Windansea, California

Windansea encompasses a stretch of historic coastline located in La Jolla, California, named after an oceanfront hotel that burned down in the late 1940s. Geographically, it is defined by the stretch of beach north of Palomar Avenue (Big Rock) and south of Westbourne Street (Simmons). Historically, it is defined by some of the most progressive and colorful characters in California surfing history.

The main peak at Windansea is a classic reef break and has been famous among surfers for its reliable waves and consistantly good form. Other breaks in the area include Middles, Turtles, and Simmons, named after the late Bob Simmons, who lost his life there in 1954.

The focal point at Windansea is a simple shack, located beneath the narrow parking lot, just in front of the main peak. It was originally constructed in the mid 1940s by original locals Woody Eckstrom and Don Okey. The site gained notariety for its annual summer luaus before police cracked down on the out-of-control event in the late 1950s.

Windansea has served as home break at one time or another to many notable surfers, including Pat Curren, Mike Diffenderfer and Butch Van Artsdalen. As far as its impact on surf culture and the development of the sport, it ranks at the top of the list along with Malibu, San Onofre, and Huntington Beach. The famous Windansea Surf Club featured a veritable who's who of hot young surfers in the golden age of the sport in the early 1960s, with members such as Mike Hynson, Skip Frye, Mike Purpose and Rusty Miller. Other notable surfers who cut their teeth at Windansea include the late Chris O'Rourke, Andy Tyler, Brew Briggs, Miko Fleming, and Peter King.

Literary note

The title article in Tom Wolfe's book of essays, The Pump House Gang, is about a group of surfers from Windansea Beach who "attended the Watts riots as if it were the Rose Bowl game in Pasadena." (see [1] for an excerpt)