Gov. Brown signs bill declaring surfing as official state sport

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (FOX 11/CNS) - The Beach Boys helped make surfing an iconic part of California's culture decades ago, and now it is the state's official sport.

Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill authored by Assemblymen Al Muratsuchi, D-Torrance, and Ian Calderon, D-Whittier, who are both avid surfers and noted the sport generates significant economic activity for the state, which has about 1,100 miles of coastline.

"I am stoked that surfing is now California's official sport. No other sport represents the California dream better than surfing -- riding the waves of opportunity and living in harmony with nature,'' Muratsuchi said.

"Let's celebrate California by celebrating this iconic sport.''

Calderon, the Assembly's majority leader, said he was ``proud to join Assemblymember Muratsuchi in designating surfing as our state sport. Growing up surfing not only had a significant impact on who I am as a person, but also taught me at a young age to appreciate and cherish our beautiful coastline that we are so fortunate to have here in California.''