Walt Disney, Surf Cartoon Pioneer

In 1937 WALT DISNEY produced the first animated surfing cartoon, HAWAIIAN HOLIDAY, featuring Mickey, Minnie, Donald and, in an influential star turn, GOOFY.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Surf in Verse, 2021 Edition

Return to one of our most popular summer features, SURF IN VERSE, four evocative poems about the surf experience. This year's edition includes the oldest known surfing poem, THE SONG OF THE SURF, circa 1867, by ADAM LINDSAY GORDON
by David McGee
 

 

 

Surf in Verse, 2019 Edition

Our HERE COMES SUMMER celebration continues with the perennially popular SURF IN VERSE feature. Five surfing-inspired poems written by surfers (three of them females) are enhanced by classic surf music courtesy THE BEL AIRS and...
by David McGee
 

 
 

The One True Gidget

From TheBluegrassSpecial.com archives, an exclusive interview with the real GIDGET, KATHY KOHNER, whose father turned his daughter's surfing exploits into a '50s cultural phenomenon in a series of best selling novels.
by David McGee
 

 

 

A Most Happy Fella Indeed

From TheBluegrassSpecial.com archives: an exclusive profile of JERRY KELLER, whose 1959 smash, 'HERE COMES SUMMER,' is a seasonal classic. That's not all he did.
by David McGee
 

 
 

My Summer Romance (2017 Edition)

Four reflections on summer romances come and gone, with music of a decidedly French twist by EDITH PIAF, JULIETTE GRECO, MELODY GARDOT and, au contraire, CAROLE KING
by David McGee
 

 

 

Surf in Verse (2017 Edition)

Our annual roundup of poetry inspired by the surfing experience and largely written by surfers. The spirituality of the natural world comes alive in verse. With musical interludes to boot.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Surf in Verse

Five choice poems by surfers about the spiritual experience of riding the waves, being at one with nature. Surf music interludes by DICK DALE, JAN AND DEAN, THE FOUR SEASONS, TAKESHI TERAUCHI & THE BUNNYS.
by David McGee
 

 

 

My Summer Romance (2016 Edition)

Four sweet reminiscences of summer romances, with music by Gary Lewis & The Playboys, Donovan, The Lovin' Spoonful, Charles Trenet, Maurice Chevalier and Hermione Gingold--even Journey.
by David McGee
 

 
 
 

Summer Song

An offbeat playlist for season's end featuring THE DAKOTAS, THE DEL VIKINGS, THE CRESTS, THE PHAROS and THE SPOTNIKS. Surf's Up!
by David McGee
 

 

 

Surf in Verse (2015 Edition)

Poets extol surfing's physical and metaphysical joys. 'Illustrated' with surf classics by JACK NITZSCHE, THE MARKETTS, THE TORQUAYS, THE NEW DIMENSIONS & THE SHADOWS
by David McGee
 

 
 

In Trim: Bruce Brown’s Endless Epic

Writing for Longboard magazine in 2005, PAUL HOLMES captured the entire epic saga of the making of BRUCE BROWN's THE ENDLESS SUMMER.
by David McGee