Killer Dana
Encyclopedia
Killer Dana was a legendary surf break located in Dana Point
, California
. The surf break was notorious because it came out of deep water and broke close to the rocks that lined the beach. The Killer Dana wave was destroyed when the Dana Point Harbor was built in 1966. A breakwater now cuts right through the heart of the once epic surf spot. Many locals of Dana Point continue to celebrate the almost fabled existence of the Killer Dana wave by visiting a local business called, Killer Dana Surf Shop.
In June of 1991 two local Dana Point surfers (Gary Wright, and Chris Andrews) opened the doors of Killer Dana Surf Shop along historic Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) in Dana Point, California. The shop is still in its original location, within walking distance of Doheny and Salt Creek State Beaches, and boasts an outrageous ocean view from the store’s rooftop. And even after nearly 20 years, Killer Dana Surf Shop remains a vital part of the area's vibrant action sports culture.
The town of Dana Point was named after American author Richard Henry Dana, Jr.
, who wrote the 1840 memoir
Two Years Before the Mast
. Dana considered the high bluffs and sheltered coves of this area of Southern California
to be the most beautiful spot on the California
coast. Pioneering surfers agreed, as they surfed the many beach breaks along the coast
. Dana Point has a notable surfing history, and is home to many of the first companies that produced products for surfing
. Hobie Alter opened one of the first retail
surf
shops in Dana Point in 1954. Many surf publications such as the Surfer's Journal and Surfer Magazine were formed and are still headquartered in Dana Point. Bruce Brown
produced the film Endless Summer
in Dana Point.
Dana Point, California
-Climate:Dana Point enjoys a mild climate where temperatures tend to average around the 60's. The warmest month of the year is August with an average temperature of 79 degrees Fahrenheit. The coldest month is December with an average minimum temperature of 44 degrees Fahrenheit.-2010:The 2010...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. The surf break was notorious because it came out of deep water and broke close to the rocks that lined the beach. The Killer Dana wave was destroyed when the Dana Point Harbor was built in 1966. A breakwater now cuts right through the heart of the once epic surf spot. Many locals of Dana Point continue to celebrate the almost fabled existence of the Killer Dana wave by visiting a local business called, Killer Dana Surf Shop.
In June of 1991 two local Dana Point surfers (Gary Wright, and Chris Andrews) opened the doors of Killer Dana Surf Shop along historic Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) in Dana Point, California. The shop is still in its original location, within walking distance of Doheny and Salt Creek State Beaches, and boasts an outrageous ocean view from the store’s rooftop. And even after nearly 20 years, Killer Dana Surf Shop remains a vital part of the area's vibrant action sports culture.
The town of Dana Point was named after American author Richard Henry Dana, Jr.
Richard Henry Dana, Jr.
Richard Henry Dana Jr. was an American lawyer and politician from Massachusetts, a descendant of an eminent colonial family who gained renown as the author of the American classic, the memoir Two Years Before the Mast...
, who wrote the 1840 memoir
Memoir
A memoir , is a literary genre, forming a subclass of autobiography – although the terms 'memoir' and 'autobiography' are almost interchangeable. Memoir is autobiographical writing, but not all autobiographical writing follows the criteria for memoir set out below...
Two Years Before the Mast
Two Years Before the Mast
Two Years Before the Mast is a book by the American author Richard Henry Dana, Jr., published in 1840, having been written after a two-year sea voyage starting in 1834. A film adaptation under the same name was released in 1946.- Background :...
. Dana considered the high bluffs and sheltered coves of this area of Southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
to be the most beautiful spot on the California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
coast. Pioneering surfers agreed, as they surfed the many beach breaks along the coast
Coast
A coastline or seashore is the area where land meets the sea or ocean. A precise line that can be called a coastline cannot be determined due to the dynamic nature of tides. The term "coastal zone" can be used instead, which is a spatial zone where interaction of the sea and land processes occurs...
. Dana Point has a notable surfing history, and is home to many of the first companies that produced products for surfing
Surfing
Surfing' is a surface water sport in which the surfer rides a surfboard on the crest and face of a wave which is carrying the surfer towards the shore...
. Hobie Alter opened one of the first retail
Retail
Retail consists of the sale of physical goods or merchandise from a fixed location, such as a department store, boutique or kiosk, or by mail, in small or individual lots for direct consumption by the purchaser. Retailing may include subordinated services, such as delivery. Purchasers may be...
surf
Surfing
Surfing' is a surface water sport in which the surfer rides a surfboard on the crest and face of a wave which is carrying the surfer towards the shore...
shops in Dana Point in 1954. Many surf publications such as the Surfer's Journal and Surfer Magazine were formed and are still headquartered in Dana Point. Bruce Brown
Bruce Brown
Bruce Brown is an American documentary film director, known as an early pioneer of the surf film...
produced the film Endless Summer
The Endless Summer
The Endless Summer is a 1966 film in the surf movie genre.Director Bruce Brown follows two surfers, Mike Hynson and Robert August, on a surf trip around the world. Despite the balmy climate of their native California, cold ocean currents make local beaches inhospitable during the winter...
in Dana Point.
Killer Dana in popular culture
- Killer Dana is an instrumental track recorded in 1997 by surf group The ChantaysThe ChantaysThe Chantays are an American surf rock band from the early 1960s, known for the hit instrumental, "Pipeline" . Their music combined electronic keyboards and surf guitar, creating a unique ghostly sound.-History:...