By the time I arrived in Venice Beach, in 1966, Jackie "Bamm-Bamm" Baxter had just departed south to Huntington. From the photos and film I've seen, he looks like one of those friendly older roughnecks I grew up around, some of them surfers, but mostly dudes riding heavily customized bikes loud and low on Pacific Ave, or sitting on a Boardwalk bench mid-afternoon with a lit cigarette and a beer.

But who knows. I've never met Baxter. Maybe he was a Humanities undergrad at Chapman College.

Whoops. Just found this quick Surfing Illustrated interview with 17-year-old Baxter. I'm going with roughneck!

What do you think about entering contests with well-known surfers? Do you like competition?

I don't know about that stuff. I just like to surf. I like contests alright. Dewey Weber pays expenses, and I get to ride.

Can you recall any spectacular rides from the past? You know, great waves that stand out in your memory?

I don't remember. I think about the good ones for a while, and then I forget.

I like the one I'm riding now. But a good board is a good board.

WATCH JACKIE BAXTER GO FULL BAMM-BAMM

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