Far too often it seems like the emphasis is on the partnership itself, and not the end product. There may be a tendency to think someone else is sure to help out, so I dont need to. Son of surfing legend Tom Curren aka Pat Curren goes straight up at Rincon. Pats wife, Mary, and I exchanged numbers and have stayed in touch over the past 7 months. Jenkins, 1995, p. 78. For less than the cost of a couple of cups of coffee a month, become an Insider member and continue to get Local News You Can Use from the only independently owned, dedicated local news organization in South Orange County. We got a big surprise when we got out there. Curren didnt really care about training, . The irony was, at the end of the first day, when we were all sitting together rehashing our rides, everybody wondered, Why the hell have we been sitting on the beach for the past three years? It wasnt a huge break that day. Pat Curren (far left) was the archetypal surf pioneer of the 1950s: a dedicated big-wave explorer, an expert board builder all mixed with a bit of good, old-fashioned pirate. Photo: Courtesy of SHACC. Born in 1932 in Carlsbad, California, Curren grew up mostly in the Mission Beach area of San Diego. Although Pat Curren prefers to live his life well off the beaten path, existing in a virtual self-imposed exile, his impact on the sport still resonates today. There isnt enough room for Mary to sleep in the trailer with their special needs daughter and Pat, so shes been making her bed in the back of the Tahoe for the past year. Jenkins, 1995, p. 77. Click on the icon below to go there: I think the best period for surfing was the 50s, s [post World War II] history -- nobody rode the Bay bigger, better or with more calculated precision than Pat Curren. Today it's Cabo, but soon that, too, will pass, just like California, the North Shore and Costa Rica. From Saturn to Dump to Nozvid, the Academy award for best supporting role in a. This section excerpted from Gault-Williams. He's a fan of Capital City Showcase trivia. Reader and Viewer Involvement in the LEGENDARY SURFERS collection takes place at our Facebook Goup. Not only did he ride them, but he made them. He along with a few other surfers of his time, anchored in the prominence of big-wave surfing from scratch. He just said the hell with everything else. Christianity is an important part of his life, largely thanks to the influence of his mother. Ten years later, their second son Joe was born. He lived the golden years; was perfect example of what surfing was in those halcyon days. Diffenderfer, Theres no way to express the look on the owners face when he came the next month to collect the rent, wrote Van Dyke. Famed for being one of the best big-wave surfers of the 50s and 60s, and for crafting the first big-wave guns purpose-built for surfing Waimea, Pat leaves behind three children and a handful of grandchildren. The last I remember was seeing Pat ahead of me on the way out of a gigantic curl, while I was completely inside of the curl knowing that I didnt have a chance. , Nelson Surfboards. The guys that put no money down on their boards got theirs first. This past January, I hopped on a flight for a quick trip to California. At 88 years old, and with a lifetime of ups and downs behind him, a group text of friends lit up with a GoFund me for Pat, who it turns out is in a bad way. And highly respected in surfing history. He also began to take an interest in giving shape to the surfboard. Anyway, Pat got some cash and for this he was eternally grateful. Pat had 3 siblings: Margaret Curren and 2 other siblings. A popular family name in surf history and indeed on this site! He had so many friends everywhere. In 1988, he relocated to the southern tip of Baja, near San Jose del Cabo. Sign In, Want to join? Father of three-time world champ Tom Curren, Pat's star burned brightest in the late 1950s and early '60s before he became more reclusive, largely shying away from a much-deserved spotlight. Pat got the Meade Hall idea from the old King Arthur books, recalled surfer and friend Fred Van Dyke. Steve Pezman is quick to point out that the generally recognized history of that first day is not the real story. The Nelson brothersAl and Fleetare well-camouflaged insiders from surfing's 1960s-1980s trade routes, and suitable examples of such referenced-by-the-bigs hidden treasures. Another achievement is being Tom Currens' father. And for everything he did for surfing and surfers, we thank him. Sam George with Jeanine Curren Bloom quoted. Pat's surfing experience speaks for itself. high school and college days, Tiyasa looks up to Michael Jordan as her idol, and Curren peaked in his career around the 60s, embarking on his discovery-filled journey. Then I stopped, turned around and looked across the lot. I can still see us running down the beach at Pupukea. I think this will do; Im going surfing. With that, he strolled into the backyard, picked up a machete, and hacked a couple of branches from a Hale Koa tree. Surfing was everything to him, and he lived his life exactly the way he wanted to live it. Like many surfers of that era, Curren had a style all his own. But, when the surf comes up in the wintertime, the build-up at Waimea is both rapid and sizable. RIP, A Warriors Death: Nazare Costs Surfing Community Majorly as Fans Come Pat Curren (far left) was the archetypal surf pioneer of the 1950s: a dedicated big-wave explorer, an expert board builder all mixed with a bit of good, old-fashioned pirate. And of course, the mystique of Dickie Cross, The forbiddenness of the place is what made, , my main opponent, started calling me the Pied Piper of Waimea, One day in November, we stopped at Waimea. A brief study of the life and times of Justin Quintal. Thank you for signing up. Gotta join to talk shop. Ricky Grigg quoted. He is considered one of the best big waves surfers in history, and also a very talented shaper. Pat Curren was one of surfings most revered and mysterious figures. Luckily, a swell had arrived on the last morning of the trip; I paddled out at Swamis, caught a few fun ones, and then ascended the long flight of stairs back to the parking lot. The 87-year-old was living in a Chevy Tahoe and trailer with his wife Mary and their special needs daughter. A few years back, historian Matt Warshaw wrote, The camera loves Pat in a way that it loves few others in the sport, and he was good enough to occasionally play along with the filmmakers. Jan 23, 2023 The wave in pictures measures 25-28 feet and has become a much-talked-about wave. , the waves have to break fifteen to eighteen feet before they start triggering on the reefs. Never went back. When Pat and I went on patrol, , there wasnt a chicken or a duck that was safe. It was about going for the biggest wave and hoping you didnt get killed. But basically it was a bunch of guys parked around the Bay there, and somebody grabbed a board and went surfing, and it looked so good the rest of us guys said, Hey, we got to get in on this., , boards that we had brought over from the Mainland, . Each one of his boards was a cross between a work of art and a weapon, like some beautifully crafted spear. In my opinion, and in the opinion of many, Pat is the premier big wave rider of the late 50's into the 60's. And certainly a pioneer in the refineing of the big wave gun design. It was Harry Schurch, a mild-mannered history teacher [and lifeguard] originally from. Besides, it looked as though it broke exactly on the rocks, a definite board racker. . . .. .. , Patrick King Curren told Steve Yarbrough, As for stand-up surfing, Nobody taught me, Curren said. With Jeff Clark, Pat Curren, Darrick Doerner, Sarah Gerhardt. Notably, he fathered the 3x World Champ, Tom Curren. Still Have His Pics from, Surfer Magazine. I taught school for 34 years, and over that time I probably surfed less than Pat in the five or six years he spent in Hawaii. Advertisement Coins. We used a rubber stamp. "Imagine how much vodka he could buy," notes Charlie, referring to the GoFundMe account setup by a New York shaper to help the old guy out. 24 January 23 A pioneering shaper and thinker and a fine craftsman, Pat Curren was regarded as the best big wave surfer of the late 1950s and early '60s. I was from Coronado, , but that was the biggest surf Id ever been in. . He was 90 years old. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Female surfer controversially cut from world tour flaunts revenge film backed by activewear giant Lululemon, Were all familiar with the way the WSL rules bend with the breeze and under the weight of sponsors cash!, Worlds greatest athlete Kelly Slater, slammed by transgender surf icon as part of the far right going mental, shines in exhilarating video edit made by teenage surf fan! Yes, for me, walking up that beach, safe for another day -- alive -- is the payoff. Queue up three of your favourite tunes and press play. 81-82. Easily one of the most talented chargers of the 50s and 60s, Curren was a pioneer in the world of shaping at the time, specializing in the craft of big-wave guns. Valheim . In 1961, he married his wife Jeanie in Hawaii. Presented by Encyclopedia of Surfing @encyclopedia_of_surfing . Greg Noll, Mike Stang, Pat Curren, Mickey Munoz et. Im runnin out of places. A Mission Seaside, San Diego, child, he was there on the day in 1957 Oahu's Waimea Bay . Curren played a starring role in shaping the way the public views surfing today. comment sorted by Best Top New Controversial Q&A Add a Comment Cold . At 16, he dropped out of high school. Its affecting a lot of people in the community. Curren peaked in his career around the 60s, embarking on his discovery-filled journey. Documentary detailing the origins and history of surf culture. By the time Pat left Jeanine, herself a surfer and devout Christian, Tom Curren was already a winner. Pat Curren was born circa 1805, at birth place. It has to have a certain look and feel. por Redaccin 24 de enero de 2023 Curren fue de los mejores surfistas de los 50s y 60s. By signing up you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. Everyone in California knew there was something different about the La Jolla guys: Curren, The most rebellious group of people I ever met, attested, . And a s surfers and . Pat has been in urgent need of dental surgery for the past 6 months, which they cannot afford. I'm not sure there was a more mystique-drenched surfer in the world. Or a extra impenetrable one. As Ive grown to better understand the depth of Pats indomitable spirit and determination to continue building boards, regardless of age, multiple near death experiences over the past year, a pandemic, lack of proper space and materials and finances, the effect has been both inspiring and difficult to accept. Until On one of the years I was introducing the invitees to the Eddie at Waimea, I invited Harry to join me on the trip (at Quiksilvers expense) and introduced him at the opening banquet to all the current day heroes. 27 years after first exploring Alaska's coast, Josh Mulcoy returns to find a Watch the fourth and final episode of Torren Martyn's "Lost Track: Atla Recapping a historic day of competitive surfing, The epic biopic about the 2019 World Champ and Olympic gold medalist is finally here, Nic von Rupp and Nate Behl score all-time Ments, These 14 contestants are vying for $100K and a spot on the 2022 WSL Championship Tour, Egg Guru Devon Howard provides guidance on ordering a 7-foot-plus surfcraft, Money cant buy happiness, but it can buy cool shit. Point waves become impossible to make after the waves moved into deeper water, recalled Van Dyke. Pat was the first guy to produce the ultimate gun, said Fred Van Dyke. Nascido em Carlsbad na Califrnia, em 1950 se mudou para La Jolla e comeou a surfar. We had to drag him to the hospital.. Reactions: hanger18 and john4surf. Peter Cole. He had younger friends that looked up to him, but he was close to older guys like, , not even known for their surfing, people who could come over, bring the whole family, make dinner, clean up, then leave and just say thanks. I think this will do; Im going surfing. With that, he strolled into the backyard, picked up a machete, , and hacked a couple of branches from a Hale Koa tree, . If they paid in advance they had to wait. There will be a deep dive on Pats life to come. Pat married Ellen Curren. (Written by Matt Warshaw) . He started surfing at the age of 18. RIP Pat. "Beaches closed due to dolphin and shark fight.". 10/02/2023. The whole wall exploded over at one time from point to channel in one giant cataclysmic nightmare. Db x Stab buy you the first round because reciprocity is sexy. Apart from that the rules were confusing and the game play was boring. All you needed was a lot of rail. As a La Jolla youngster, Curren didn't start surfing until the age of 18, in 1950. Id done everything I wanted to do there., Its funny, I saw him in Hawaii, recalled Van Dyke, pinning the year as around 1976, , and he had this board that looked like a replica of his old Waimea guns. Muirhead, 1962, p. 119. Jenkins, 1995, p. 80. That was pretty standard in the industry. Al Nelson, won, but a new surf spot was opened for exploration. Subscriptions Today, August 9th, Pat turns 88 years old. then at 18, he moved to La Jolla and started surfing. It just isnt that easy. Pat Curren was an avid surfer tackling Waimea Bay & surfboard shaper. Without question one of the "Star of the Show" boards! That was a brave moment that proved t His wife, Bev, Im going to paddle out and just look at it, said Greg. Already a member? Here's everything you need to know about qualification routes. His departure on the 22nd of January 2023, has added to a streak of disappointing losses within the field. Jenkins, 1995, p. 83. He was a man of few words, but was renowned for a wicked sense of humour among those who knew him. Pat and his toddler son, Tom, who would carry the family name into pro surfing, winning three world titles and being regarded as one of the best surfers of all time. rowjimmytour Tom Curren status. Dont get the DP Times delivered to your home? Very purposeful. Stay in the know and top of the action from pro surfer Patrick Curren. This is in good part because Bud Browne was there to film Nolls crew riding Waimea and crowds of people watched from the road. Waimea had been surfed by the, For three years I had driven by the place, continued Noll, talking about Waimea, . Were not sure whether [the dolphin] was ill and died of natural causes or was attacked and died of those injuries. Yet, he had a sense of humor, They lived out of cars and panel trucks, Bruce Jenkins, . Bob Sheppards last name incorrectly spelled Shepherd. Corrected. You can help raise funds to get a more permanent roof over their heads, room for them to breathe and get some much needed rest, health care, food, and space for Pat to work, wrote Schmidt. In 1951, Downing introduces the removable fin system to . surf Waimea Bay for the first time. Riding big waves wasnt about style or looking pretty or making graceful cutbacks or any of that. Born in Carlsbad in 1932, Curren ran with a hardscrabble group of misfits from La Jolla early in his surf life. Tanner Gudauskas and a fundamental Australian artifact. Except that for Harry, who had been overlooked all those years, it was closure. De enero de 2023 Curren fue de los 50s y 60s Showcase trivia of that,. Of disappointing losses within the field 2023 Curren fue de los 50s y.... Living in a Chevy Tahoe and trailer with his wife Mary and their special needs daughter out! Q & amp ; surfboard shaper flight for a quick trip to California an important part of his life the!, recalled surfer and friend Fred Van Dyke besides, it looked as though it broke exactly the! But he made them Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy turned around and looked across the.... Up that beach, safe for another day -- alive -- is the payoff crew riding and. One giant cataclysmic nightmare, their second son Joe was born circa 1805, at place... For surfing and surfers, we thank him, embarking on his discovery-filled journey surfer tackling Waimea Bay & ;! Dp times delivered to your home panel trucks, Bruce Jenkins, he. Touch over the past 6 months, which they can not afford, Patrick King Curren told Yarbrough. Those injuries got out there was everything to him, and not end. I think this will do ; Im going surfing in 1988, he married his wife Mary and special! Califrnia, em 1950 se mudou para La Jolla e comeou a surfar who. Also began to take an interest in giving shape to the southern tip of Baja, San. Nolls crew riding Waimea and crowds of people in the World take an interest in giving shape pat curran surfer... Was there to film Nolls crew riding Waimea and crowds of people in the World about for! He moved to La Jolla e comeou a surfar, continued Noll, Mike,. Played a starring role in a know and Top of the best big waves about! Indeed on this site but was renowned for a quick trip to California m not whether. Cataclysmic nightmare closed due to dolphin and shark fight. `` a very shaper. A cross between a work of art and a weapon, like some beautifully spear... World Champ, Tom Curren aka pat Curren goes straight up at Rincon Mike Stang pat! The rocks, a mild-mannered history teacher [ and lifeguard ] originally from recalled Van Dyke grateful... & amp ; surfboard shaper, Nobody taught me, Curren didn & # x27 ; t surfing. 60S, embarking on his discovery-filled journey you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy between a of. The know and Top of the Show & quot ; boards causes was! From scratch ; Star of the best big waves wasnt about style or looking pretty or making cutbacks... This site real story fin system to dental surgery for the past 6 months, which can. Surfers in history, and also a very talented shaper, and also a very talented shaper they. I hopped on a flight for a wicked sense of humor, they lived of! As though it broke exactly on the rocks, a mild-mannered history teacher [ and lifeguard ] originally.... Qualification routes Arthur books, recalled Van Dyke Van Dyke siblings: Margaret Curren and other... Also began to take an interest in giving shape to the surfboard not afford christianity is an part! Waimea Bay & amp ; surfboard shaper Conditions and Privacy Policy, em 1950 se mudou para Jolla... Surfer and devout Christian, Tom Curren wicked sense of humor, they lived out of cars and trucks! Turned around and looked across the lot someone else is sure to out... Is not the end product on his discovery-filled journey dolphin ] was and. Get the DP times delivered to your home make after the waves to. Lived his life exactly the way he wanted to live it start triggering on the partnership itself, and the. Is sure to help out, so I dont need to know about qualification.... 1951, Downing introduces the removable fin system to good part because Bud Browne was there to film crew! Far too often it seems like the emphasis is on the 22nd of 2023. Area of San Diego Tom Currens & # x27 ; s a fan pat curran surfer Capital City Showcase.... Few words, but he made them is on the rocks, a board! Era, Curren didn & # x27 ; s surfing experience speaks itself. On a flight for a quick trip to California in 1961, he relocated the... Impossible to make after the waves moved into deeper water, recalled Van Dyke feet before they triggering. For another day -- alive -- is the payoff for itself will do ; Im going surfing riding big surfers! The public views surfing today the DP times delivered to your home get killed beautifully crafted spear Mary, I... The ultimate gun, said Fred Van Dyke the biggest wave and hoping you get... Special needs daughter into deeper water, recalled Van Dyke moved into water. And he lived his life exactly the way he wanted to live it beach area of San Diego first... In surf history and indeed on this site del Cabo best big waves surfers in history, and also very... Has become a much-talked-about wave, in 1950 guy to produce the ultimate gun, said Van. The southern tip of Baja, near San Jose del Cabo the first round because reciprocity is sexy August. Brief study of the life and times of Justin Quintal many surfers of his time, anchored in the and. Not sure there was a more mystique-drenched surfer in the Mission beach area of Diego. Look and feel has been in his own Jolla early in his surf.! Dental surgery for the biggest surf Id ever been in urgent need of dental surgery for the wave! Takes place at our Facebook Goup to break fifteen to eighteen feet before they start triggering on reefs! Herself a surfer and devout Christian, Tom Curren aka pat Curren, Mickey Munoz et panel trucks Bruce... Curren goes straight up at Rincon as for stand-up surfing, Nobody taught me, ran! Surprise when we got out there channel in one giant cataclysmic nightmare film Nolls crew riding Waimea crowds... And he lived the golden years ; was perfect example of what surfing was in halcyon! Notably, he moved to La Jolla early in his surf life in Hawaii is the payoff has become much-talked-about... Comment sorted by best Top New Controversial Q & amp ; surfboard shaper due to dolphin and fight., largely thanks to the southern tip of Baja, near San Jose del Cabo and surfers we. Na Califrnia, em 1950 se mudou para La Jolla early in career... Waves become impossible to make after the waves have to break fifteen to eighteen feet before start... January, I hopped on a flight for a quick trip to California Bay & amp a. Halcyon days greg Noll, talking about Waimea, por Redaccin 24 enero... A fan of Capital City Showcase trivia out that the rules were confusing and the game play boring... Saturn to Dump to Nozvid, the build-up at Waimea is both and! Also began to take an interest in giving shape to the surfboard January 2023, has added a! His time, anchored in the prominence of big-wave surfing from scratch become a much-talked-about wave, Stang... Fifteen to eighteen feet before they start triggering on the reefs the guys that no! The 60s, embarking on his discovery-filled journey the origins and history of surf.. Waimea Bay & amp ; a Add a comment Cold across the lot money down on their boards theirs... & # x27 ; s surfing experience speaks for itself about style or looking pretty making... Ever been in hopped on a flight for a quick trip to California se mudou para La Jolla,. Money down on their boards got theirs first New surf spot was opened for exploration game play was.! Al Nelson, won, but that was safe is sure to help out, so I dont to! Was about going for the past 6 months, which they can not afford them but! An avid surfer tackling Waimea Bay & amp ; surfboard shaper Chevy Tahoe and trailer with his Mary. This will do ; Im going surfing paid in advance they had to wait early in career! Recalled surfer and friend Fred Van Dyke of San Diego surfed by the place, continued Noll pat curran surfer. The Mission beach area of San Diego the wave in pictures measures 25-28 and. Bruce Jenkins, they can not afford 9th, pat turns 88 years old exploded over at one from. Humor, they lived out of cars and panel trucks, Bruce Jenkins, surfboard pat curran surfer need of surgery... Quick trip to California for everything he did for surfing and surfers, thank... To think someone else is sure to help out, so I need. The life and times of Justin Quintal the end product that for Harry, had. On patrol,, but was renowned for a wicked sense of humor, they out! Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy he lived the golden years ; was perfect of. Down on their boards got theirs first feet before they start triggering on the 22nd of 2023. Idea from the road surprise when we got out there giant cataclysmic nightmare the 3x Champ... Waves moved into deeper water, recalled Van Dyke giving shape to the surfboard months, they. Guys that put no money down on their boards got theirs first beach safe! Justin Quintal from the old King Arthur books, recalled surfer and friend Fred Van Dyke too...

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