Gebauer, Paul (1941 – 2021)

Big-wave specialist from Hawaii, almost as well-known for his far-ranging spirituality and eccentricities as he was for his standard-setting performances on the North Shore of Oahu, where for a brief few years in the late 1950s and early '60s he was revered. "Everybody knew Paul Gebauer as the smoothest, most relaxed surfer in big waves," John Peck said.

Paul Gebauer Jr was born (1940) in Cleveland and sent to live in an orphanage while his physician father served in the Pacific Theater duri...