9 stars of surf join Huntington Beach shrines
As fans watch elite surfers compete in the U.S. Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach this week, two organizations will be honoring surfing pioneers who have left their marks on the sport.
On Friday, Huntington Surf and Sport will induct three surf legends into the Surfers’ Hall of Fame, imprinting their hands, feet and signatures outside the store.
On Thursday morning, the Surfing Walk of Fame will induct six newcomers to its lengthy list of honorees immortalized in granite stones outside Jack’s Surfboards in Huntington Beach.
The three inductees in the Surfers’ Hall of Fame are:
Gordon “Grubby” Clark
In 1961, Clark, a Gardena native, started Clark Foam, a company that provided shapers with surfboard blanks ready to be shaped. At its height, Clark Foam produced about 90% of the blanks used in the United States.
Clark closed the company in 2005 and retired to his ranch in Oregon.
In 2002, Surfer magazine named Clark second on the list of the 25 Most Powerful People in Surfing, behind Quiksilver Chief Executive Bob McKnight.
Clifton James “C.J.” Hobgood
Florida native Hobgood is a former world champion and winner of the U.S. Open of Surfing. Since 2003, he and his twin brother, Damien, have held Camp Hobgood, an international surf retreat for up-and-coming professionals.
Hobgood, a 17-year surfing veteran, announced this year that this would be his last season on the Assn. of Surfing Professionals World Tour.
John Davis
The Huntington Beach High School graduate was one of the best surfers of the late 1960s and early 1970s.
He was the first captain of the school’s surfing team in 1967. After graduating in 1969, Davis competed in several competitions in Hawaii, finishing second that year at the Sea Spree at Haleiwa and third at Honolua Bay in 1970, behind surfing legends Gerry Lopez and Barry Kanaiaupuni.
In 1973, Davis finished third in the U.S. Surfing Championship in Malibu but later battled alcoholism and drug addiction.
Davis has been sober for 17 years and started the Akua Mind & Body addiction treatment facility in Costa Mesa.
He can be found surfing the north side of the Huntington Beach Pier almost every morning.
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Surfing Walk of Fame
The six inductees to the Walk of Fame are:
Surf Pioneer: Paul Strauch
The Hawaii-born longboard surfer is credited with creating two surfing techniques still used today.
He pioneered the bottom turn, which enables a surfer to set up for various maneuvers on the waves. He’s best known for the “cheater five,” a technique in which a surfer crouches on the nose of the board with his or her weight toward the back.
Surf Champion: Reno Abellira
Abellira, also Hawaii-born, was one of the fastest people on a surfboard during the late 1960s and 1970s.
He won the Hawaii state championship in 1970 and 1972 and was runner-up at the 1973 Duke Kahanamouku Classic.
Abellira was ranked fourth in the world in 1977, eighth in 1978 and 13th in 1979.
Woman of the Year: Sofia Mulanovich
In 2004, the Peruvian was the first South American surfer to win a world title.
The 2003 Rookie of the Year became the Assn. of Surfing Professionals world champion in 2004 after winning competitions in Fiji, France and Tahiti.
Mulanovich was inducted into the Surfers’ Hall of Fame in 2007.
Surf Culture: Dick Graham
Graham is the co-founder of Surfing magazine, which started publication in 1964. He left the publishing industry in 1968 to become vice president of marketing for the Hang Ten clothing company.
From 1975 to 1985, Graham co-owned the surfboard company Lightning Bolt.
He is working on a photo essay book called “The Ride.”
Local Hero: John Boozer
The Huntington Beach High School graduate was one of the 39 members of the “Hole in the Wall Gang” surf team of the late 1960s and 1970s.
He died in 2004 after a bout with cancer.
Honor Roll: David Nuuhiwa Sr.
The Hawaii native was responsible for the traditional blessing of the waves before the U.S. Open of Surfing.
Nuuhiwa, an expert in martial arts, first worked security for the then-Op Pro surfing competition in Huntington Beach in 1982. That year, he asked if he could bless the waves before the competition, and the ceremony became an annual tradition.
Nuuhiwa was inducted into the Surfers’ Hall of Fame in 2004.
He died in 2005 at age 82 after a two-year battle with cancer.
If you go
Surfing Walk of Fame inductions
When: 10 a.m. Thursday
Where: In front of Jack’s Surfboards, 101 Main St., Huntington Beach
Luncheon: Induction luncheon catered by Duke’s restaurant will be held after the ceremony across the street at Pier Plaza. The cost is $40 per person. Tickets are available at surfingwalkoffame.com/gift_shop.html.
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Surfers’ Hall of Fame inductions
When: 10 a.m. Friday
Where: In front of Huntington Surf and Sport, 300 Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach
Information: www.hsssurf.com/shof