Bertram Hancock Surfing: A Rare Black-and-White Home Movie

This rare black-and-white home movie, preserved from the Hancock family estate, offers a nostalgic glimpse into the life of Bertram Hancock, the late son of California pioneer G. Allan Hancock, surfing in the early 20th century. Filmed as a short, silent clip, the footage captures Bertram riding the waves off the California coast—likely near Santa Barbara, where the Hancock family estate was located—showcasing the sport’s early days before it became mainstream. A charming window into a privileged coastal lifestyle, this restored archive grips history buffs, surfing enthusiasts, and Hancock family admirers, offering a poignant, fleeting moment of Bertram’s youth frozen in time.