The brouhaha got its start when Assemblyman Tom Mays (R-Huntington Beach), a local surfer, introduced a resolution in March seeking to have the state Legislature officially recognize the city as "Surf City Huntington Beach."

Mays said Monday that he is trying to work out a solution to the good-natured rivalry, such as letting Santa Cruz join a Sister Surf City Assn. with Huntington Beach. He also said he wouldn't mind if [Sam Farr] introduces a bill for a Surf City Santa Cruz.

"We knew there was a Surf City in North Carolina and a Surf City in New Jersey, and even a Surf City in Australia somewhere. We never heard of one in Northern California. It was a new twist."