For local legend Rich Chew, the Southern California way of life was perfect.
Checking out the good looking ladies while lifeguarding during summers, then off to Hawaii to surf in the winters.
Of course, flights to Hawaii back in the day were only $99. And gas was a whopping 50 cents.
The former San Clemente lifeguard, who still surfs five days a week, recalls being able to drive down Pacific Coast Highway and know everyone on the beach.
Chew – like many of his fellow honorees – recalled the good ol’ days during the Surfing Walk of Fame ceremony in front of Jack’s Surf Shop, an awards ceremony now in its 15th year.
First to speak at the ceremony was National Scholastic Surfing Association’s executive director Janice Aragon, accepting a place on the honor roll for the group. The group is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, but started during a much different time in history.
“Surfers were stereotyped as typical beach bums,” she said of the ’70s. The association was determined to team the sport with scholastics and change the tainted image. Everyone competing was required to be in school with passing grades, and many surf champions tout these competitions as their start to stardom.
Surf culture inductee Drew Kampion became the first journalist to have his name placed on the sidewalk.
“Surfers are the most unique, collective tribe I’ve ever observed on Earth,” he said.
