The SURFING HERITAGE and Culture Center (SHACC) is excited to announce a revitalized Board of Directors, anchored by seven surf industry icons with over 300 years of combined experience in surf-related businesses. This strategic move is being heralded by co-founders Dick Metz and Spencer Croul, who (along with the prior Board Members who will now serve on an advisory level) have now entrusted the organization’s legacy to a new generation of passionate surf-history preservationists. 

“I can’t express how excited I am to finally pass the torch to a new generation,” says Metz, who first learned to surf in Laguna Beach in the 1930s. “Now at 95, knowing that SHACC will be in the hands of a team with the energy, focus, leadership, guidance, and fundraising acumen to take it to the next level, is just incredible. I’m deeply grateful to everyone who made this possible.” 

Croul, who will remain on the board alongside the new team, shares Metz’s enthusiasm. “This move will elevate SHACC’s visibility and influence on a global scale,” he explains. “This exceptional group of directors brings the horsepower and expertise needed to solidify SHACC’s position as the premier surf archive, research center, and museum worldwide. Their leadership will ensure that SHACC not only survives but thrives for generations to come.” 

Paul Naude and Mark Christy will serve as Co-Chairs of the new board, and be joined by Randy Hild, Greg MacGillivray, Dan McInerny, Jeff Alter, and Royce Cansler, who are all new to the board. Both Spencer Croul and Patti Paniccia will retain their existing board seats. 

Over a span of many decades, SURFING HERITAGE has amassed what is unquestionably the world’s largest collection of iconic surfboards and surf-related memorabilia, spanning from craft and accessories to art, fashion, film, photography, music, and literature. Among its incomparable treasures are 3 of the few remaining Duke Kahanamoku boards known to exist, along with 800 more from every significant designer and performer in surf history. 

“SURFING HERITAGE is effectively the Smithsonian of Surf,” Mark Christy notes. “Combining the balance of the world’s collections wouldn’t replicate half of what’s here. It’s the surfing equivalent of Lennon’s white piano, McCartney’s Höfner bass, and David Byrne’s “Stop Making Sense” white suit along with their handwritten lyrics and demo tapes. Yet, most surfers, and the general public, don’t even know what is here right under their noses. That’s what we intend to change by opening a dynamic, high-profile and publicly accessible facility where the public can immerse themselves into the many facets of Surfing through the scope of this collection” 

“The SHACC mission is deeply personal to me because Dick Metz has been a member of my family, and the Hobie brand that my dad built before I was born,” says Jeff Alter, who will serve as SHACC’s Executive Director. “I’m honored and excited for this opportunity, and to be armed with the incredible level of expertise this board brings to the table, as well as our amazing in-house staff: Barry K Haun, Linda Michael, Casey Prado, and Kate Luitjens.”

“The strength of this team lies in our collective experience in building businesses that support surfing which, by the way, happens to be the Official Sport of California,” says Paul Naude. “We feel a profound responsibility to both protect and project the richness of surf history. Our goal is to infuse SHACC with fresh energy and vision, recognizing that surf history is a living narrative. 

Contextualizing the last decade, alongside the remarkable events of the past century, and surfing’s deep roots, is all vital. The storytelling never ends.” 

JOIN US 

There’s no better time to get involved in safeguarding the legacy of surfing for future generations by exploring membership options for SURFING HERITAGE. 

SHACC BOARD MEMBERS 

Paul Naudé 

CEO of STOKEHOUSE UNLIMITED • former leader at GOTCHA, BILLABONG, and founder of VISSLA. 

Mark Christy 

Transformed THE RANCH at LAGUNA BEACH into an internationally awarded top-tier resort as Managing Partner. 

Greg MacGillivray
Award-winning filmmaker and Pioneer of IMAX filmmaking and the Giant Screen Theater industry • Renowned for his innovative work in both surf films and mainstream cinema. 

Randy Hild 

Former EVP at QUIKSILVER, instrumental in building the ROXY brand into a global powerhouse. 

Dan McInerny 

Founding partner of footwear brand OLUKAI • Executive Director at AMA OLUKAI FOUNDATION. 

Jeff Alter 

Former President of HOBIE DESIGNS and HOBIE SURFBOARDS, overseeing surfboard and watercraft innovation.  

Royce Cansler 

Played key roles at GOTCHA, BILLABONG, BING SURFBOARDS, and RUSTY. 

Spencer Croul 

Co-Founder of SURFING HERITAGE and Culture Center and board member since inception. 

Patti Paniccia 

Co-launched IPS world surfing tour for women in 1976, while being ranked in the Top 10 • Part time adjunct law professor at Pepperdine Law School. 

ABOUT SHACC 

SHACC exists at the intersection of surfing’s past, present and future. Its mission is to preserve, promote, and present surfing’s heritage and cultural impact. SHACC was founded in 1999 thanks to the combined efforts of Dick Metz, Spencer Croul, and our founding partners who committed the first funds. This lineup of legends has grown the museum into the worlds premier cultural institute complete with over 500,000 objects, images, and ephemera celebrating all things surf. In 2005 the museum opened its permanent location in San Clemente, where it continues to enlighten & entertain visitors from all around the world. 

SHACC FOUNDING PARTNERS 

Fernando Aguerre • Hobie Alter • Nick & Terri Bacica • Dick & Una Baker • Larry & Louise Balma • Bob Baugher • Jim & Linda Biram • The Bill Blackburn Family • The Brewer Family • Bruce Brown • The Cachia Family • Jon Checkie • Mark Christy • Ed Clapp • Bing Copeland • William Crawford • Donnie Crevier • Jack Croul • Brad Croul • Gary Dapelo • The Greg Dillion Family • “Ron Jon” Dimenna • Joe & Ellie Dunn • Howard Ecker • The Engh Family • Keith & Chris Eshelman • Bob Estes • The Etherton Family • Mike Feder • Mike Fox • The Mark Fragale Family • Randy French • Mike Gerard • Robert & Robin Gerard • Sam & Teresa Gornto • Louis Graziadio • Don Hansen • Jeffery Harris • The George Hawn Family • David Heath • Randy & Debbie Hild • Flippy Hoffman • Walter Hoffman • Thomas Holbrook • Rob Insinger • John Insinger • Mark Kehke • Wing Lam • Cecil & Mary Lou Lear • Chris Lee • Jay “Sparky” Longely • Pat Magee • Mike Mann • The Bob Mardian Family • Tony & Carrol Mardian • Mike & Sharon Marshall • Takuji Masuda • John & Robby Mazza • Judy “Jams” McGill • Bob McKnight • Gordon & Lisa Michie • Richard & Vicki Mobley • Dickie Moon • Denny Moore • Bev Morgan • Paul Naude • Greg Newman • Rich Novak • David Olan • The Pat O’Neill Family • The Orbelian Family • The Tom Peck Family • Steve & Debee Pezman • Dan Pincetich • Davie Reese • Mahi & Robert Riley • Thomas & Carrie Rolfes • Peter Rothschild • Jeff Sangster • The Sandy Saxten Family • Wayne Schafer • Ernie Schneider • Ron & Lona Sharp • Doug Simpson • Ralph Simmonds • Earl Smith • Griff Snyder • Larry Stone • Joe Tabler • The Thibaut Family • Bill & Peggy Thrailkill • George & Nina Trosset • Joe Twombly • Butch Van Artsdalen • Dale Velzy • Hank Weeks • Michael Whitaker • The Duffy Whitmer Family • Charles Wilson • Renny Yater