It’s always like a lesson in surf history whenever I come out to Harbour Surf Day each year.

Rich Harbour, who is celebrating 50 years of surfing this year, points over to a green board on the sand.

The “Trestles Special” replica was a special order made recently to mimic a board made back in 1964. The original was created for Mark Martinson, who requested the color so it would match the bushes down at Trestles.

“He hid it in the bushes all summer long,” Harbour said with a chuckle.

More than 50 surfers showed up at Bolsa Chica Saturday for the annual Harbour Surf Day, a gathering of Harbour lovers who set aside one day each year to ride some waves with one another, and to compare sticks.

There were boards from the past -  like a board blaring neon colors made in the 80s that former employee Mike Hulshof brought to the sand. Another board had permit stickers on it from back in the day in Newport Beach - where surfers once had to buy permits from the city to surf. Imagine that?!

And there were surfboards made recently, like the 50th anniversary made for Tim Sale, who came over from England with his wife Pippa for the event.

Sale picked up his first Harbour 10 years ago in the back of a shop in England. Now, he’s on his 7th Harbour board. About his newest: “It’s beautiful,” he said.

That’s the thing that is really special about Harbour, and the event that honors him. There’s something about Harbour that has created this strong loyalty. He genuienly cares about people, and it shows in the boards he makes for them.

“It’s an honor. I try not to dwell on it, I get kind of misty,” he said. “I’m humbled and speechless.”

Click here to read more about Rich Harbour, and Check out a slideshow from the morning. To keep posted on Harbour happenings, check out the Harbour Owners Society blog.

Rich Harbour checks out an 80s model at Harbour Surf Day on Saturday

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