Topanga Bombers surf club shirt, 1/2
Title
Topanga Bombers surf club shirt, 1/2
Description
The Topanga Bombers Surf Club formed at Topanga Beach in the winter of 1962-63. That summer, they threw a fundraising party to raise money for their club shirts. The Bombers were active until a big marijuana bust, around 1966.
David H. Stern and Bill Cleary wrote the "Surfing Guide to Southern California" (The Fitzpatrick Company, 1963) at Topanga Beach.
Both the T-shirt and the book are now in the Smithsonian Institution's Museum of American History as an example of surf culture in Southern California.
Jim Fitzpatrick: "The Saenz family's arrival in 1962 changed the social scene of Topanga Beach. Emerging from Santa Monica and West Los Angeles, their nine children made the Topanga Bombers a cultural experience that reached well beyond the beach. Aside from the Saenzes, there was actually only one Topanga Beach resident who was a Bomber. There were no rules, but meetings did take place. There was a leader who was unquestioned, although in his absence others would make decisions if necessary. Though the beach was central to the Bombers' activities, there were Bombers who didn't surf. Many played football for Santa Monica High School or St. Monica's High School. They led a life of borderline behavior mixed with great parties, beautiful girls, and daring adventures. Trespassers arriving at Topanga Beach often discovered their vehicles had been ransacked while they surfed. Bombers knew who was in their club, but others generally didn't."
David H. Stern and Bill Cleary wrote the "Surfing Guide to Southern California" (The Fitzpatrick Company, 1963) at Topanga Beach.
Both the T-shirt and the book are now in the Smithsonian Institution's Museum of American History as an example of surf culture in Southern California.
Jim Fitzpatrick: "The Saenz family's arrival in 1962 changed the social scene of Topanga Beach. Emerging from Santa Monica and West Los Angeles, their nine children made the Topanga Bombers a cultural experience that reached well beyond the beach. Aside from the Saenzes, there was actually only one Topanga Beach resident who was a Bomber. There were no rules, but meetings did take place. There was a leader who was unquestioned, although in his absence others would make decisions if necessary. Though the beach was central to the Bombers' activities, there were Bombers who didn't surf. Many played football for Santa Monica High School or St. Monica's High School. They led a life of borderline behavior mixed with great parties, beautiful girls, and daring adventures. Trespassers arriving at Topanga Beach often discovered their vehicles had been ransacked while they surfed. Bombers knew who was in their club, but others generally didn't."
Date
1963
Source
Digital only
Rights
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Contributor
Jim Fitzpatrick