Comments on: Wedge icon and Viper fin creator turns 70

By: College Ringtones

College Ringtones — Sat, 03 May 2008 13:34:44 +0000

College Ringtones

Iphone Ringtones

Lg Ringtones

Make Ringtone

By: Motorola Ringtones

Motorola Ringtones — Sat, 03 May 2008 06:24:25 +0000

Motorola Ringtones

Disney Ringtones

Download free Ringtones

Download Ringtones

By: Joe Lifeguard

Joe Lifeguard — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 17:21:27 +0000

Fred:
Is truly an Icon and a Great Role Model for everyone to follow. I have the pleasure to know fred for about 20 years and He is still today the Best Person all around.
Viper Fins have revolutionez not only the Bodysurfing World but also the Boogie Boarders and even the Lifeguards.
As a Lifeguard I use Vipers and i Love these Fins.

Fred Happy Bday, See ya Saturday..

By: Patrick Wallace

Patrick Wallace — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 08:30:20 +0000

Bodysurfing is definitely not dead… In fact, it’s thriving. San Clemente has a bodysurfing club, as I’m sure other beach cities do. On really big days, the “Black Ball” breaks have almost as many bodysurfers as bodyboarders. Many lifeguards spend their lunch sliding waves, and I’ve even seen a good many pro surfers forgo their boards every so often. A few winters ago I was shooting Kelly Slater bodysurfing Pipeline on a crowded day. That was some great footage.

In the summer months I slide daily. In the winter, only when it’s really big. Never used Vipers though. I’ve always been a UDT Duck man (Those are regular Ducks with an extra six inches). I still have three pairs from the early eighties; although, they’re being manufactured again locally. Maybe the old Duck/Viper rivalry still has some life left in it as well.

By: scott moore

scott moore — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 14:41:15 +0000

Mike Moore, my brother grew up in the 60’s. A long board surfer from Bolsa Grande high school surfed huntington with his friend Billy who knew and surfed with the likes of David N. and all the other greats around them. He died of cancer in ‘96 but one of his last wishes was to go to the wedge, which we did, to see the infamous wave so he could explain to me how its done. Great memory, Happy Birthday Fred!

By: Terry Wade

Terry Wade — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 07:56:49 +0000

I have had the honor of knowing Fred personally Since 1976, but I knew of Fred Simpson as a child of 10 years old when I watched Wedge footage in a surf film that featured a bald man riding large waves, using a style that stood out from everyone else. Freds style of of leaning back into the face of these waves, with his arm extended and used as a planing surface was, even for a 10 year old, striking. In addition, while most Bodysurfers at the Wedge would avoid the large, powerful tubes by trying to dive-out of the wave, Fred would literally drive on, never pulling out, and continue in these insane tubes. He was way ahead of his time, and continued on riding big Wedge untill his late 50’s until age 60. He was a great influence on my Bodysurfing, & I wish him a happy 70th.

By: Andy Olson

Andy Olson — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 05:45:38 +0000

Bodysurfing didn’t die. Those who love it do it passionately! I remember getting my first pair of Viper’s from Fred circa 1983 when I was 12 or maybe 13. I loved the extra thick channels on my first pair. Wish I still had ‘em.

By: Joe

Joe — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 03:15:21 +0000

Viper vs ducks. Those were the days. To bad body surfing died with the body board craze. Love the foil.