Originally published February 2020 at https://www.ci.oceanside.ca.us.
Cory Whitlock said his favorite childhood memories include catching some of the world’s best waves in Oceanside when he and his family moved from Hawaii to the mainland. A professional surfer, Whitlock scored his first competition win at the age of just 5 years old.
These days, he’s winning on land too.
Whitlock is the face behind Whitlock Industries LLC, a thriving brand that offers surfers every product imaginable, from custom surfboards to full production screen printing to surf lessons. Whitlock Industries is just one of more than a dozen surfboard manufacturers that are a part of a robust Oceanside economy that continues to flourish in unparalleled ways.
Cory Whitlock stands inside his Oceanside business where they make custom surfboards.
“Surfing in Oceanside is a huge part of our community,” Whitlock said. “The beach is where we spend our time with important rituals that include checking the waves, talking shop and meeting up with friends. Since most of our clients surf, our ‘board meetings’ are held in the ocean, work and play at its best.”
Statistics prove that the surf industry has contributed to Oceanside’s healthy economy. Experienced surfers typically hit the waves more than 100 times per year and spend an average of $66 on purchases such as “food, gas, rental equipment, lodging and/or merchandise,” during each outing according to a report by Surfrider Foundation and Surf-First. The industry is expected to rise to $9.5 billion by 2022, according to Global Industry Analysts.
But, what sets the Oceanside surf industry apart from other cities is the individuality offered to athletes and fans. While many companies mass-produce their products, Whitlock Industries produces boards completely customized and fitted to each surfer.
The Whitlock family stands inside their Oceanside business.
“We pride ourselves on offering custom surfboards built here in Oceanside and handcrafted by locals that are paid fair wages,” Whitlock said. “Our customers design their shape, color, fin options, polyester or epoxy and more, making it a true hands-on experience.”
Whitlock Industries, like many other surfboard makers in the city, didn’t just jump into the industry overnight. Whitlock’s father, Rusty, has been developing surfboards since the 1960s. Today, Whitlock Industries has two locations and 12 employees.
The contributions of Whitlock Industries and other surf businesses, along with other key players in the surf community.
The California Surf Museum located in Oceanside since 1991, has been a major attraction for Southern California. The museum has attracted a worldwide following of visitors eager to experience surfing history and culture.
The California Surf Museum has called Oceanside home since 1991.
“I would say 75 percent of our visitors don’t surf, but they are excited to see something that’s real and showcases our passion, which is surfing,” said Jane Schmauss, historian and co-founder of the 34-four year-old organization. “Oceanside is rich in surf history. In fact, one of the first ever big-draw surf contests was held at the Oceanside Pier in 1964.”
The museum is home to surfboards created back in the early 1900s to the surfboard that American professional surfer Bethany Hamilton, who’s left arm was torn off by a shark attack in 2003. Hamilton recovered from the attack and went on to earn first place honors in a variety of surf competitions. One of the current exhibits from the Surf Museum is “The Healing Power of Wave-riding” featuring Adaptive Surfing, which honors those who have overcome physical disabilities to surf.
Schmauss said, “We change our exhibits regularly and we will never run out of stories to share”. “Surfing has percolated into our culture the way no other sport has. It continues to grow and flourish.”
With the help of popular surf events such as the SuperGirl Surf Pro, USA Championships & Team Trials, Oceanside Longboard Surf Contest & Beach Festival and the U.S. Open Surfing Adaptive Championships, the surf industry continues to ride high in Oceanside, said Whitlock, who noted how the industry has also helped other businesses.
“The surf industry has fueled many other businesses in the area,” Whitlock said. “In the next five to ten years, I see Whitlock Industries continuing to expand while supporting the growth of new businesses and projects in the community.”
Of course, “if the surf’s up” customers might have to come back in an hour or so, Whitlock joked.
For more information about Whitlock Industries, go to www.whitlocksurfexperience.com.
For more information about the California Surf Museum, go to www.surfmuseum.org.
For more information on Surfing Events, go to www.visitoceanside.org/oceanside-surf-contests.