Surfing Walk of Fame Catches a Wave

Wave riding enthusiasts dedicated a Surfing Walk of Fame on Saturday to pay homage to the sport’s pioneers, competitors and culture.

“I take great pride in being able to say I’m the best surfer in the United States Congress,” Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Huntington Beach), an avid surfer, told about 100 people gathered under sunny skies for the ceremony.

“Of course, some people do point out that I’m the only surfer in the U.S. Congress,” said Rohrabacher, who surfs here frequently and has set up his reelection campaign office in the back of a surf shop.

With surf music by the Chantays blaring from speakers, the crowd gathered at Jack’s Surfboards at Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway to dedicate the walk, even though the first inductions will not be held until August.

Sidewalk plaques will feature the image of a surfer and honorees’ names. Winners will be selected in four categories: surf pioneers, surf champions, surf culture and local heroes.

Selected by sport representatives, the first inductions will be announced during the U.S. Open of Surfing. The late Hawaiian surfing pioneer, Duke Kahanamoku, also will be honored.

“There is no doubt that this is ‘Surf City USA’ and Surf City worldwide,” Mayor Linda Moulton-Patterson said.

A mix of professional and amateur surfers and residents were on hand, including former world champion Peter Townend, who helped organize the walk of fame.

“Too often, people who have contributed to any sport are completely forgotten,” Townend said.

Several surfers, straddling their boards, bobbed amid the swells off Huntington Pier and looked seaward in search of the next big wave.

“I used to surf but I don’t much anymore,” said Chris Byrne, a 26-year resident of Huntington Beach, who attended with his wife, Debbie. “Surfing is so much a part of Huntington Beach we wanted to check this out.”