Originally published in the August 1968 issue of Petersen's Surfing, titled "George Downing: the Teacher - Still Magnificent." Downing was 38 at the time.


Hawaii continues to be one of the leaders in surfing. The record will always show that we have our share of the masters of the sport, and a majority of the maestros.


Not yet. Because surfing is one of the most subjective sports to judge, it should be allowed to grow further before consideration for the Olympic Games.


Every human being takes a trip one time or another. But attempting to give yourself mental therapy through the use of drugs could prove dangerous, and there always remains the possibility of permanent damage to your mind. Psychological therapy can be used by everyone, when conducted by a qualified expert.


Contests are fun when you win. They can be difficult to stomach when you are told by judges that you were shot down. There will always be differences of opinion; one reason being that the sport is subjective, another is that techniques and styles are changing so rapidly that some judges can't keep up.


A surfer who can ride any size and type of wave, and adapt to the conditions at hand. To name a few good surfers would be doing an injustice to the many that I know and the possible hundreds that I have yet to see. Ask me in December who’s doing well out at Sunset, and I’ll tell you. Right now, I’ll refrain from skegging someone accidentally.



Anything you can do on a long board, you'll be able to do twice as well on an eight-footer. Short surfboards will be around for a long time.

] said that I would ride Kaena Point for $1,000 per wave. The price and terms have changed since then, due to the rising cost of living. No takers to date; must be the tight money market.


The surfers who represent Hawaii in the World Contest in Puerto Rico will be the best, and best-trained, we can offer. It would be premature at this time, however, to make a prediction as to who those surfers will be. Congratulations are in order to Eduardo Arena, that handsome winemaker from Lima, Peru, who has been responsible for putting this contest together. Eduardo, chairman of the World Surfing Federation, is without a doubt the most outstanding contributor to the organization of the sport throughout the world. Thank you, Eduardo, from the surfers of the United States.

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