Dont forget to mark your calendar, Friday, August 5th at 10:00am. The ceremony will be held directly in front of Huntington Surf & Sport on the corner of PCH and Main Street in Huntington Beach, CA.
Directions
Simon Anderson Joins 2011 Class of Inductees!
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. – Simon Anderson, an Australian surfer/board shaper best known for developing the “Thruster” design of three equal-size fins, will be inducted into the 2011 Surfers’ Hall of Fame. Anderson will join George Downing, Taylor Knox and Chuck Linnen as they have their hand and footprints immortalized in cement for the ages on Friday, August 5 at 10:00 a.m. in front of Huntington Surf & Sport (corner of PCH and Main). Famed sports announcer/commentator David Stanfield and five-time U.S. Surfing Champion Corky Carroll will serve as Masters of Ceremony. Information is available at http://hsssurf.com/shof.
Raised in Sydney, Simon Anderson began his competitive career in 1971 with a juniors win at the Australian National Titles and the Bells Beach Classic contests. Known for his power and easygoing style, Anderson became a frontrunner in many local and international competitions, placing second in the Australian National Titles in 76’, fourth at the 77’ Pipeline Masters, and winning the 77’ Bells and Coke Surfabout. Those wins in 77’, on single-fin boards, put him into the top 10 on the ASP Tour and gave him a chance of taking the title, until the twin-fin intervened.
Fellow Aussie Mark Richards had created a twin-fin design which greatly helped sharp turns on steep waves, by always having one fin deep in the wave. The twin-fin was capable of performing in the poor wave conditions and locations that the ASP events were often held at that time. Within months, surfers on this design were winning most of the competitions, but it was badly unsuited to Anderson’s size (over six feet tall) and style. He simply overpowered the twin fin and didn’t like the idea of having to ‘nurse’ the board through turns, and stated at the time that he wasn’t going to compromise his surfing to adapt to the design.
That’s when Anderson went to work on perfecting the existing three fin concept (a single fin with two smaller outer fins) for added power and stability. His prototype featured three equal-size fins so he named it “Thruster” because the water gets pushed through the fins in the turn. According to Anderson, the single fin (just) holds that speed through a turn whereas with the twin fins, obviously the speed was quickly released and you’d just zip along. The third fin was controlling that thrust throughout the turn.
Anderson’s Thruster design was met with skepticism initially, thought perhaps merely a gimmick, or only for Anderson’s particular size and style. Following design enhancements in 1981, he won the Bells Beach Classic and the Coke Surfabout in Sydney, for a second time, then later the Pipe Masters at Banzai Pipeline in Hawaii. Those victories silenced the critics and brought the thruster to everyone’s attention; from 1984 onward every world champion has used a thruster.
“What Steve Jobs (CEO of Apple) and the “iPhone and iPad” have done for the World, Simon Anderson and the “Thruster” have done for the Sport of Surfing’” said Surfers’ Hall of Fame founder Aaron Pai. “Just as the iPhone and iPad revolutionized consumer technology; the Thruster revolutionized and advanced our Sport of Surfing!
“Simon has given generations of surfers the gift of progression and the ability to do what they can do today! We are honored and extremely excited that Simon Anderson will be inducted into the Surfers’ Hall of Fame this summer!”
The nation’s first imprint collection of legendary surfers, the Surfers’ Hall of Fame celebrated its first induction in 1997 inside of specialty retailer Huntington Surf & Sport where several slabs remain. Four years later with the blessing of the City Council and a stunning bronze statue of sport’s spiritual leader Duke Kahanamoku serving as a backdrop, the ceremony moved outside to the corner of PCH and Main; less than 100 feet from the famed Huntington Beach Pier, site of the U.S. Open of Surfing.
The Surfers’ Hall of Fame induction ceremony is open to the public, free-of-charge. Further information is available at http://hsssurf.com/shof/.
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Press Contacts:
Mike Kingsbury, Jennifer Hernandez, Johanna Phillips, MKM
Mike@teammkm.com; Jennifer@teammkm.com; Johanna@teammkm.com
(714) 375-2188
Posted in 2011, Inductees Tagged 2011 Surfers' Hall of Fame, Simon Anderson, Thruster Comments closed
The 2011 Surfers’ Hall of Fame inductees have been announced!
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. – A pioneering big wave rider, ASP World Tour veteran and genuine local hero join other legendary surfing icons as the 2011 inductees to the Surfers’ Hall of Fame. George Downing, Taylor Knox and Chuck Linnen will have their hand and footprints immortalized in cement for the ages on Friday, August 5 at 10:00 a.m. in front of Huntington Surf & Sport (corner of PCH and Main). Famed sports announcer/commentator David Stanfield and five-time U.S. Surfing Champion Corky Carroll will serve as Masters of Ceremony. Information is available at http://hsssurf.com/shof.
The Surfers’ Hall of Fame induction ceremony pays tribute to those individuals who have made an indelible mark on the sport, industry and culture of surfing. Annually, tens of thousands of visitors to Huntington Beach’s downtown area literally walk in the footsteps of surfing superstars and legends from several eras including Laird Hamilton, Andy Irons, Jack O’Neill, Robert August, Bob Hurley, Sean Collins, Kelly Slater, Lisa Andersen, Pat O’Connell, Al Merrick, Shaun Tomson and Rob Machado who are already immortalized in cement.
Surfers’ Hall of Fame founder Aaron Pai had this to say regarding the 2011 inductees, “George Downing is one of the all time greats. Taylor Knox from the new school has influenced an entire generation of surfers. Chuck Linnen is a home grown Huntington Beach Surfing Legend! We are extremely honored and looking forward to their inductions into the Surfers’ Hall Fame this August!”
George Downing: Born in Honolulu in 1930, Downing began surfing Waikiki at age nine. Known as one of the original big wave riders with encyclopedic knowledge of the sport, he was among the first to ride Laniakea on the North Shore and Maui’s Honolua Bay in the late 1940’s. George went on to win the Makaha International in 1954, 61’ and 65’, finished seventh at the 1965 World Championships and second at the 1967 Duke. A keen student of weather and its impact on swell formation, he blended this knowledge with surfboard theory and construction, building innovative boards that allowed him to ride the biggest waves of the day culminating with 30 foot Makaha on January 13, 1958. Mentor to dozens of Hawaiian surfers over the years, Downing also worked as one of the famed Waikiki beachboys for more than three decades. The longtime contest director of the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau event, George Downing holds an important place in surfing culture.
Taylor Knox: California native Taylor Knox has often been spoken of as a world title contender since he joined the ASP World Tour as a rookie in 1993. Part of 1990’s “New School” crew that replaced the 80’s power surfers, Knox was known for his rail-to-rail style of surfing. Although unable to garner consistent wins on the pro circuit, Taylor won the 1995 U.S. Championship and then led the 1996 American team to victory at the ISA World Surfing Games with his first place finish in the talent-rich men’s division. In February 1998, Knox catapulted into the international spotlight by winning the inaugural K2 Big-Wave Challenge, an event that offered $50,000 to the surfer who caught the biggest wave of the winter and had photographic evidence. Knox unknowingly dropped into a 52-foot behemoth at Todos Santos that made him a mainstream media darling.
Chuck Linnen: A longtime Huntington Beach surfer, Chuck rode his first wave in 1954, was a men’s finalist at the 1958 Oceanside Invitational and competed in his first U.S. Championships in 1959, held in his hometown. Linnen was among the first wave of California surfers to travel to the North Shore in the early 1960s and was a finalist at the 1961 world contest held at Makaha. He also competed at the 1964 world contest in Peru and was runner-up at the Malibu Masters event in 1973. Linnen helped shape the culture and character of Huntington Beach as a mentor and role model to local surfers—teaching future legends like Corky Carroll how to “shoot the pier.” The “surf king” as many called him was a member of the Huntington Beach Surfing Association and ‘The Boys of 55’ surf club. A retired Irvine high school teacher, Linnen most recently held the NSSA Senior Champ and WSA Grand Master titles.
The nation’s first imprint collection of legendary surfers, the Surfers’ Hall of Fame celebrated its first induction in 1997 inside of specialty retailer Huntington Surf & Sport where several slabs remain. Four years later with the blessing of the City Council and a stunning bronze statue of sport’s spiritual leader Duke Kahanamoku serving as a backdrop, the ceremony moved outside to the corner of PCH and Main; less than 100 feet from the famed Huntington Beach Pier, site of the U.S. Open of Surfing.
The Surfers’ Hall of Fame induction ceremony is open to the public, free-of-charge. Further information is available at http://hsssurf.com/shof/.
###
Press Contacts:
Mike Kingsbury, Jennifer Hernandez, Johanna Phillips, MKM
Mike@teammkm.com; Jennifer@teammkm.com; Johanna@teammkm.com
(714) 375-2188
Posted in 2011, Inductees Tagged 2011 Surfers' Hall of Fame, Chuck Linnen, George Downing, Taylor Knox Comments closed
Join Us for the 2010 Surfers’ Hall of Fame Induction
We are pleased to announce this years Surfers’ Hall of Fame Induction event. This year we are very excited to induct Stephanie Gilmore, Ian Cairns, & Randy Lewis into the Surfers’ Hall of Fame.
Please come and join us for the induction ceremony on Friday, August 6th at 10:00am.
The Surfers’ Hall of Fame is located just outside Huntington Surf & Sport on PCH and Main in Huntington Beach.
300 Pacific Coast Highway
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
(714) 374-2373
Hope to see you all there!
Posted in 2010, Inductees Tagged 2010 Inductions, Ian Cairns, Randy Lewis, Stephanie Gilmore, Surfers' Hall Of Fame Comments closed
RANDY LEWIS, LOCAL LEGEND & MEMBER OF THE FAMOUS “HOLE IN THE WALL GANG”, TO ENTER SURFERS’ HALL OF FAME
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. – Randy Lewis, one of Huntington Beach’s best surfers and a noted surfboard shaper, will be inducted into the 2010 Surfers’ Hall of Fame. A lifelong Huntington Beach resident, Randy will be inducted along with Ian Cairns and Stephanie Gilmore on Friday, August 6 at 10:00 a.m. in front of Huntington Surf & Sport (corner of PCH and Main).
Lewis began surfing in 1961 and was considered a childhood phenomenon along the lines of one of his prodigies, Bud Llamas. He started competing in the boys 14 and under division of local events and went on to place third in the 1967 U.S. Championships Junior Men’s. Consistency was Randy’s hallmark when competing, performing well and usually placing among the top three. He won the West Coast Championships in 1976 and 1977 and the San Onofre Surf Club titles in 1978 and 1979.
From WSA events to the annual Huntington Beach contest, Randy competed all the way up through the Super Grand Masters (really old guys) and was often the point leader in his divisions. He finally retired from competitive surfing in 2006 when he won his last event, the City of Huntington Beach Championships.
“Randy was a pure surfer with a great nose riding style,” said John “Frog” Van Oeffelen, also a charter member of the Hole in the Wall Gang. “His balance was amazing; a goofy-footer nose-riding the south side (of the Huntington Beach Pier). He was (is) a truly nice person and mentored many a young surfers along the way, including Huntington Beach’s own Bud Llamas.”
In the mid-60’s, legendary shaper Gordie Duane took Randy under his wing and taught him his board shaping secrets. Soon thereafter, Randy was shaping and riding for the famous “Hole in the Wall Gang”, an assemblage of seasoned Huntington Beach surfers who weren’t part of the regular contest circuit, but were great competitors in their own right.
From 1977 to 1987, Randy operated his own surf shop, the Randy Lewis Surf Center, on 5th Street. Over the years he has worked for almost every HB surf store and currently shapes at Chuck Dent. Among the big name surfers who rode Lewis boards—Llamas, Michael Ho, John Bruiser and Joey Hawkins.
“Randy Lewis is one of the greatest shapers to come out of Huntington Beach,” said Surfers’ Hall of Fame founder Aaron Pai. “When I was a kid growing up, we all looked up to Randy as a surfer and a shaper (still do!). He surfed the Huntington Pier with style and grace and was one of the hottest surfers out in the water.
“Anyone who grew up surfing in Huntington Beach in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s knows the name ‘Randy Lewis’! This guy is right up there with all ‘the best’ surfers and shapers in town. We are honored and excited to be able to induct Randy Lewis in the Surfers’ Hall of Fame this August!”
Notable: Randy is somewhat famous in the world of skateboarding for his one cover shot on SkateBoarder magazine in 1964 (Vol. 1 #2). For a time, Randy tried his hand a motorcycle speedway racing in the early 1970’s in Costa Mesa, Irwindale and Bakersfield at the urging of friends. After racing alongside the likes of future world speedway champion Bruce Penhall, Randy quickly returned to the water where he was more comfortable. His parents, Mary Jane and Forest (a retired city police officer) still live in Huntington Beach.
The 2010 Surfers’ Hall of Fame induction ceremony pays tribute to those individuals who have made an indelible mark on the sport, industry and culture of surfing. Annually, tens of thousands of visitors to Huntington Beach’s downtown area literally walk in the footsteps of surfing superstars and legends from several eras including Laird Hamilton, Mike Doyle, Jack O’Neill, Robert August, Greg Noll, Jericho Poppler, Kelly Slater, Lisa Andersen, Martin Potter, Al Merrick, Shaun Tomson and Rob Machado who are already immortalized in cement.
Three-Time World Champ Stephanie Gilmore Set to be Inducted into Surfers’ Hall of Fame
Three-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore is set to be inducted into the Surfers’ Hall of Fame. Gilmore, the youngest-ever inductee at age 22, has already captured U.S. Open of Surfing and Vans Triple Crown titles in addition to three consecutive ASP women’s world titles. Earlier this year, she was awarded the prestigious Laureus World Sports award, elevating Gilmore to among the world’s elite athletes.
Stephanie will be inducted along with Ian Cairns and Randy Lewis on Friday, August 6 at 10:00 a.m. in front of Huntington Surf & Sport (corner of PCH and Main). More information is available at http://hsssurf.com/shof.
The 2010 Surfers’ Hall of Fame induction ceremony pays tribute to those individuals who have made an indelible mark on the sport, industry and culture of surfing. Annually, tens of thousands of visitors to Huntington Beach’s downtown area literally walk in the footsteps of surfing superstars and legends from several eras including Laird Hamilton, Mike Doyle, Jack O’Neill, Robert August, Greg Noll, Jericho Poppler, Kelly Slater, Lisa Andersen, Martin Potter, Al Merrick, Shaun Tomson and Rob Machado who are already immortalized in cement.
“At only 22 years-old, Stephanie is truly one of the greatest ambassadors our sport of surfing has ever seen,” said Kelly Gibson, Rip Curl USA President and CEO. “From winning three consecutive ASP World Titles to being the ultimate brand icon for Rip Curl, she continues to push the sport, influence surf fans globally, while remaining true to herself. Rip Curl couldn’t ask for a better face for our brand.”
With her father’s encouragement, Gilmore’s life as a surfer began on Australia’s Gold Coast at age 10. A natural at the sport, Stephanie spent much of the next few years surfing some of Australia’s best waves. By age 17 she was entering world tour events as a wildcard, which paid off with a victory at the 2005 Roxy Pro Gold Coast. Soon thereafter Gilmore’s success on the WQS (World Qualifying Series) Tour qualified her for the 2007 ASP Women’s World Tour and she did not disappoint, winning four events and claiming her maiden World Title.
Proving that first year was no fluke, the girl known as ‘Happy’ for her infectious smile, was back again in 2008, looking hungrier and stronger than ever, dominating the older and more seasoned tour veterans. She went on to secure five ASP Women’s World Tour victories en route to her second consecutive ASP Title, then capped the season off with her first Triple Crown of Surfing trophy. Consistency was the key in 2009, when Gilmore won the first and last World Tour events to claim a third consecutive ASP Women’s World Title.
Already 3-0 in World Tour campaigns, Stephanie won the opening two events of 2010 and currently leads the title race…again! Taking the reigns from seven time world champ and Surfers’ Hall of Fame inductee Layne Beachley, Gilmore is poised to rewrite the record books and may create yet another Aussie surfing dynasty. One thing is for certain, on Friday, August 6, Gilmore’s foot and handprints will be forever encased in concrete alongside the sport’s pioneers and heroes.
“Steph Gilmore is an amazing athlete, 2009 Surfer Poll winner and today is considered the most popular female surfer on earth,” said Surfers’ Hall of Fame founder Aaron Pai! “We are very honored that she will be inducted into the Surfers’ Hall of Fame this coming August!
Styled after the famed Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, which Aaron Pai visited as a youngster, the Surfers’ Hall of Fame is intended to “connect the generations of surfers with a lasting tribute and permanent public showcase for the achievements of those who have shaped and revolutionized the sport,” said Pai. The standing room only crowd on induction day is testament to the landmark’s popularity and the surfing community’s acknowledgment of their heroes.
KANGA TO ENTER SURFERS’ HALL OF FAME THIS SUMMER
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. – Against the backdrop of the mega surf contest that he helped shape, Ian “Kanga” Cairns will enter the 2010 Surfers’ Hall of Fame this August. Winner of the 1973 Smirnoff Pro and 1975 Duke Kahanamoku Classic, Cairns was the premier “power” surfer of his era and dominated the North Shore during the mid to late-seventies.
The 13th annual Surfers’ Hall of Fame induction will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, August 6 in front of Huntington Surf & Sport (corner of PCH and Main) coinciding with the Hurley U.S. Open of Surfing.
Known as a fierce competitor who carved trench-like turns in big surf, Cairns ultimately turned his attention to growing the sport and played an instrumental role in the development of the NSSA, ASP, Op Pro, Bud Surf Tour and the U.S. Open of Surfing; earning a reputation as an articulate and passionate supporter of competitive surfing. Cairns, along with other inductees to be announced, will place their hands, feet and signature in wet cement for the ages during a public ceremony.
Cairns was influential in the development of American surfing (and surfers), adding structure to the nascent sport and creating a “clear path to follow.” Under his direction, the venerable Op Pro Surfing Championships produced some of the most memorable clashes in surfing history and created a world-class “stadium” venue to showcase the sport. The Bud Tour received extensive media coverage and jump-started the careers of a new crop of Americans led by Kelly Slater, Taylor Knox, Rob Machado, Shane Beschen and Pat O’Connell.
Among myriad achievements ranging from co-founder of the Bronzed Aussies, appearances in two-dozen surf movies and overseeing the Bluetorch media company, perhaps the most indelible mark Cairns made in the world of surfing is the gargantuan U.S. Open. Prior to taking a brief hiatus from the sport, Cairns helped lay the foundation for the U.S. Open to become the world’s largest professional surfing competition and a consumer showcase for the sport.
“Ian Cairns is a true Surfing Legend who continually pours his heart and soul into our Sport,” said Surfers’ Hall of Fame founder Aaron Pai. “Big Wave Surfer, fierce competitor and currently the head coach of the USA Surf Team, we are very honored that he will be inducted into the Surfers’ Hall of Fame this summer!”
The 2010 Surfers’ Hall of Fame induction ceremony pays tribute to those individuals who have made an indelible mark on the sport, industry and culture of surfing. Annually, tens of thousands of visitors to Huntington Beach’s downtown area literally walk in the footsteps of surfing superstars and legends from several eras including Laird Hamilton, Mike Doyle, Jack O’Neill, Robert August, Greg Noll, Jericho Poppler, Kelly Slater, Lisa Andersen, Martin Potter, Al Merrick, Shaun Tomson and Rob Machado who are already immortalized in cement.
Styled after the famed Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, which Aaron Pai visited as a youngster, the Surfers’ Hall of Fame is intended to “connect the generations of surfers with a lasting tribute and permanent public showcase for the achievements of those who have shaped and revolutionized the sport,” said Pai. The standing room only crowd on induction day is testament to the landmark’s popularity and the surfing community’s acknowledgment of their heroes.
The Surfers’ Hall of Fame induction ceremony is open to the public, free-of-charge.
Big Wave Pioneer & All-Around Waterman George Downing to be inducteed into the Surfers’ Hall of Fame
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. – Hawaiian George Downing, a pioneering big wave rider, innovative board shaper, Waikiki beachboy, mentor, contest director and all-around waterman, is among the 2011 inductees to the Surfers’ Hall of Fame. Downing joins Taylor Knox, Chuck Linnen and Simon Anderson in having their hand and footprints immortalized in cement for the ages on Friday, August 5 at 10:00 a.m. in front of Huntington Surf & Sport (corner of PCH and Main). Information is available at http://hsssurf.com/shof.
“The Surfers’ Hall of Fame is proud to honor George Downing one of the great pioneers of big-wave surfing, leaders of our sport, and major force in preserving oceans, reefs, waves and beaches. George is an ambassador to our sport of Surfing, a Legend and is true Surf Royalty,” said Surfers’ Hall of Fame founder, Aaron Pai. “We are thrilled to be able to thank George Downing for his contributions and achievements to our surfing world and stoked that he will be here for his induction into the Surfers’ Hall of Fame!”
Downing was born in 1930 and raised in Honolulu. He began surfing Waikiki at age nine and spent his teen years living with Wally Froiseth, one of the sport’s original big wave riders and co-creator of the Hot Curl surfboard. As the youngest in a group of World War II-era surfers that included Froiseth, John Kelly and Fran Heath, Downing was in on many of the earliest forays into big wave riding. Froiseth introduced Downing to the big surf at Makaha and later he was among the first to ride Laniakea on the North Shore and Maui’s Honolua Bay.
In a time before surf trips even existed, George sailed to California and spent two months in 1947 surfing up and down the coast. An unfortunate collision with the Malibu pier damaged the nose section of his board, but led him to learn about new materials called fiberglass and resin from a like-minded designer—the enigmatic Bob Simmons. Upon his return to Hawaii, Downing continued a systematic approach to gaining the knowledge that would allow him and his friends to ride ever-larger surf.
A keen student of weather and its impact on swell formation, Downing blended this knowledge with surfboard theory and construction. He not only created one of the earliest quivers with subtle variations in length, rocker and volume, but in 1950, produced the first board for truly big surf, and it soon became the template for all serious surfers. While the Hot Curl was finless, Downing’s 10-foot “Rocket” had the first removable fin. George and others like Walter Hoffman and Buzzy Trent, cracked first the 20, then 30-foot barrier at Makaha riding the innovative Rocket.
As a competitor, George won the Makaha International in 1954, 1961 and 1965, finished seventh at the 1965 World Championships and second at the 1967 Duke. He coached the Hawaiian team to victory in the 1968 World Surfing Championships and set numerous paddling records from 100 yards to one mile. As a businessman George Downing created the venerable Downing Surfboards, which his son Keone continues, and has worked to prevent the corporatization of the Waikiki beach concessions.
Mentor to dozens of Hawaiian surfers over the years, Downing also worked as one of the famed Waikiki beachboys for more than three decades. The longtime contest director of the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau event, George Downing holds an important place in surfing culture.
The Surfers’ Hall of Fame induction ceremony pays tribute to those individuals who have made an indelible mark on the sport, industry and culture of surfing. Annually, tens of thousands of visitors to Huntington Beach’s downtown area literally walk in the footsteps of surfing superstars and legends from several eras including Laird Hamilton, Andy Irons, Jack O’Neill, Corky Carroll, Robert August, Bob Hurley, Sean Collins, Kelly Slater, Lisa Andersen, Pat O’Connell, Al Merrick, Shaun Tomson and Rob Machado who are already immortalized in cement.
The Surfers’ Hall of Fame induction ceremony is open to the public, free-of-charge. Further information is available at http://hsssurf.com/shof/.
###
Press Contacts:
Mike Kingsbury, Jennifer Hernandez, MKM Mike@teammkm.com; Jennifer@teammkm.com;
(714) 375-2188