3 to be inducted into Surfers’ Hall of Fame

Three local men will officially become part of surfing history Friday when they are inducted into the Surfers’ Hall of Fame in Huntington Beach.

Ryan Turner, Shawn Stussy and Blaine “Sumo” Sato will leave their handprints and footprints in wet cement on historical Main Street during a ceremony starting at 9:30 a.m. in front of Huntington Surf & Sport.

Since 1997, the Surfers’ Hall of Fame has paid tribute to people who have made their mark on the surfing world, including Jack O’Neill, Bob Hurley and Kelly Slater.

“We are extremely stoked and honored to induct these three Huntington surf legends,” said Surfers’ Hall of Fame founder Aaron Pai in a news release, referring to Turner, Stussy and Sato.

Turner, whose family owns the Sugar Shack restaurant on Main Street, is one of 10 backside barrel riders in the world. He has competed in places like Australia, Hawaii, Mexico and Indonesia.

His brother, filmmaker Timmy Turner, was inducted into the Surfers’ Hall of Fame in 2014.

Pai described Turner as the “best unknown surfer in the world” and a low-key, big-wave charger, “one of the greatest to come from our town of Huntington.”

Stussy, founder of apparel brand Stussy Inc., began surfing in Huntington Beach in the late 1960s just as the sport was gaining recognition in music and movies, the release said. By 13, he began designing his own boards, eventually working for shaper Chuck Dent in Huntington Beach and Russell Surfboard in Newport Beach before launching his own clothing business in 1980.

Sato, a longtime surfer, founded H20 Community Church in the city with pro surfer Brad Ettinger and his family in 2011.

He said he often leads services at his home, a setting where people who are uncomfortable in a traditional church can feel comfortable, Diane Sato, the pastor’s wife, has been quoted as saying.

Sato also serves as the chaplain for the city’s Marine Safety Division.