A raft of new names were added to the Surfing Walk of Fame in front of Jack’s Surfboards in Huntington Beach on Thursday.
The annual induction ceremony, now in its 29th year, brought the Walk of Fame’s total to more than 200 names now engraved in granite stones lining the sidewalk in front of Jack’s.
The 2023 group included a mix of pro surfers and those from the business world.
Don Hansen, founder of Hansen Surfboards and co-founder of Op, was honored in the 2023 Honor Roll division for his contributions to surf.
Hansen spoke briefly at the podium, humbly expressing doubt that he should be up there for the award and offering his thanks. He shared the stage with son Josh Hansen, CEO of Hansen Surfboards, who said his father is typically more chatty, but is recovering from a fall.
Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard rarely speaks publicly or grants press interviews and was not in attendance Thursday to accept the title of 2023 Environmentalist of the Year. He was instead fishing in Canada, according to Surfing Walk of Fame board member PT Townend.
Industry veteran Sam George accepted the honor on behalf of Chouinard, telling the crowd the story of Patagonia’s roots in surf.
“His biggest contribution… was that he really was the first person to steer his company into that area that we now know as green, where you start expressing your environmental consciousness through your product, through your marketing, (and) through the integrity of your company,” George said. “Beyond the world-changing efforts that (Patagonia’s) made to protect the environment around the world, Yvon showed through his commitment, through putting his money where his mouth is, and his various companies … the ocean is truly one of those wild areas that he has cherished and dedicated his life to protecting.”
Dick Metz, who is credited with jump-starting Hobie’s business in Hawaii and beyond, was also not in attendance to receive the Surf Pioneer honor. At 93, he was recovering from complications related to a surgery, Townend told the crowd.
Former Surfing Heritage and Culture Center Creative Director Barry Haun accepted the award on behalf of Metz, who he described as “the youngest teenager I know.”
“He’s a man of many talents, but he would never tell you himself,” Haun said.
This year’s ceremony also honored pro surfer Cheyene Horan as Surfing Champion; 1993 world champion Pauline Menzer as Woman of the Year; and Robert “Chuy” Madrigal as Local Hero. Jesse Billauer, founder of the non-profit Life Rolls On, was selected for the Honor Roll.
Thursday’s ceremony continues a tradition that began in 1994 with the Walk of Fame’s inaugural induction group.
Most inductee divisions are voted on, with more than 200 ballots mailed. Those chosen for the Honor Roll are selected by the Surfing Walk of Fame Board of Directors.
The induction ceremony, which was also open to the public, took place as the Wallex US Open of Surfing continues its run in Huntington Beach through Aug. 6.
Kari Hamanaka can be reached at kari@shop-eat-surf-outdoor.com.
