Surf / Surfboard Auctions 2024-25
As curators of surf memorabilia, our team is tasked to comb through surf swap meets, antique markets, and private collections all over the islands and coastal mainland. We even pull over at roadside homes and shops when we spy a toasty wall-hanger behind the glass of their respective oceanside properties. There are without a doubt more misses than hits, but it’s all part of the game and we wouldn’t have it any other way. That being said, there are “destinations” that are certain to deliver the treasures needed to complete a given exhibit; vintage surfboard auctions.
Knowing that our patrons, guests, and readers are also avid collectors, Surf Museum Hawaii (SMH) has compiled a schedule of vintage surf auctions for you to follow along with as the years progress. This resource will be updated as required to account for adjustments in schedules along with new entries (hopefully). Bookmark this page and check back often for updates!
Vintage Surfboard and Surf Memorabilia Auction Schedule for Collectors 2024-2025
California Gold Vintage Surf Auction
Where: Online (click here)
When: October 8-19 2024
The California Gold Vintage Surf Auction is the most dependable on this schedule, thanks to its curator and operator, Scott Bass. Scott is a former surf journalist who transitioned into an enjoyable (and knowledgable) personality on one of the best surf podcasts. He is also responsible for the annual Boardroom Show in Del Mar CA each October, which is a must-visit for any fan of wave craft. Bass’ passion and pedigree for surf history has made him the current Big Kahuna of surfboard auction organizers. The semiannual event runs every spring (generally April) and autumn (typically October) with each having its own distinct theme, from Brewer’s big guns to Lopez Lightning Bolts and everything beyond and between. You are guaranteed to strike gold at the California Gold Vintage Surf Auction.
New Jersey Vintage Surfboard Auction
Where: Online (njvsa.com)
When: Summer / Autumn dates for 2024 TBD
As the shortboard revolution of 1968 unfolded, board builders like Noll, Velzy, Jacobs, Weber, and others shipped their longboard surplus to the board-starved east coast of the United States, with most of it landing in New Jersey. Fast forward to the new millennia, and you’ll find that the Jersey shore is now a honeypot of vintage surfboards. Every once in awhile owners and collectors decide to let some of their relics go. They invariably end up in the hands of Surf Legends LLC which puts on the New Jersey Vintage Surfboard Auction. While the NJVSA is not as well planned as California Gold, the auction always features a solid number of holy grails for collectors. This is one surf auction that you will have to check back often on (here) as there is limited notice provided to the “public”.
One-Off Vintage Surfboard Auctions
Placeholder: If you are hosting an upcoming vintage surfboard auction that is not on this schedule, be sure to let us know and we will add it here. Message SMH via our Instagram profile @surfmuseumhawaii.
Gone But Not Forgotten
There have been a select few vintage surf auctions over the past pair of decades that no longer run but are sorely missed. Perhaps they will be revived by the next generation, perhaps not. But SMH will ensure that they live on, right here.
Hawaiian Islands Vintage Surf Auction (2001-2011)
The ultimate of all surfboard auctions was Randy Rarick’s biennial Hawaiian Islands Vintage Surf Auction (HIVSA) which ran every two years from 2001 to 2011. It was an on-premises affair that brought collectors from all over the world together to bid battle at the Neil Blaisdell Center in Honolulu. Nary a month goes by where we don’t take to YouTube (view playlist) to watch reruns of the HIVSA for nostalgia’s sake. The good news, is that Randy Rarick has compiled a database of all HIVSA boards, complete with closing bid prices for valuation purposes, at randyrarick.com.
