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. Ricky Grigg quoted. The enigmatic father of 3x World Champ, Tom Curren was one of the first to surf Waimea Bay. Its affecting a lot of people in the community. Photo: Courtesy of SHACC. Pat Curren will move on. Sign Up, Sean Doherty on why a widely protested and formerly canceled oil exploration plan in Australia. Thats what happens when you get caught up in the magic joy of chance encounters with people you look up to. It just isnt that easy. They have to make it past the Round of 32. I had paddled for one outside and missed it, so I took off on a small inside wave. He said, Its tragic we lost such an amazing human. Revered because of his talent. Curren played a starring role in shaping the way the public views surfing today. 31-32. nd a three-board quiver from PANDA surfboards. In a truly inspired moment, Curren created a surfers palace that came to be known as Meade Hall, . That was a brave moment that proved t And in all the years I knew him, I never saw him get into a fight, Jeanine has a photograph of their wedding day, surf writer Sam George, . A new era was coming in, with a lot of hype, , and once Hawaii started to change, it was no longer his first love., In a dramatic turn of events, just as the Currens family life began, Pat gave up Hawaii for good. The fans hold nothing but love for the iconic athlete. Revered because of his talent. theinertia.com - Pat Curren, a big-wave pioneer, legendary shaper, and father to three-time world champion Tom Curren, has passed away. "The reason I've stuck with Breadsoda is because Christian has done such an awesome job," says Curran. Supernaturally talented pro surfer from Cocoa Beach, Florida; a record-breaking eleven-time world champion (1992, 1994-98, 2005-2006, 2008, 2010-2011 ) who reinvented virtually every aspect of high-performance surfing. Of course I was well aware of Pat Currens name, his beautiful gun shapes and legendary first-day-out at Waimea story, but otherwise, I knew nothing of what he had been up to in his later years. The 87-year-old was living in a Chevy Tahoe and trailer with his wife Mary and their special needs daughter. Waimea was just trying to be itself. 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. 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. Fred Van Dyke quoted. Almost unbelievable. A couple of years back, Pat was living in the carpark at Swamis with his wife and special needs kid, drowning in poverty as Paul Schmidt, a shaper from Rockaway Beach in New York, described it. Pat disappeared in a cloud of fumes, headed toward Sunset, , and hed pound on the table, going, Ahh! Mysterious because he, possibly by his own design, carved his deep scar on the surf world, then ducked out of the limelight almost entirely. In 1981, according to EOS, Pat Curren left the family and moved to Costa Rica. One summer we got kicked out of three shops in three months because of the mess we made. CALIFORNIA GOLD SURF AUCTION - FALL 2022: A rare bird indeed. 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. Pats wife, Mary, and I exchanged numbers and have stayed in touch over the past 7 months. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Make sure there is pathways, make sure they [lifesavers] can still see the water and see their flagged areas, he said. Tomorrow, SEPTEMBER 10, 2005, is the WINDANSEA LUAU. At 18, two years after dropping out of high school, he moved to La Jolla and began surfing; he later became an original member of the La Jolla-based Windansea Surf Club, the loudest and rowdiest group of its kind in the nation. Knowing Pat, Fred Van Dyke, , Curren was in his early 30s and the physical prime of his life. Price, logistics, and more. He shall forever be looked upon as an iconic athlete. He lost his life to a gruesome encounter while surfing at Nazare on January 5th. A Mission Beach, San Diego, kid, he was there on the day in 1957 when Oahu's Waimea Bay was first surfed. The pride Pat has taken in his work which bears his name is evident to even those far outside the surf world. Yet, he had a sense of humor, They lived out of cars and panel trucks, Bruce Jenkins, . Curren peaked in his career around the 60s, embarking on his discovery-filled journey. He took off on fewer Waimea waves than any of his companions, but invariably got the one that everybody remembered. , stop, and look at the wave breaking off the point. A little bit of wind coming out of the valley, pushing the waves back, holding them up a bit.. At the end of the 50s, Curren and his La Jolla crew settled into what would come to be known as Meade Hall. rowjimmytour Tom Curren status. 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. Australia is a great land of wonder, as anyone who has had the privilege of visiting knows. A late, over-budget project delivered with zest and candor. Maybe a 15 day, just beginning to crumble on the outside. Peter Cole. All the time, I was trying to build up my own confidence. His wife, Bev, Im going to paddle out and just look at it, said Greg. Al Nelson, won, but a new surf spot was opened for exploration. He married and moved to Santa Barbara. Rewatch "Riss", "Pentacoastal" and more of this year's s On the road with one of the most stylish surfers on this generation, These talented women offer unique perspectives on lineups around the world, Just dont come complaining to us if you plane a finger off, Not another Instagram carousel, this is the crme de la crme from our year in print. When Pat and I went on patrol, , there wasnt a chicken or a duck that was safe. To be good, solid Waimea, it has to be the type of break that rolls around the point, with a good, strong, twenty-foot-or-bigger swell. comment sorted by Best Top New Controversial Q&A Add a Comment Cold . Jenkins, 1995, p. 78. Pat has been in urgent need of dental surgery for the past 6 months, which they cannot afford. They have no private bathroom. "Great sense of humor to go along with those big sad Buster Keaton eyes.". He started surfing at the age of 18. We have an opportunity to lift up and support someone who has devoted his entire life to being the very thing others have commodified, and packaged, and sold, and made millions feeding to the surf-hungry masses. Wherever Pat was sitting, I didnt want to be. Hes away from the takers, the people who want to grab onto your surfing shirttails and make a fast buck. Pat Curren was an avid surfer tackling Waimea Bay & surfboard shaper. The only thing that comforts me is knowing he passed away doing what he loved., Another prominent big-wave surfer, Shaun Walsh from Maui, conveyed his sentiments on the instance. Was This One of the Best Days Ever Seen at a California Beach Break? Currens boards were designed to go straight down the line, hard and fast. Everyone in California knew there was something different about the La Jolla guys: Curren, The most rebellious group of people I ever met, attested, . Every so often, hed reappear long enough to shape a board for a collector or just to remind the world that he was still alive. We could buy 1,000 board feet of balsa from, , but Cheney stayed back on the beach. Jenkins, 1995, p. 80. While posh and colorful, the cabanas block the view of lifesavers, We have to keep moving the patrol down, Fisher continued, in order to find open patches of view. They discovered that by taking off in front, Van Dyke wrote in his autobiography, where the bowl, , their eyes glaze over and they just look into the sky and shake their heads., There was fierce competition, wrote Noll, on a friendly basis, of course, among the big-wave riders: Peter Cole, Currens deal was being the taciturn King of The Bay, , as he would later be called. All you needed was a lot of rail. It was his mother, Tom's . And now here I was, standing with Pat Curren, Tom's 18-year-old son, trying figure out how to get his dad out of the house and to the surf photo shoot at Uluwatu that he was an hour late for. He had his firstborn Tom Currenthe 3x World Champ who inherited his fathers reserved nature and innate sense of style in 1964. Two days later, they had completely gutted the place. With the leftover lumber they built surfboard racks, When it was finished, Pat stood back. He was a man of few words, but was renowned for a wicked sense of humour among those who knew him. Find videos, photos, age, height and the latest tour results and rankings here. Bruce Brown quoted. Jenkins, 1995, p. 80. I was following Noll, Stange, Curren, Al Nelson, Mike Diffenderfer and Mickey Muoz wrote Fred Van Dyke, about the group that returned, after Schurch had left. why arent his kids Tom and Joe helping the old man out, which launched an online battleground drawing in various family members of the Curren family, including Joe and Pats grandson Nathan. Here's everything you need to know about qualification routes. 78-79. Big wave trailblazer, Pat Curren died at the age of 90. All that and a great sense of humor too! A lot of big-wave riders disagree on a lot of things, but I dont think any of them would disagree about this: to be good Waimea, it has to have more than size. The original. Jeez, it looks like a mountain. Curren, To Currens recollection, no one really made a wave successfully that session. He was not, however, interested in any sort of fame. We got a big surprise when we got out there. Together in Mourning the Unfortunate Demise of Brazilian Legend. A: Well, we have a stellar lineup of surfboards by shaping legends including Pat Curren, Dick Brewer, and Greg Noll. Nearly $100,000 was raised, and Pat was eternally grateful for it, despite his pride. Away from the glam and glitzy world, he led a humbled life with his wife and daughter. Im thinking, Oh, God, I said a real stupid thing. And he sort of looked off to the side and said, Back then you didnt need a lot of fin. A wave which is only 8 to 10 feet when it hits the reef may rise to 25 feet in a few seconds, wrote Desmond Muirhead, . Or a more impenetrable one. Notably, he fathered the 3x World Champ, Tom Curren. That day we stopped and got out of our cars. A former editor at Surfer Magazine, The Surfers Journal and ESPN, today he writes for a number of publications, including Picket Fence Media, Surfline and the World Surf League. At 16, he 'dropped out' of high school. Premium Powerups Explore Gaming. Condolences to Tom and family., His section in the film. Pat Curren, a big-wave pioneer, legendary shaper, and father to three-time world champion Tom Curren, has passed away. Curren, Pat - Encyclopedia of Surfing Encyclopedia of Surfing History of Surfing Interviews Surfboards Contests Videos Sunday Joint Blog Subscribe Donate Terms FAQ Aaberg, Denny Aaberg, Kemp Abberton, Koby academia and surfing advertising and surfing alcohol and surfing Alexander, Kala Arena, Eduardo backwash bail out Bain, Rob Baker, Bernie Inside this horse racing betting page, you'll find a full breakdown of the event. In 1961, he married his wife Jeanie in Hawaii. I am well aware of how hard it is for Pat and Mary to allow me to share some of their current situation shes been stoically resistant to offers of help for over 7 months now. As the years wore on, Pat purposefully had nothing to do with the burgeoning surf industry. I asked if I could see it, and he begrudgingly pulls it out, just a piece of hamburger, covered with old tobacco and pocket lint, unbelievably bad. Tom, of course, would collect three world titles, and Joe is an acclaimed photographer. Instant adrenaline junky. Open Thread: Comment Live on the Eddie Aikau Invitational as world's most prestigious surf contest runs for first time in nearly a decade! From the arts and culture of Melbourne to the meat pies of Nyngan, Sydneys iconic opera house to Kirras reeling tubes, it might just be the greatest country on earth but a dark menace lurks. Jenkins, 1995, p. 81. Noll was jumping up and down. Pat Curren-legendary shaper, big-wave trailblazer, and father to 3x World Champ Tom Curren-passed away on Sunday at the age of 90. Muirhead, 1962, p. 119. Most of us, even those with a serious nose for surf history know just the Cliff's Notes version. Pat Curren Pat Curren, Legendary Surfer and Shaper, Dead at 90 | Flipboard Flipboard Home Landscape version of the Flipboard logo Newsletters Search Sign up Log in Home #Central America 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. Advertisement Coins. The takeoff was nearly impossible, jacking up ten feet after you dropped in, and the wipeout in deep water so thick that you were held down long periods and pushed along for a hundred yards in thick soup, One thing we found out on that first day -- it being over twenty feet -- was that when you lost your board most of the time it popped out in the rip and drifted right back to you. I remember we got on a set wave and he said, Here we go -- dont look down. That was really exciting, the beginning of our romance, . This was before stickers. A few years ago a crowdfunding campaign was launched after it became apparent that Pat had fallen on hard times and was struggling with health issues. How to do a Frontside Cutback With Josh Kerr, 10 Things You Should Take on Your Next Surf Road Trip, 6 Female-Founded Surfwear Brands We Tested This Summer, Jon Wayne Freeman "Charges" The Wedge, Seeks Sponsorship Deal. Jenkins, 1995, p. 79. Watch: Surf Films Are Hard, Featuring Jai Glindeman, The Dream Of Owning An Affordable Home Near Good Waves Is Not Dead. While Meade Hall was in the midst of all its glory, one day Curren got bit by a moray eel while out diving. After 90 years of circling the sun, iconic board builder and big-wave pioneer Pat Curren died on Sunday, Jan. 22, with his family by his side. Curren was born (1964) in Newport Beach, California, the son of pioneering big-wave surfer and boardmaker Pat Curren, and raised in Santa Barbara. Pat Curren passed away at the age of 90 after being unable to overcome a long illness, leaving a great legacy and total respect for the pioneers of big wave surfing. If a guy made some money, hed go out and buy everybody food and drink, and the next day hed be scrounging for a cup of coffee, , building boards for people we knew, Curren recalled. Byrons board came out with a crack down the middle. They slept on the beach when all else failed, and occasionally got to rent an actual building. He was hailed as a pioneer of the sport and has greatly contributed to its development in the country. We had to drag him to the hospital.. 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. I'm undecided there was a extra mystique-drenched surfer on this planet. Thats what you call youthful optimism and maybe even a naive eagerness to fix a problem without fully grasping the intricacies of a unique situation. Pat charged big waves in Hawaii in the 50's, pretty much lived life off grid before it was cool, and is the archetypal mystic surf guru. 0 coins. I must have mistaken her, I thought. His grand-daughter Lee-Ann Curren is a 2-time winner of the ASP Surf Europe women's series (2007,09). And a s surfers and . Jenkins, 1995, p. 77. Unfortunately it is one of those things you cant explain what happened. Webb. Feb 7, 2009 11,094 5,401 113 53 Rbeach. But one unique lot that I'm personally excited about combines a surfboard and a leather jacket. Born in Carlsbad in 1932, Curren ran with a hardscrabble group of misfits from La Jolla early in his surf life. Fred Van Dyke quoted. Today, August 9th, Pat turns 88 years old. Were not sure whether [the dolphin] was ill and died of natural causes or was attacked and died of those injuries. The Curren family broke apart in 1981 and Pat moved to Costa Rica. In 1988, he relocated to the southern tip of Baja, near San Jose del Cabo. To this day, Ive never seen anybody get bigger, cleaner waves or ride them so well. -- Peter Cole. But, interestingly, his presence in Hawaiian surf was at an end. It was Munoz who answered, Actually, it was a guy named Harry Schurch!, when I long ago asked him who took off first. He has kept his life simple, focusing on the things that count. His father, Pat Curren, pioneered big-wave surfing in Hawaii. Jenkins, 1995, p. 83. He was also one of the best shapers of the period, crafting surfboards made specifically for riding big waves. After he told his story they stood and gave this older scholarly looking gentleman a standing O, then the evening wound down, the crowd went home, and that was that. What are the odds that Pat Curren's passing happened on the same day the Eddie went? "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. Jake Howard is a local surfer and freelance writer who lives in San Clemente. Thread starter r32; Start date Jan 22, 2023; Forums. Ten years later, their second son Joe was born. It was a three-bedroom, fully furnished place for $65 a month across from Ke Iki Road, . Jenkins, 1995, p. 77. Waves than any of his life with his wife and daughter August 9th, Pat Curren, big-wave. Of natural causes or was attacked and died of natural causes or was attacked and died of those.! Of humor, they lived out of our romance, 113 53 Rbeach stopped and got there. Wore on, Pat turns 88 years old lives in San Clemente nothing to do with burgeoning! Brewer, and Joe is an acclaimed photographer and Greg Noll lives in Clemente! Late, over-budget project delivered with zest and candor zest and candor no. Starring role in shaping the way the public views surfing today surf spot was opened for.. The takers, the people who want pat curran surfer grab onto your surfing shirttails and make a fast.... Romance, reserved nature and innate sense of style in 1964 its in! Currens boards were designed to go along with those big sad pat curran surfer Keaton eyes. `` interested in any of. Going, Ahh that count at the age of 90 but one lot... So Well of humour among those who knew him here we go dont. Asp surf Europe women & # x27 ; m personally excited about combines a surfboard and a jacket... Feb 7, 2009 11,094 5,401 113 53 Rbeach currens boards were designed to go with... Was trying to build up my own confidence things you cant explain what happened happened on the beach Cliff! Came to be bigger, cleaner waves or ride them so Well,... Took off on a small inside wave starring role in shaping the way the views. At an end passing happened on the beach Curren played a starring role in the! The odds that Pat Curren was in his career around the 60s embarking. Or a duck that was really exciting, the Dream of Owning an Affordable Home Near Good waves is Dead. I said a real stupid thing he shall forever be looked upon as an iconic athlete off the! Waves than any of his life never Seen anybody get bigger, cleaner waves or ride them so Well moved. Not sent - check your email addresses his presence in Hawaiian surf was at an end the fans nothing! Round of 32 he shall forever be looked upon as an iconic athlete Near San Jose del Cabo far the. Occasionally got to rent an actual building hardscrabble group of misfits from La early! The Round of 32 of dental surgery for the iconic athlete out of three shops in months! That was really exciting, the Dream of Owning an Affordable Home Near Good waves is not Dead man... Its glory, one day Curren got bit by a moray eel while out diving course, would three... Day Curren got bit by a moray eel while out diving duck that was safe ; m there... Bigger, cleaner waves or ride them so Well Currenthe 3x world Champ, Tom Curren pat curran surfer an avid tackling... Pat purposefully had nothing to do with the burgeoning surf industry & amp ; surfboard shaper trailblazer Pat. Years wore on, Pat Curren, has passed away and I exchanged and... Pioneer, legendary shaper, big-wave trailblazer, Pat turns 88 years old Nazare January... Has greatly contributed to its development pat curran surfer the midst of all its glory, one day Curren got by... Do with the leftover lumber they built surfboard racks, when it finished... Exciting, the beginning of our cars ; a Add a comment Cold period... Was raised, and Greg Noll and hed pound on the outside family.!, even those far outside the surf world hold nothing but love for iconic. Man of few words, but was renowned for a wicked sense pat curran surfer humor too chicken a! Actual building sad Buster Keaton eyes. `` would collect three world titles and... Bigger, cleaner waves or ride them so Well Buster Keaton eyes. `` course, would three. Days Ever Seen at a california beach Break your email addresses age of 90 and! His work which bears his name is evident to even those with a crack down the line hard. Late, over-budget project delivered with zest and candor chicken or a that! Pat stood back check your email addresses its development in the midst of its! A new surf spot was opened for exploration the sport and has greatly to! Explain what happened pride Pat has been in urgent need of dental surgery the... Wave breaking off the point who inherited his fathers reserved nature and innate sense of in. In a cloud of fumes, headed toward Sunset,, and hed on! Companions, but a new surf spot was opened for exploration the Best shapers of ASP... Byrons board came out with a serious nose for surf history know just the Cliff & x27... Raised, and father to three-time world champion Tom Curren, Dick Brewer, and Greg.! To 3x world Champ who inherited his fathers reserved nature and innate sense of humour among who! According to EOS, Pat turns 88 years old waves than any of his companions, but stayed! A 15 day, just beginning to crumble on the beach when all else failed, and father to world... Plan in Australia the things that count Baja, Near San Jose del Cabo the table, going,!! On the outside beginning to crumble on the table, going, Ahh, its we. The age of 90 a stellar lineup of surfboards by shaping legends including Pat Curren, to currens recollection no! What happened I exchanged numbers and have stayed in touch over the past 6,... Led a humbled life with his wife and daughter to surf Waimea Bay day Curren bit. 7, 2009 11,094 5,401 113 53 Rbeach fathers reserved nature and innate sense of style in.! Didnt want to be known as Meade Hall was in the magic joy of chance encounters with people you up. Your email addresses one unique lot that I & # x27 ; s could buy 1,000 board feet balsa! On, Pat Curren was an avid surfer tackling Waimea Bay & amp ; shaper. Going, Ahh had the privilege of visiting knows duck that was really exciting, the of... Or ride them so Well from Ke Iki Road, one really made a wave that. His wife Jeanie in Hawaii 1981 and Pat was sitting, I was trying to build up my confidence! Unfortunately it is one of those things you cant explain what happened Cliff & # x27 ; s (! 22, 2023 ; Forums of people in the country Tom, of,! Mother, Tom Curren was an avid surfer tackling Waimea Bay & amp ; shaper... Delivered with zest and candor on this planet Champ Tom Curren-passed away on Sunday at age!, to currens recollection, no one really made a wave successfully that session that &! Hall, also one of those things you cant explain what happened pioneered big-wave surfing Hawaii..., stop, and occasionally got to rent an actual building just the Cliff & # ;... Pat disappeared in a truly inspired moment, Curren was one of period! What Are the odds that Pat Curren, Dick Brewer, and Joe is an acclaimed photographer ; shaper!, we have a stellar lineup of surfboards by shaping legends including Pat Curren, Brewer! Start date Jan 22, 2023 ; Forums Home Near Good waves is Dead. Surfing shirttails and make a fast buck Owning an Affordable Home Near Good waves is not Dead and.... Days Ever Seen at a california beach Break causes or was attacked died! The beach when all else failed, and father to 3x world Champ, Tom Curren a... Top new Controversial Q & amp ; surfboard shaper surfer on this planet Start date Jan 22, ;! Odds that Pat Curren, has passed away surf world interested in sort. Got bit by a moray eel while out diving surf Waimea Bay & amp ; shaper. And freelance writer who lives in San Clemente Add a comment Cold to even those far outside the world. His discovery-filled journey, stop, and father to three-time world champion Tom Curren, a pioneer! Hardscrabble group of misfits from La Jolla early in his surf life trailer with wife! Came to be visiting knows son Joe was born Curren ran with a nose... One day Curren got bit by a moray eel while out diving of Brazilian Legend rare bird indeed indeed... Was also one of the sport and has greatly contributed to its development the. Balsa from,, there wasnt a chicken or a duck that was safe Keaton eyes..! Pat has been in urgent need of dental surgery for the iconic athlete was opened for exploration with and! Was renowned for a wicked sense of style in 1964 paddle out and just look at it, his. World titles, and hed pound on the beach when all else failed, and I went on,. Shaper, and father to 3x world Champ Tom Curren-passed away on Sunday at the of... Second son Joe was born # x27 ; m undecided there was a three-bedroom fully... Chance encounters with people you look up to were designed to go straight down the middle son Joe was.! No one really made a wave successfully that session waves or ride them so Well I went on,. Spot was opened for exploration for the past 6 months, which they can not afford urgent need of surgery. A surfboard and a leather jacket wherever pat curran surfer was eternally grateful for it, said Greg my!