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  The 2009 Surfer's Hall of Fame inductees

A festive crowd attended the Surfers’ Hall of Fame ceremony Friday at Huntington Surf & Sport.

Here are some photos and information about the inductees, from the program.

Joey Buran: Joey turned pro in 1978 and defeated Rabbit Bartholomew in his inaugural man-on-man event, won his first pro title in Oceanside and reached the final round of the Pipeline Masters in Hawaii. He received the nickname “California Kid” from ABC’s Wide World of Sports. Buran finished his rookie pro season in the top 30, became California’s first full-time surfer on the tour and was voted the “Most Inspirational Surfer” on the IPS World Tour. In 1984, Buran produced a string of victories that included the Katin Team Challenge, Tropix Grand Prix and the Pipeline Masters. He finished seventh on the ASP World Tour ratings and was named the “Most Improved Surfer.” In 1987 Joey answered a calling to serve in the ministry, and now leads his own church, Worship Generation in the Fountain Valley. He also served as head coach of the US national surfing team for approximately two years.

Pat O’Connell: After successfully negotiating the NSSA, PSAA and Bud Surf Tours, Pat’s competitive career took a slight detour when he took a co-lead role in Endless Summer II, Bruce Brown’s remake of the classic surf film. Pat gained celebrity status across the globe, but returned to the World Championship Tour for several years. In 1997, Pat launched The Realm, a start-up clothing venture with Mike Parsons. After retiring from competition, Pat joined Hurley International’s marketing department.

Bruce Brown: In 1964, filmmaker Bruce Brown decided to follow two surfers around the world in search of a perfect wave. On a budget of only $50,000 and armed with a 16mm camera, he captured the essence, the adventure, and the art of surfing in the renowned film “The Endless Summer.” Bruce, who started surfing at 11 in Long Beach, launched his career in 1958 with “Slippery When Wet,” and followed with several more movies including “Surf Crazy” (1959) and “Waterlogged” (1962), but his defining moment came when Endless Summer showcased surfing to the masses. Thirty years later he would film “Endless Summer II” with son Dana, showcasing a young Pat O’Connell and Robert “Wingnut” Weaver. Brown’s motorcycle documentary, “On Any Sunday,” received an Academy Award nomination. (Above, Bruce, in blue shirt, addressing the crowd.)

Jeff Hakman: Born in Southern California’s South Bay in 1948, Hakman would waste little time establishing his North Shore credentials after a family trip to Hawaii in 1959. At the age of 17 and pitted against 23 world-class surfers, he won the inaugural Duke Kahanamoku Classic at Sunset Beach. From 21 to 27, Jeff won more major surfing titles than anyone in the world including the first Pipeline Masters, two more Duke contests, three Hang Ten Internationals and the Gunston Pro. His mastery of and fearless approach to Sunset Beach led to his lifelong moniker, “Mr. Sunset.” In 1976 along with Bob McKnight, Jeff launched Quiksilver USA.

I ran into several people after the ceremony, including:

 

 

 

Bob Hurley and Aaron Pai, owner of Huntington Surf & Sport and founder of the Surfers’ Hall of Fame.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quiksilver’s Steve Tully and Bob McKnight. Bob and inductee Jef Hakman founded Quiksilver USA.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quiksilver’s Dave Rosenberger and Tom Holbrook with Aaron Pai.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A seat was reserved in memory of fomer SIMA Chairman Emeritus Dick Baker, who passed away in April.