THE STORY OF
YORK BEACH SURF CLUB

Brought to you by The Surf Company©.

The York Beach Surf Club began in 1964 in York, Maine as a surfing club for the locals competing in the sport. L.F. “Sonny” Perkins, the first surfer in the State of Maine with a fiberglass surfboard, began the club with a loose coalition of surfers/friends to represent the area in surfing contests along the east coast.

In 2020, the Perkins family of York bought the hotel with the itinerary of a change of pace, and celebrating the unique culture of surfing and the east coast. Contemplating the name, they had grown up around the stories of the York Beach Surf Club and its members. The moniker was re-born as the name of the hotel with the intention of celebrating surfing culture in Maine, and the wonderful lifestyle of the east coast in southern Maine.

The resort pays homage to the original 1960’s surf collective, The York Beach Surf Club, and tells the unique story of the evolution of surfing in Maine. All photography throughout the hotel is curated entirely from locals, of locals.

 
 
The Modern York Beach Surf Club

The Modern York Beach Surf Club (INITIAL RENDERING)

 
 
 
 

1900-1950’s

 
 

TURN-OF-THE-CENTURY VACATIONLAND

York, Maine has a deep history of being the playground of the northeast, and one of the top summer hot spots of the east coast. Originally located at the end of the whistle stop, vacationers would take the train up to York to enjoy a stay in one of the many beautiful victorian hotels dotting the oceanfront.

As the evolution of the automobile changed commerce in the area, the shift to to exterior corridor motels took the country by storm, creating a dynamic couple of decades of design in the building styles celebrating the culture of the automobile and travel.

 
 
 
 
 
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1963-1980

SURF MANIA IN MAINE

As a locale for summer migration with a permanent influx of travelers, York Beach inevitably found itself at the frontline of the wave of 60’s surf culture. A place infused with the spirit of rebellion and the creative experimental edge of the 60’s, surfing found a place here amongst the southern Maine youth. In 1963, Sonny Perkins and friends established the original York Beach Surf Club collective.

With surfing becoming a main sport along the coast of Maine, the growth in tourism prompted the hotel to added a third story in the late 60’s. Modernizing itself to the times, it continued to operate under the name York Harbor Motel.

 
 
 
 
 
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1980-present

THE MODERN
YORK BEACH SURF CLUB

In 2020, the property was purchased by the Perkins family of York and renovated to begin its new life as a surf club on the shores of York Beach, Maine. After a multi-million dollar restoration with the addition of the new pool, food & beverage program, and fully renovated buildings and bungalows, the property is ready for its next 50 years and generations of York visitors. Celebrating its first season opening in Spring of 2022!

 
 
 
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