Surfin' USA: The Beach Boys
Brian Wilson — the guy who wrote and produced most of the hits for the Beach Boys — died Wednesday at age 82.
The music he gave us over the decades was amazing: “Good Vibrations” and the “Pet Sounds” album come to mind. But many of us first heard his work via the Beach Boys’ surfin’ songs of the early 1960s.
With that in mind, let’s celebrate Wilson’s life and work with a look at the spots in Southern California and elsewhere that are mentioned in various Beach Boys songs from 60-plus years ago.
Surfing Terms Explained For Us Hodaddies
Angling
Reversing direction on a wave, featured in Surfin' Safari.
Baggies
Oversized swimsuits preferred by many 1960s-era surfers, featured in Surfin' USA.
Kickin' Out
To push down on the tail of a surfboard in order to lift and turn the nose over the top of a wave at the end of a ride. Preferable to wiping out, naturally. Featured on Surfin' Safari.
Knots
Callouses just below the knees and on the tops of feet, caused by kneeling on a surfboard. Featured on Surfin'
Hodaddy
Someone who pretends to be a surfer but is obviously not one. With the exception of Dennis Wilson, the Beach Boys themselves were, alas, hodaddies. Featured on Surfers Rule, Finders Keepers.
Huaraches
A popular brand of handmadeMexican leather sandals. Featured in Surfin' USA, Noble Surfer.
Meatball Flag
A yellow flag with a black circle, used by lifeguards to signal conditions are too rough for surfing. Featured in Finders Keepers.
Shootin' The Pier
To ride a surfboard through the pilings of a pier. A particularly foolhardy thing to do. Featured on Surfin' Safari.
South Bay Surfer
Someone from Manhattan, Hermosa or Redondo beaches and surrounding blue-collar neighborhoods. Way cooler than dudes from the more affluent suburbs. Featured on... South Bay Surfer.
Surfer Girl
In those days, girls didn‘t surf. They (supposedly) sat on the beach and gazed lovingly at their surfing boyfriends. One notable exception: Kathy Kohner of Malibu, whose dad wrote about her adventures, fictionalizing her name to “Gidget.” His books spawned a series of movies and a 1965 TV show starring a 19-year-old Sally Field. Surfin', Surfer Girl.
Surfer Stomp
A popular dance practiced by surfers in the early 1960s. Featured on Surfin'
Surfin Safari
A road trip in search of good surf conditions. If you don’t do this in a “Woodie,” you’re doing it wrong. Featured on Surfin' Safari, Surfin' USA.
Walkin' The Nose
To edge forward on a surfboard toward the front, or nose. Very difficult unless you really know what you’re doing. Featured on Surfin' Safari.
Wax
Rubbed onto the top of a surfboard to provide extra traction. It wears away with use, of course, so it must be reapplied from time to time. Featured on Surfin', Surfin' USA.
Wipe Out
Fall down, go boom. Featured on Don't Back Down.
Woodie
An old station wagon from the 1930s or 1940s, popular because surf boards could fit in the back. The name comes from the real hardwood finish on the side. Featured on Surfin' Safari, Surfer Girl, Surfers Rule.
Some of The Surfin' Spots The Beach Boys Sang About
And in which songs you can catch the references.
