There was a Hawaiian style paddle-out in memory of well known surfer & shaper Carl Hayward at the “South Side” of the HB pier today. Carl passed away last week at the age of 48 while surfing the same spot where the memorial was held. It was a perfect day for it, with over 200 participants in the water, and nearly three times as many lining the railing of the pier. I’ve put a photo gallery of the event online [since taken offline], but the pictures just don’t do it justice. You simply had to be there to get the full emotional experience of it. I’m humbled to have been able to play a small part in it.
Personally, I never got to meet Carl, but I’m lucky enough to know a few people who were close to him. His influence in the local surfing community is evident by the huge turnout today. Our condolences go out to his surviving family.
Once you’ve finished looking at the gallery photos, why not drop over to the memorial site [since taken offline too] as well? It reflects a man who touched the lives of many, and will be missed by even more. Special thanks go out to Carl’s sister Susan for letting me know about the site.
About Jim Mitchell
In 78 I was not much better than an average surfer and a “North side” local at HB pier. In 79 that all changed when I got my hands on a 5’10″ Carl Hayward Rocket fish. Suddenly I was surfing faster and doing deeper harder carves than ever. If you could see it in your mind, the Rocket fish could do it!
Without question Carl’s expertise with this design made me a MUCH better surfer than I had EVER been.
I spent the entire year (79) riding his boards and entered my first amateur WSA contests. I pretty much made the finals of every contest and managed to win 4 or 5 of them that year.
Then in late 79 Carl comes to me and says he thinks I am ready to go “pro”, that he wants to sponsor me and asks me to surf on his team in the 1980 Katin Pro-Am team challenge. Oh and BTW the team will consist of Carl, Mike Rice and the legendary David Nuuhiwa!
I remember trying to remain all cool and nonchalant outside. But inside, I was going friggin crazy!!! This was a dream come true! I made it through a few heats and in the next 4 years had a blast working for Carl (and Dwight Dunn) surfing contests and riding his amazing shapes. I remember how supportive and proud he was after my best contest result in 82. That year I rode one of his Rocket Fishes to 5th place in California Stubbies trials. I beat a number of great surfers in man on man heats that brought me too a showdown with Tom Curren who had just turned pro. Of course Tom beat me (soundly!…LOL) in two straights heats…………..but wow! What great moment that was.
I look back on those years with great fondness. The two of us traveled together numerous times for contests. I was a pretty heavy party guy back then and Carl was always the voice of moderation. He never judged me for my life style, but always cautioned about the pitfalls. Of course he was right and I my only wish is that he could see the mellow (sober 9 yrs) successful family man that I have become. I have no doubt he would be more proud of that than any surf contest result. Carl had a way influencing people simply by the way he treated us. He was truly a great man and will missed dearly by all of us. I offer my sincere and heartfelt condolences to his wife Coleen and all his family and friends. God bless…………………….Bill Ward Haleiwa, Hawaii
Bill,
Wow. What an awesome recollection. I can’t even form the words to tell you how touching your memories are. Thanks so much for sharing them.
I have to say it’s the closeness and openness of the locals that drew us to HB seven years ago. I honestly don’t think I could live anywhere else anymore (and I’ve lived in plenty different places).
Your story moved me to put the photos of the paddle out back up. Thanks again for sharing.
Bill, As i sit here waiting for our youngest son Shaun to come home from school, i have run across your post! These are the days i cherish and believe GOD and Carl are always there watching over us. Somedays the missing of Carl overwhelms me still, and in my despair someone or something reminds me of him, and things seem alright again…I am filled with the memories of this man and the love he gave the boys and i to fill the rest of my lifetime,noone else will ever move my soul the way this man did…and i am grateful for our many years in love together,thankyou for loving Carl the way so many have,Carl is definatly proud of you Bill, me too!! We love u still.Always Colleen Hayward