Encyclopedia of Surfing

Education & Reference Sport & Recreation

Matt Warshaw’s Encyclopedia of Surfing is the definitive hardcover tribute to wave-riding culture, packing 800 illustrated pages of history, bios, and technical know-how into a single, shelf-worthy volume. First published in 2003, this oversized reference remains the sport’s gold standard, tracking surfing’s evolution from ancient Polynesia to modern global phenomenon.

Every spread bursts with rare photos, vintage ads, and concise entries that let you dip in for a quick fact or settle in for an evening of browsing. The detailed cross-referencing makes it easy to jump from legendary surfers to iconic breaks, equipment innovations, and pop-culture moments.

This copy arrives clean and crisp: tight binding, uncreased pages, no tears or dog-ears, and housed in a bright dust jacket. A previous owner penned a brief gift inscription on the front endpaper; otherwise the book is unmarked and comes from a smoke-free home.

Perfect for surfers, collectors, and lovers of sports reference books, the Encyclopedia of Surfing delivers endless stoke without ever spoiling the next great session.