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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
 

 
 
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Surf in Verse: Summer’s Last Ride

One last ride on the big waves, in verse, with a soundtrack featuring THE ASTRONAUTS, THE BEACH BOYS, THE G-MEN, THE CHANTAYS and vintage surfing footage by DR. DON JAMES. Plus the earliest known surfing poem, from 1911.
by David McGee
 

 

 
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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
 

 
 
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My Summer Romance (2015 edition)

Four stories of seasonal love, with music provided by JOHNNY RIVERS, GARY LEWIS & THE PLAYBOYS, PERCY FAITH and words of love by SHAKESPEARE
by David McGee
 

 

 
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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
 

 
 
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A Royal Sport

In 1907 JACK LONDON sailed to Hawaii in his ketch The Snark. His enthusiastic report on surfing, 'A ROYAL SPORT, rekindled interest in riding the waves in surfing's birthplace and launchied its modern era. Read it here.
by David McGee
 

 

 
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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
 

 
 
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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
 

 

 
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My Summer Romance: Laughter, Tears & Tenderness

MY SUMMER ROMANCE: LAUGHTER, TEARS & TENDERNESS in three stories and a poem about summer loves. Music by MEL CARTER, SPANKY & OUR GANG, et al.
by David McGee
 

 
 
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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
 

 

 
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American Graffiti @ 40: ‘…a final farewell to childhood dreams before reality steps in’

Saluting AMERICAN GRAFFITI on its 40th anniversary, we offer a view from the younger generation in the form of Australian THOMAS CALDWELL's smart take on the 1973 classic coming of age story.
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