Purpus, Mike (1948 – )

Flamboyant regularfoot surfer from Hermosa Beach, California; a seven-time finalist in the United States Surfing Championships, and the West Coast's most progressive and entertaining surfer of the 1970s.

Purpus was born (1948) in Santa Monica, California, raised in Hermosa Beach, and began surfing at age 10. He placed fourth in the juniors division of the 1965 U.S. Championships; moving up to the men's division, he finished sixth in 1967, fifth in 1968, third in 1969 and 1970, and sixth in 1...