Welcome to the Museum of British Surfing - the home of UK surf history.

We're documenting our rich and diverse surf culture and its heritage, capturing the soul of British surfing.

We founded Europe's first surf museum in 2003, and are the only full time body researching British surfing history.

We are a Registered Charity (1131433) and working towards full museum accreditation.

Our Museum of British Surfing has the most extensive and historically significant collection of vintage surfboards, literature and memorabilia on public display and for academic research in Europe.

Most importantly it’s a museum being built by you, the British surfer.

The Museum of British Surfing has begun its grant-funded development work - the first steps towards opening in a new permanent home in North Devon.

With your help we can create an exciting new carbon neutral venue for our collection - a cultural meeting place and events-based visitor attraction for everyone to enjoy.

The surf museum is now a Registered Charity, and we're looking for founding partners and funding to help us create something really special.

To read more about the museum and details of our next exhibitions - click here

The Museum of British Surfing needs your help - would you like to be one of our key supporters?

We're looking for founding partners to help with the start-up and future running of our innovative new museum, whether it is a donation of money or offer of work - every penny helps.

Big business, small firm, charity or non profi organisation, educational institution or individual - you can all play a part in creating this very special attraction.

Many people have already stepped forward to help, and have either made donations or offered their services free of charge.

We are in contact with universities, colleges and schools wanting to develop mutual partnerships to create an exiciting and fun learning environment, adding surfing to their curriculum.

To all of our supporters - thanks to every single one of you for your help so far.
To read the latest about our supporters enter here and for our education partners click here

Britain’s links with surfing date back hundreds of years to the time when Captain James Cook first stumbled across our beautiful pastime in Tahiti and Hawaii in the 18th Century. People have been riding waves for fun here in the British Isles for more than a century.

Here you’ll find some images of a small part of our collection of classic surfboards and surfing memorabilia. Our history is constantly being updated as new discoveries are made.

Who was Britain's first surfer? Was it a sailor in Captain Cook's crew? And when were the first waves ridden in Britain... earlier than you might think!

The Museum of British Surfing - documenting life now, and the long and winding path that led us all to the waves. Note - our history pages are currently being updated, but check out the films in the 1960s section!

Click for more British surfing history