SURFING WALK OF FAME NAMES 2014 INDUCTEES Wednesday, 2 July 2014 The votes have been tallied and six legendary wave riders will once again be forever enshrined in surfing’s history books on July 31, 2014. Through a selection ballot, a host of respected surf industry veterans, former professionals and surf journalists narrowed down a field of hundreds of candidates to name the six 2014 Surfing Walk of Fame’s honorees in their respective categories – Larry Bertlemann (Surf Champion), Randy Rarick (Surf Pioneer), John Van Hamersveld (Surf Culture), Phyliss O’Donnell (Women of the Year), Mike Haley (Local Hero) and Vince Moorhouse (Honor Roll). The Surfing Walk of Fame is the only tribunal in surfing to award specific categories as well as require a 10-year margin since the commemorating achievement. This year’s recipients will be cemented alongside past inductees, earning their immortal place in the pavement on the corner of PCH and Main Street, directly across from the famous pier in Surf City USA -- Huntington Beach, California. This is going to be an awesome 21st year of placing stones of surfing legends in the Huntington Beach pavement,” said Don MacAllister, SWoF Chairman of the Board. “And we’re also celebrating 100 years of surfing in Huntington Beach -- aka ‘Surf City USA’ -- this year, which really cements us as the Cooperstown of Surfing.” Long time Triple Crown of Surfing Executive Director Randy Rarick will be spotlighted with the Surf Pioneer induction this year. Rarick’s achievements span the spectrum from his days as a former professional surfer to Hawaii contest organizer, as well as a master surfboard craftsman and global surf adventurer. ‘70s surfing icon Larry Bertleman earns the Surf Champion nod. A former US Champion, Bertleman is widely known as one of the main riders to push progressive surfing forward during the evolution from long- to shortboards -- spinning 360s and wildly spontaneous cutbacks and carves ahead of his peers. The always-colorful Surf Culture plaque will go to John Van Hamersveld. And while that name might not jump out at you, his artwork surely has. Originally known as the artist behind the iconic Endless Summer movie poster, Van Hamersveld’s work has made a mark on modern pop culture with the design of countless psychedelic album covers for bands like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Grateful Dead and more. The Woman of the Year honor will be presented to Phyliss O’Donnell, who won the first-ever Women’s World Surfing Championship in 1964. This was especially significant because the sport was predominately male-dominated at that time. She is also a two-time Australian National Champion (1964, 1965). Also in this year’s ceremony, former US Champ and Huntington mainstay Mike Haley is recognized as the Local Hero. And former Huntington Beach Chief Lifeguard Vince Moorhouse earns the Honor Roll spot. Here are the voting criterions used to decide each division: SURF CHAMPION – Nominees must have held a world championship and/or world-class event titles specific to Huntington Beach. SURF PIONEER – Nominees achieved surfing fame as a respected surfer or pioneer in the time before major championship; candidates must either be at least 50 years old or deceased. SURF CULTURE – Inductees are nominated from the arts and/or industry, and must have helped create and define surfing culture. WOMAN OF THE YEAR – Any female who meets the qualification in any of the four categories: surf champion, surfing culture, local hero, or surfing pioneer. LOCAL HERO – Nominees must have resided in Huntington Beach for at least 10 years, graduated from Huntington Union School District, been a finalist in the surf champion category, contributed to Huntington surfing culture, been a surfing pioneer in the city or a past champion at the annual Huntington Beach City Championships. HONOR ROLL – Recipients of the honor roll award deserve recognition du to their important contributions to the sport of surfing and its culture, but hey do not qualify under the specific guidelines of the other five walk of fame categories. The honor roll is the only category chose by the walk of fame board of directors. This year’s honorary induction ceremony will take place during the U.S. Open of Surfing outside of Jack’s Surfboards in Huntington Beach at 10:00am on July 31st. Past recipients of the Surfing Walk of Fame honors include Duke Kahanamoku, Kelly Slater, Lisa Anderson, Tom Curren, Bruce Brown, Eddie Aikau and more.
Posted on: Sun, 06 Jul 2014 23:12:22 +0000
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