community. Sign up for email updates to be notified of the next event at VirginiaBeach.gov/RudeePark.

05/16/2024

A great article all about Va. Beach Surfing. Thanks, Coastal VA Magazine for the pre-season love.

Want to stay forever young? Try surfing, says Virginia Beach’s own Jason Borte, East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame inductee, author and teacher. By Jason Borte ...

Address

1113 Atlantic Avenue
Virginia Beach, VA
23451

Website

https://vbismuseum.com/

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