For the love of Ocean Beach,
San Diego - 921OB
Rebuilding a Legend: The 66 Poster Project.
The 66 Poster project is a community-driven initiative built on local pride, creative heritage, and a shared vision for the future of Ocean Beach. Our mission bridges San Diego’s legendary past with its upcoming coastal legacy through an iconic piece of surfing history.
The Spark: A Double Diamond Anniversary.
The inspiration for this project comes as we approach the historic 60th anniversary of two culture-defining moments that occurred in tandem:
- The Opening of the OB Pier: In 1966, Ocean Beach officially opened its municipal pier, creating a permanent sanctuary for the community and an architectural icon of the California coast.
- The 1966 World Surfing Championships: That very same year, the eyes of the global sports world turned to Ocean Beach as it hosted the first-ever World Surfing Championship held on United States soil.
The Artifact: Michael Dormer’s 66 Poster
At the center of our project is the official event poster created by the legendary local artist, cartoonist, and counterculture icon Michael Dormer. Famous for creating the “Hot Curl” surf character, Dormer’s vibrant design captured an electric energy that went far beyond mere advertising.
This specific poster encapsulates the exact weekend that surfing changed forever. The 1966 contest became the battlefield for a massive design evolution: traditional, smooth, horizontal log riding clashed directly with explosive, tight, vertical maneuvers on shorter boards.
When Nat Young won the title on his revolutionary board Magic Sam, he ushered in the Modern Shortboard Revolution right on the shores of OB. Dormer’s poster stands as a visual time capsule of the exact moment modern surfing was born.
The City of San Diego’s Pier Renewal Project isn’t just about rebuilding concrete pilings; it’s about designing a modern, resilient, and sustainable pier that preserves equitable ocean access for the next 100 years.
The new Ocean Beach pier.
A True Community Collaboration
The 66 Poster project is not the work of a single individual; it is a true labor of love born from a grassroots coalition. This project is a unified, collaborative effort powered by:
- OB Locals: Passionate residents dedicated to preserving the neighborhood’s unique, independent identity.
- OB Businesses: Local shops and independent merchants who serve as the economic backbone of our beach town.
- OB Community Organizations: Civic groups working hand-in-hand to ensure the spirit of 1966 thrives well into the future.
When you bring this poster into your home, you aren’t just hanging a piece of vintage art on your wall. You are participating in a local movement, honoring Michael Dormer’s creative genius, and laying the groundwork for the next 60 years of Ocean Beach history.
Our supporters and contributors.
Own a piece of history.
Every poster purchased helps support the San Diego Ocean Beach Pier Renewal Project. This is more than a work of art, it’s a meaningful collectors item and a contribution to the community that inspired it. Get yours today and be part of renewing an icon of San Diego surf history.