Book Funding Proposal Launched

If you have an appreciation for surfing, and especially are interested in preserving surf history, I invite you to consider backing a proposal on kickstarter.com for the publication of Little Man on Wheels -- The Biography of Surfing Legend Dewey Weber. Visit:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1937041353/little-man-on-wheels-biography-of-surf-legend-dewe?ref=live

Here is a view of the limited edition Weber Performer Storyboard of which up to only three will be awarded to project funders. The funding cycle for this proposal ends Feb. 15, 2012.

Mahalo

Dewey Inducted into 2010 Surfing Walk of Fame

Shea Weber did a wonderful job in Huntington Beach speaking on behalf of the family as Dewey was inducted into the Surfing Walk of Fame.

I have been completing interviews for the biography and most recently spoke to Phil Edwards, PT (Pete) Townend, and David Nuuhiwa.

Upcoming, this weekend I will attend the Oceanside contest at the pier and hope to log a few interviews, and next weekend, will attend the Scripps luau and invitational longboard contest benefitting cancer reseach as Kemp Aaberg's guest. This is particularly special as Kemp surfed in the Islands in 1956 during Dewey's first trip to Oahu and the North Shore.

With interviews wrapping up now, I will shift gears and start stringing words into sentences, paragraphs, and pages. Looking forward to that; this has been a wonderful experience thus far and I am eager to proceed.

A Life Examined

I continue to learn new things about Dewey and really appreciate the help I've received. Guy Motil is a deep, well informed, and thoughtful reservoir of information and insight. His book on surfboards is a work of art and probably the best one ever produced. We spoke with Caroline about the period Guy ran Weber shops in Venice and Hermosa. Hearing about his many adverturous sojourns to the Ranch with Dewey held me spellbound.

And Sparky Hudson, a much featured 60s Jacobs team rider has greatly enhanced my understanding of the South Bay and has been super generous with stories and introductions. Our recent visit with Sparky in Hawaii was enjoyable and productive. Here's a pic of some of the boards in Sparky's quiver.

Brilliant Idea, Well Executed

Fast approaching its 50th anniversary year in 2010, Dewey Weber Surfboards has introduced yet another industry first. It is releasing a special edition of 50 numbered collectible Storyboards portraying the life of the company's legendary founder and namesake in a beautiful collage of images spread out from the tail to the tip. (click on the photo for a better view).

The images chronicle Dewey's life and include a photo of Dewey as a child decked out in a Buster Brown costume (he was an official Buster Brown model) and other images of Dewey surfing, being handed contest trophies, and deep sea fishing. Other images show actress McKenzie Phillips wearing a Dewey Weber T-shirt throughout her role in American Graffiti along with photos of his family. All Storyboards will be Weber Performer models, the top-selling longboard of all time and come in lengths of 9'6" or 10'.

Shea Weber, eldest son and CEO of the company, calls the board an "heirloom" piece and that advance orders are being taken for the 50 Storyboards. Write Shea for information: shea@deweyweber.com

Hermosa Legend Sonny Vardeman Talks About Dewey

One early morning recently Sonny Vardeman rode his bike down to Scotty's on the Strand and talked about his friend, Dewey Weber over coffee. Sonny, born in 1937, is a legend -- Hermosa Beach native, surfer, glasser, shaper, board builder, and career LA County guard. The window he sat next to afforded him a view of the pier and surrounding environs. The city confered the title of legend on him officially a while back. A deserving accolade for sure.

Sonny attended Mira Costa High with other pionerring surfing greats of the era: Greg Noll, Dewey Weber, and Sonny's great friend Bing Copeland. Sonny recalled hearing in the mid-1950s when he used to surf 22nd St. in Hermosa about a small, blond headed kid from 2nd Street in Manhattan Beach who was supposed to be very good. Sonny and his buddies rode their bikes down to 2nd to check the kid -- David "Dewey" Weber -- out. Sonny recalls seeing huge turns and powerful cutbacks, and a lot of movement on the wave -- the likes of which he hadn't seen before. Years later when Dewey manufactured Dewey Weber Surfboards, the glassing took place at Sonny's glass shop which he started with his friend Mike Bright.

Sonny and Dewey lived in Hermosa at the same time over 40 years. When Dewey died in 1993 Sonny Vardeman was one of the people who eulogized him. It was an honor speaking with him.

Marge Calhoun Recalls Simpler Times

It was wonderful speaking with one of surfing's early female big wave pioneers -- Marge Calhoun. Elegant, enchanting, intelligent, fearless, and soulful. She and friend Eve Fletcher may have taken the trip of their lives in the winter of 1958 when the two Californians paddled out at Makaha and Sunset and other North Shore spots sharing waves with the era's biggest names. Marge won the Makaha women's event that trip and Peter Cole won the men's. A 21 year old Dewey Weber was dialing in 18 footers at Makaha and Marge remembers vividly his "saucer-size" eyes as he watched her ride a huge wave. Dewey, Marge, Peter and Fred Hemmings were treated to a Chinese dinner attended by a fast-rising American novelist named James Michener and his wife. Hawaii was published the following year but Tales of the South Pacific had already won critical (a Pulitzer) and popular success. Marge and Eve recalled Dewey's handling of chop sticks that night. Bottom line: he was way better on a sufboard. It'll all be in the book . . .

And the Stories Just Keep on Comin'

Mike Stang, 1950s big wave pioneer and lifelong friend of Greg Noll told me a couple of wonderful Dewey Weber stories when I reached him by phone outside Redding. Mike was a permanent LA County Lifeguard for 30 years. And, Steve 'Rat' Sutherland, a surfer and sander who worked for Dewey, Bing, Greg Noll and other board builders during the heyday of the 1960s took some time away from fly fishing in Montana to share some stories too. There is, not surprisingly, general agreement among the many I've spoken to about Dewey. They all speak about his incredible talent as a surfer, his outgoing, open, fun-loving personality, and with regret, his struggle with alcoholism. I am moved by each conversation and am aware that the era the interviewees speak of are, as Stang said "Times that will never be again." They were privileged to live those times, and we are privileged to recall.