hall of fame

HUNTINGTON BEACH SURFING HALL OF FAME
The Surfers’ Hall of Fame celebrated its first inductees in May 2002 at the corner of Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway in downtown Huntington Beach, right at the foot of the Duke Kahanamoku statue. But the celebration was a long awaited one for Huntington Surf and Sport store owner Aaron Pai.
His childhood dream of creating something like the Hollywood’s Grauman’s Chinese Theatre drove him to pursue a collection of hand and foot imprints from surfers of all walks of life. When the store added a longboard area and bakery, it was the perfect time to display his collection.
With some creativity and keen connections in the surf industry, Pai and his associates were able to travel to athletes to collect their imprints. Corky Carroll, a former world champion surfer, decided to assist Pai. So when the surf stars hit Southern California, they were off with a truck, wet cement and a chair. Their effort paid off. Pai was able to proudly display over 20 imprints in the store.
That was pre-2002. With a few meetings at the city council, some council member suggestions and three years, Pai got his ultimate wish granted – he was able to establish the Surfers’ Hall of Fame as a public display at the corner of Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway, heart of Surf City.
What once started out as a modest celebration of surf history and its top athletes turned into an open invitation for surf enthusiasts everywhere to enjoy the imprints of the world’s most renowned surf heroes.
The Surfers’ Hall of Fame is the first imprint collection of legendary surfers on the West Coast. Each year the committee, which consists of business owners, surfers and surf industry professionals, chose the inductees based on a contribution, dedication, integrity and revolution to the sport of surfing.
“Integrity, humility and great achievements are what make our inductees notable,” said Michael Morgan, committee member and event master of ceremonies. “Not all of them are world champions. They respect the sport and bring it to a whole new level by their contributions to the sport and surf industry.”
Although most surfers’ imprints were placed inside Pai’s store during 1997 and 2001, the athletes are honored to return to take their place in the legendary location, which boasts a beautiful bronze statue of Duke Kahanamoku, the father of modern surfing.

July 2009 Inductees:

Jeff Hakman
Joey Buran
Bruce Brown
Pat O'Connell

July 2008 Inductees:

Mike Parsons
Brad Gerlach
Sean Collins
Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew

July 2007 Inductees:

Sofia Mulanovich
Al Merrick
Bruce Irons
Martin Potter

July 2006 Inductees:

Greg Noll
Rob Machado
Bob Hurley
Layne Beachley

July 2005 Inductees:

Carl Hayward
Tom Carroll
Bob McKnight
Mark Richards

July 2004 Inductees:
(click on name to view bio)

July 2003 Inductees:

Andy Irons
Shaun Tompson
Tom Curren
Jack O'Neill

May 2003 Inductees:

Bud Llamas
Paul Strauch
Mike Doyle

May 2002 Inductees:

Kelly Slater
Lisa Andersen
Laird Hamilton
Joel Tudor

August 2002 Inductees:

Corky Carroll
Robert August
Robert "Wingnut" Weaver

Jeff Hakman, Joey Buran, Bruce Brown & Pat O’Connell get some cement on their hands and feet and in the process leave their mark in Surf City, USA

Where: The Surfers’ Hall of Fame ceremony will be held at 300 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, California, directly in front of Huntington Surf and Sport. Look for the bronze Duke statue on the corner of Pacific Coast Highway and Main Street, you can’t miss it.

When: Friday, July 24th at 10:00 a.m.

What: The nation’s first imprint collection of legendary surfers celebrates its 12th Anniversary in July with a ceremony honoring iconic surfers Jeff “Mr. Sunset” Hakman, Bruce Brown, Joey Buran and Pat O’Connell. The Surfers’ Hall of Fame induction ceremony is free-of-charge and open to the public. Further information regarding details of the ceremony, including directions, is available at http://hsssurf.com/hall.

Who: 2009 Sufers’ Hall of Fame Inductees: Jeff Hakman, Bruce Brown, Joey Buran, and Pat O’Connell.

How: Following the tradition of years past, the class of 2009 inductees will each have a chance to become immortalized by placing their hands, feet and signature in wet cement at the Surfers’ Hall of Fame ceremony. Each inductee in this year’s class is selected by a committee of business owners, surfers and surf industry professionals based on contribution, dedication, integrity and revolution to the sport of surfing. Admission is free. It is suggested to arrive early to the ceremony due to the expected crowds.