"From the Editor's Desk," Surfing Magazine, Nov 1967

The original members of Surfing’s Hall of Fame, like baseball and football Halls of Fame, were chosen by leading authorities in the sport. An international congress of surfers who have been in the sport for a number of years, who have made a name for themselves, and for the most part can give a qualified, objective opinion, were chosen in 1966 and sent an official ballot to choose the first members of the Surfing Hall of Fame. (Duke Kahanamoku, Buzzy Trent, Greg Noll, Pete Peterson, Hoppy Swarts, Mike Doyle, Phil Edwards, Bob Simmons, Dewey Weber, George Downing, and Mickey Dora).

To select this year’s Hall of Fame winners, the present Hall of Fame members themselves were asked to vote on one selection for the period before 1940, and one selection after 1940. Each selection had to have surfed for fifteen years and be at least thirty years old. This meant that the international congress of surfers was not asked to vote on the Hall of Fame itself, but were asked to select the winners of the Regional Division, Specialties Division, and the International Surfers Division.

Without insulting the general public, International Surfing Magazine did not want to run a public opinion poll of all its readers. We wanted to stay away from this diluted method of polling, as the total reading public has only limited knowledge of the finer points of surfing. Their votes can only be based on hearsay, and what they have read or seen in movies. This would turn the poll into a popularity contest. Our ballots were cast by a select international congress of surfers; people that are actively and intensely involved with surfing. We feel that this is the only accurate way of giving recognition to the outstanding surfers of the world.

There are many people responsible for the success of the Second Annual Surfing Hall of Fame Awards program, but special consideration must be given to the co-sponsor of the event, Hang Ten Sportswear. It was only because of their support and love for the sport, that Surfing’s Hall of Fame was able to progress as it has. A big thanks must also be given to Master of Ceremonies, Brennan “Hevs” McClelland; the official greeter, Marge Calhoun McClelland; Kimo McVay of the Duke Kahanamoku Corporation for providing CBS’s great film of the Second Duke Invitational; Chuck Sloan of SKS Surfboards for helping whenever needed; and to Dr. Robert Scott, Hoppy Swarts, and Mike Sagar of the U.S.S.A. for helping with the awards presentations.

"Letters to the Editor," Surfing Magazine, Nov 1967

I am very sorry I won't be able to attend the awards program this evening, and would like to send my aloha and extend a warm Hawaiian greeting. Congratulations to the award winners and to the two new Hall of Fame selections.


I am very interested in attending ISM's Surfing Hall of Fame Awards Program, but, unfortunately, I will not be able to attend, as my financial position stops me from coming. I don’t think I’d have enough money to hire a rowboat. I could try sailing it, but a compass would cost too much, and I don’t know which stars to follow en route anyway. Seriously, thank you for the invitation, and the best of luck for a successful evening.


– Peter Drouyn, Surfers Paradise, Australia

Thank you for your kind invitation. Naturally, I shall be unable to attend.


– Midget Farrelly, Palm Beach, Australia

I would like to thank you for sending me an invitation to the Hall of Fame Awards Ceremony, but I regret to say that I can not make it. I sure appreciate it, and would really like to go, but just won't be able to.


"Surfing Hall of Fame Program," Surfing Magazine, Nov 1967

Once again, the greats of the surfing world gathered together to honor the outstanding performances of the lop riders in their sport. The place was the famous Hollywood Palladium, and the occasion was the Second Annual Surfing Hall of Fame Awards. The surfing community, dressed to a tee, streamed into the Palladium six hundred strong for the annual awards presentations, champagne cocktails, and dancing.

After a short welcome by co-hosts Dick Graham of International Surfing Magazine, and Duke Boyd of Hang Ten Sportswear, Master of Ceremonies Brennan “Hevs” McClelland took charge of the proceedings. Between the presentations of awards in the various categories, film producer Dale Davis showed selected film clips of the award winners in action.

Some of the people present for what has become surfing’s biggest annual event were: Fred Hemmings, Paul Strauch, Jock Sutherland, John McMahon, and Kimo McVay; Bruce Valluzzi, Mimi Munro, Fletcher Sharp, Gary Propper, Claude Cod- gen, and Mike Tabeling; Mike Doyle, Rusty Miller, David Nuuhiwa, Gordon Duane, Bing Copeland, Dewey Weber, Corky Carroll, Greg Noll, Rick Grigg, Bob Bolen, Con Colburn, Steve Bigler, Joyce Hoffman, Don Hansen, Mickey Munoz, and Bob Moore.

With Tom Blake and Dale Velzy joining the ranks of surfing’s all-time greats in the Hall of Fame, and David Nuuhiwa being selected the World’s Best Surfer two years in a row, the program drew to a close. But even now, as the thunderous applause fades into the past, the talk of next year grows louder. Who will the winners be? That’s yet to be determined. However, there is one sure thing. With the support the surfing world has given the Hall of Fame awards, next year’s extravaganza will be another milestone in surfing history.

1967 International Surfing Hall of Fame Awards

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