Cocoa Beach Surf Museum
Introduction
Text-to-speech Audio
Founded in 1999 the Cocoa Beach Surf Museum was created to preserve the history of the sport of surfing. According to the website the mission of the Surf Museum is to preserve the unique history, traditions, and experiences of surfing on the East coast of the United States. In 2003 the Surf Museum merged with the East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame, changing the name to the East Coast Surf Museum, Inc. d/b/a The Cocoa Beach Surf Museum. The museum is located inside the Ron Jon Surf Shop water sports building.
Images
Cocoa Beach Surf Museum
Women of the Waves
1970s and 1980s Surf Boards
Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
Cocoa Beach, Florida native Sean O'Hare had a dream to one day open a museum to tell the story of the sport of surfing. This dream started to take shape when O'Hare worked at Ron Jon Surf Shop handing out free coke and painters caps to people who purchased items at the shop. This dream became a reality when O'Hare shared his vision with the local community and those involved in the sport of surfing. In 1999 the Cocoa Beach Surf Museum opened. Items in the initial collection was donated by surfing enthusiasts and included boxes of trophy's, magazines, pictures, and other collectables. Today the museum is governed by a board of directors, with O'Hare serving as President Emeritus.
The Cocoa Beach Surf Museum is home to local surf history, as well as the history of surfing around the world. Housed in the museum is a collection of one of a kind surf boards, information on surfing pioneers, pictures of surfing Hall of Famers, and detailed information on local surfing legend, Kelly Slater. The museum details the history of surfing, as well as the history of the local community.
Open to the public for tours, exhibits, programs, and lecture series the museum actively works with the community, providing educational opportunities for people of all ages. One of the goals of the museum is to preserve the history and culture, always mindful that Cocoa Beach is one of the leading surfing towns in the world. The museum has started to digitally archive the activities and collections, as well as starting an oral history project.
Current exhibits found in the museum includes "Women of the Waves" a collection of items celebrating women and surfing. In addition to artifacts, pictures, and other items the museum sponsoring events for women of all ages who want to experience the thrill of surfing. Other exhibits includes surf board from the 1970s and 1980s.
The Cocoa Beach Surf Museum is home to local surf history, as well as the history of surfing around the world. Housed in the museum is a collection of one of a kind surf boards, information on surfing pioneers, pictures of surfing Hall of Famers, and detailed information on local surfing legend, Kelly Slater. The museum details the history of surfing, as well as the history of the local community.
Open to the public for tours, exhibits, programs, and lecture series the museum actively works with the community, providing educational opportunities for people of all ages. One of the goals of the museum is to preserve the history and culture, always mindful that Cocoa Beach is one of the leading surfing towns in the world. The museum has started to digitally archive the activities and collections, as well as starting an oral history project.
Current exhibits found in the museum includes "Women of the Waves" a collection of items celebrating women and surfing. In addition to artifacts, pictures, and other items the museum sponsoring events for women of all ages who want to experience the thrill of surfing. Other exhibits includes surf board from the 1970s and 1980s.
Sources
http://www.cocoabeachsurfmuseum.org/
http://www.cocoabeach.com/play/museums-historic/details/cocoa-beach-surf-museum/#post_profile
http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20090421/SPORTS01/904210336/1002/SPORTS
http://surfersvillage.com/content/cocoa-beach-surf-museum-honoring-ron-jon-surf-shop