Chuck Hasley was the founder of the WindanSea Surf Club and was the co-owner, along with surf legend Mike Hynson, of one of the first surf shops in La Jolla--WindanSea Sport. When he first formed the WindanSea Surf Club, in order to compete in the Malibu Invitational, Hasley couldn’t have known what a profound effect he and the others would have on later generations.

Del Cannon, another member of the WindanSea Surf Club was a well-known surf board shaper and film star. He starred in classic surf films such as Barefoot Adventure, Slippery When Wet, Waterlogged, and Surfin’ Shorts.

Bruce Brown was a surf film pioneer whose films have preserved a part of early surfing and skating history. Though some of his earliest films were shot at WindanSea Beach back in 1960, he is most well-known for his documentaries, like Endless Summer 1, 2, and 3. He is a 2009 inductee into the Surfers’ Hall of Fame.

Dick Brewer, a legendary surfer and shaper, gave the local groms a name to use for their skateboard crew, The Cosmic Riders of La Jolla. In the 1970’s, after these groms had seen magazine photos and films of the Comic Riders of surfing, they wanted to use the name for their crew. La Jolla High had some mad hills surrounding it and a good wood shop, which was a great combination for the students that went there. Though Mr. Ecklar, the wood shop teacher disapproved, most of the older students would spend their time in wood shop building skateboards. These students have become some of the most well known shapers of today’s styles and longboards.

Skip Frye, a legendary surfer and shaper, who is perhaps best known for his iconic logo, would let the local skateboard groms (myself included) use his decals on their homemade skateboards. Skip was also the first pro skateboarder for Gordon and Smith Fiber Flex.

Growing up surrounded by such influential surfers and skaters inspired our generation to build on the past, to innovate and push the envelope. It also allowed us to touch a bit of history and see a bit of the past through our fathers’ eyes.