Terry “Tubesteak” Tracy, the legendary Malibu surfer who reportedly kicked off Hollywood’s love affair with surfing by loaning Kathy Kohner “a surfboard in exchange for a peanut butter sandwich” has died, according to a story in the OC Register. He was 77 years old.
As he told the Register in 2002, he took to sleeping on the beach at Malibu in the mid 1950s and built a wooden shack that included palm fronds and thatched bamboo mat. He lived in it for two years, holding court there as many of the best surfers of the day would surf at Malibu. A girl appeared one day at the shack – which eventually was bulldozed – and she wanted to surf, Tracy said. The girl reminded Tracy of a short girl he’d once met at a party, named Gidget. He said he told this newcomer to the shack that he’d loan her a surfboard in return for a peanut butter sandwich she was carrying. He took to calling her Gidget.
The girl’s father wrote the book Gidget and we all know the rest of the story. Tracy later became a fixture at San Onofre beach. According to the story he “died peacefully at his home Wednesday.” Our thoughts are with his family and friends.
On August 11, 2012 the Paul Mitchell Supergirl Pro wrapped up at the Oceanside, California Pier with 21-year-old Sage Erickson in the top spot. We missed the entire event, and we’re guessing we’re not alone. So here it is all compacted down into three minutes.
A little over a month ago, when we first got the news that Dane Reynolds would be inducted in to the Surfers’ Hall of Fame, our first question was, “For what?” Not in a disrespectful way, but more in a “what, are John John Florence and Kolohe Andino next?” kind of way.
Now, as is often the case with the chronically cool Reynolds, we discover that he pretty much agrees.
“I don’t really know what it means (to get inducted) but I’m honored for sure, especially so young,” Reynolds said. “I don’t feel that deserving of it but I’m stoked. It’s definitely an honor.”
See, no matter how you come at him, the guy is totally hate-proof.
The story of Sal Masekela’s relationship with his musician father Hugh could be hitting the big screen in a feature film from Olympic Pictures and Paul Haggis, according to a story on Deadline.com.
South African filmmaker Mukunda Michael Dewil has been hired to write and direct the film. The project follows a son emerging out of the shadow of his successful but troubled father set against a backdrop of music, surfing, and South Africa’s racism. The untitled Masekela project will be produced by Leslie Urdang and Dean Vanech of Olympus Pictures, Haggis and Michael Nozik of Hwy 61 Films, and Selema Masekela.
We’re looking forward to this one if only to see the Hollywood version of Sal’s autobiography.
Judge James Black, while acknowledging Fox’s mental illness, said he was a danger to the public and a longer sentence was needed. . . “The public cannot rely on this offender either being compliant with his medication or with him not aggravating his condition by consuming illegal drugs.” . . Judge Black jailed Fox for a total of four years but ordered him to be released on parole in December next year.
That’s the good news. The bad news is that he has already served 600 days and will be released on parole in December of 2013. Hopefully he’ll stay on his “anti-psychotic medication” when he gets out.
Unbeknownst to us Peter King, the pro surfer, former MTV personality, and photographer, is back in the TV hosting game with a reality show for the Outdoor Channel called Project Dominion.
Along with co-host MMA fighter Jamie Toney, and Dennis Deutsch, PK reportedly goes along on hunting and fishing trips and then comes back to tell us all about it. As much as we love watching PK on camera, we’re not sure we’re going to be able to sit through much of this. Check it out yourself.
We’ve heard all kinds of horror stories from the Wavehouse in San Diego, but rarely have we heard anything about the more mellow Flowriders like the one at Raging Waters in San Dimas, California. That is until we saw these photos of Katy Perry getting the blow off in the Daily Mail.
Kind of reminds us of something that happened to Bruce Irons once at Teahupoo. . . This is the before photo, follow the jump for the after. . . [click to continue…]
The waiting period from the 2012 Billabong Pro Tahiti opens today (August 16, 2012) and though most tour surfers are probably still recovering from the 2012 US Open, it appears that it’s go time. The call for today will be made at 9:45 AM PST or 6:45 AM local time. Michel Bourez is apparently ready.
“For me, I treat this event like any other,” Bourez said. “Sure, there is an advantage to growing up here and having an event here. I’m comfortable out at Teahupo’o, but the guys in the Top 34 are all very good. Every heat is a challenge and I’m taking every round seriously.”
Up first at Teahupoo will be John John Florence, Miguel Pupo, and Patrick Gudauskas. For the official word from the ASP follow the jump. [click to continue…]
Few things in life go together better than ice hockey and surfing. That’s apparently why Quiksilver has announced a new merchandising agreement with the National Hockey League to produce “co-branded board shorts” (puck shorts?), according to a story on SportsPro.com.
“We are excited to extend the reach of our Quiksilver brand in partnership with the NHL,” said Quiksilver Americas executive vice president Steve Tully. “Hockey fans in the US and Canada will now have the opportunity to experience Quiksilver’s iconic product category — boardshorts— in collaboration with their favourite NHL teams.”
According to NHL VP of Cosumer Products Jim Haskins, “The NHL boardshorts line will feature Quiksilver’s signature mix of surf and skate-inspired colours and styles designed for the young NHL fan.”
First the NFL, now the NHL? At this rate Quik’s next agreement will probably be with NASCAR and be distributed in Walmart. Just think of the revenue that deal would generate?
Julian Wilson couldn’t believe his week at the 2012 US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach, California. Especially the part about edging Slater Slayer Miguel Pupo in the final on Sunday, August, 5, 2012.
“I felt like I was just building house the whole event,” Wilson said. “I really had to fight for it every heat in the dying minutes and those heats always feel good. I wouldn’t say I peaked in the final but I got a good start and got two good waves.” . . . “I’m over the moon,” Wilson said. “I got a really good start and my hat goes off to Miguel (Pupo) he’s deadly. I knew he was going to be hunting those lefts the whole heat and I just tried to apply a bit of pressure on him. He got that 8.93 and was right back in the heat with plenty of time left. There weren’t that many opportunities out there but it came down to the last minute and I had to just pray there wasn’t one behind it.”
On the women’s side 17-year-old Lakey Peterson, stayed on her dominating ways all week to edge former world champion Carissa Moore.
“I don’t even know what to say – I’m speechless,” Peterson said. “The Final was really slow and I was pretty bummed because I wish we both could have got some really good waves. I’m so stoked and I really wanted to win on a high note.”
For the complete results and official word from the ASP follow the jump. [click to continue…]
Terry “Tubesteak” Tracy, the legendary Malibu surfer who reportedly kicked off Hollywood’s love affair with surfing by loaning Kathy Kohner “a surfboard in exchange for a peanut butter sandwich” has died, according to a story in the OC Register. He was 77 years old.
