Jeff Divine's Iconic 70s California Surf Images

Dive into the vibrant world of '70s surf culture in California with a captivating glimpse from Jeff Divine, a renowned figure in the surfing scene. This insider perspective is complemented by a foreword written by the Pulitzer Prize-winning author, William Finnegan.

Jeff Divine was a witness to the golden era of surfing in the ’70s, capturing unforgettable moments in Hawaii and California. As a photographer for Surfer magazine, he documented the raw, uncommercialized essence of surfing when hippie culture reigned supreme. These images, drawn from his extensive personal collection, transport you to a time when surfers crafted their own boards in makeshift garages, each one a unique work of art designed for specific waves and styles. Embracing a counterculture lifestyle, surfers spoke their own language, immersed in a world of nature, ocean, and psychedelic creativity that mainstream society rejected. Jeff Divine's archive reveals a bygone era cherished by those who lived it, where every wave carried a story and every board was a labor of love.

The collection of color and black-and-white photos here captures the essence of California's close-knit surfing culture. Taken in the 70s by Jeff Divine along the coastlines from Baja to Oahu, including Dana Point, Laguna Beach, La Jolla, Malibu, San Clemente, and Oahu, these images showcase the incredible athletic feats of surfing heroes and heroines.

Raised in La Jolla, California, Jeff Divine (born 1950) began photographing the browsing world in 1966. He held jobs as photograph editor for 35 years with Surfer journal and Surfer’s Journal . His works have been displayed worldwide in museums and galleries, in addition to in books, magazines and media. In 2019 he was inducted into the Huntington Seashore Browsing Stroll of Fame for his contribution to surf tradition in a profession lasting 50 years.

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