SURFING’S HONORABLE MENTIONS

Here are some noteworthy individuals who have made their mark on the surfing community in Huntington Beach. They almost made the top 10, but not quite ? the competition is tough out here.

Natalie Kotsch, International Surfing Museum founder

Kotsch doesn’t surf but has admired surfers and their talents for more than 30 years.

When she arrived in the United States from Canada in the 1970s, Kotsch multitasked as a real estate agent, mom and wife besides nurturing a surfing museum. Her penchant for collecting surf memorabilia was finally solidified when the International Surfing Museum was born in 1988. Kotsch serves on the museum’s board.

“The museum was her brainchild,” said Gary Sahagen, chairman of the museum board. “She worked diligently and has been the mainstay.”

Kotsch helped lobby for the Surfer’s Hall of Fame in 2000, which was unanimously passed by the City Council, said Aaron Pai, owner of Huntington Surf and Sport and No. 2 on our list of top 10 most influential locals in the surfing industry.