Harrison, Lorrin "Whitey" (1913 – 1993)

Hot-rodding California surfer in the 1930s and '40s, and pioneering geriatric surfer in the '80s and '90s. Harrison was born (1913) in Garden Grove, south of Los Angeles, and as a child traveled to and from the family summer house in Laguna Beach by horse and wagon. He began surfing in 1925 at age 12, and eight years later was among the first to ride San Onofre; in 1933 he won the Pacific Coast Surf Riding Championships.

Harrison labored as a surfboard builder, lifeguard, dry cleaner, and ni...