The Shack in La Jolla Ranked Among Top 50 Historical Sports Sites

At Windansea, there are big waves, brave surfers and, perhaps best of all, the Shack.

"To the outsider it’s little more than a side-less hut, cemented eucalyptus poles topped by palm fronds beaten to a burnt brown. But locals know better. Locals know the Shack’s history—destroyed once by fire, twice by storm, rebuilt each time," the beachside staple was described in a U-T San Diego report designating the Shack as the No. 44 most historical sports site, past or present, in San Diego County. 

Built in 1947, the Surf Shack at Windansea Beach was designated a historic site by the San Diego Historical Resources Board on May 27, 1998. 
 
In 2011, Hank Warner of the Windansea Surf Club mentioned the Shack as he reflected on his best wave:

For my best, back around 1973, there was a large day at Windansea. The waves were so big that if you looked down Palomar Street, you were taking off further out and over. And I just remember catching a wave outside and riding it forever and eventually making my way to the shack.  

My most memorable wave at Windansea was in 1977. I was paddling for a nice set; it was a clean, clean day. There were a lot of people out, but I had a wave on the outside all to myself. Everyone backed off and gave me the peak. Before I got to me feet, the wave jacked up, blast me in the back, held me under, and for a second I thought I would never go out and surf Windansea again. It was probably the scariest ride I’ve ever had. But that was my most memorable wave at Windansea. Go figure. It was a wipeout trying to drop in.