Doug Fletcher

Steve Virgen

To prevent the threat of writer’s block, Newport Beach resident Doug

Fletcher has found a unique source of creativity.

Fletcher clears his mind and gets in touch with his soul while

riding waves. But someone forgot to tell him he should be retired,

playing cards or lawn bowling, instead of surfing.

Today is Fletcher’s 71st birthday. He has not retired. He works

for his own business consulting firm and has written a book on his

experiences. He has completed his second book, which is about

enjoying retirement.

Fletcher finds satisfaction in surfing and writing. Surfing is not

a means to quench a competitive thirst. You might say he surfs for

fun, yet also as for survival.

“Surfing is a place you go, and you forget,” he said. “It keeps me

young. I have to really work out. It’s so hard to pop up like these

kids today. You have to be in shape. You really have to be in shape.”

So, to be in good health, Fletcher swims at UC Irvine as part of

the masters program. He also rides his bike with the Hammerheads, a

cycling group based in Corona del Mar. And when he needs a change of

pace, he waxes up, paddles out and catches a wave.

“It clears my mind,” Fletcher said. “It gives me a sense of who I

am, even though that’s not who I am. It’s one of the elements of who

I am.”

Surfing has also been a big part of Fletcher’s life. Born in South

Africa, he followed in his father’s footsteps and took up the sport.

Fletcher has been passionately involved with surfing for the past 50

years. He started taking it seriously when he built his own

surfboard, with his friend, Seymour Beek. The two took on the waves

at San Onofre.

Today, Fletcher will surf those same waters with his family, which

includes wife Mary, and three children, Alicia (45 years old), Brad

(40) and Jennifer (25). Once a week, Fletcher surfs with Alicia.

Fletcher also has six grandchildren. He will sometimes surf with

Brad, or Brad’s son, Ryah. Ryah, 16, is on his way to becoming a pro

surfer, having already secured sponsorship from a clothing line.

This summer, Fletcher said he will to go Costa Rica, along with

Brad and some friends for, “one last surfing trip.”

“My dad was a surfer,” Fletcher said. “I started surfing. My son,

Brad, surfed. My grandson, Ryah, surfs, so there is four generations

that surf. That’s amazing.”

What’s just as amazing is Fletcher has remained active despite

enduring a hip replacement. If he had not undergone that surgery,

there could have been a chance he would be competing in swimming. He

swam competitively in high school and in the Army, where he also

played water polo.

The water has usually been kind to Fletcher and he said he doesn’t

see himself giving surfing up any time soon. He gets too much out of

it.

“You could almost say there is a soul quality about surfing,”

Fletcher said.