Cast in stone

Mike Sciacca

The nation’s first sidewalk monument to honor individuals who have

made significant contributions to the sport of surfing will gain

added luster today when six new members become part of the family at

the Huntington Beach Surfing Walk of Fame.

The 12th annual event takes place at 10 a.m. today in front of

Jack’s Surfboards located at Pacific Coast Highway and Main Street.

The individuals who make up the 12th class of inductees are

Buffalo Keaulana (Surf Pioneer), David Nuuhiwa (Surf Champion), the

late Carl Hayward (Local Hero), Kim Hamrock (Woman of the Year) and

George Greenough (Surfing Culture).

Paul Morrow will be added to the Walk of Fame Honor Roll.

“We are very happy to have these individuals join us on the Walk

of Fame,” said Ron Abdel, the owner of Jack’s Surfboards. “This event

continues to grow more and more each year, and we’re excited to add

to the surf tradition here in Huntington Beach.”

The 2005 class gives the Walk of Fame more than 65 inductees

immortalized in stone.

Each inductee will be honored with a one-square-foot granite slab

with his or her name, year inducted and the category in which each is

inducted. The slabs will be placed in the ground in front of Jack’s

Surfboards.

The Honor Roll, which became an addition to the Walk of Fame in

1995, honors individuals who have contributed to surfing and its

culture and are deserving of recognition but might not qualify to

receive a stone on the Walk of Fame.

Following the induction ceremony, the Class of 2005, along with

select members from the previous 11 years, will be honored with a

luncheon at Duke’s restaurant.

The Huntington Beach Surfing Walk of Fame was dedicated on May 28,

1994 by honoring Duke Kahanamoku as the Father of Modern Surfing.

Research of qualified candidates is done by the Walk of Fame

selection committee and information is gathered through surf

associations, museums and media venues worldwide. An international

panel of surf affiliated voters cast their votes in each category.

“We sent out 300 to 400 ballots to voters, and we’re quite happy

with this year’s class of inductees,” Abdel said.

Buffalo Keaulana

(Surf Pioneer)

Known as a legendary waterman and patriarch of a well-known

family, Buffalo Keaulana is the fourth Hawaiian -- Duke Kahanamoku,

Gerry Lopez and Rabbit Kekai are the others -- to be honored as Surf

Pioneer.

David Nuuhiwa

(Surf Champion)

The late David Nuuhiwa, who died earlier this year, is honored by

the Walk of Fame for the second time, as he originally became a

member as Surf Champion. Described as a stylish nose rider, who

dominated surfing competitions during the 1960s, Nuuhiwa won two

world championships and is second only to Corky Carroll for most

all-time victories at the Huntington Beach Pier.

Carl Hayward

(Local Hero)

Known as a renowned local shaper and surfer, who left an indelible

impression on the surfing scene, Carl Hayward is the second member of

the 2005 class to be honored posthumously.

Hayward died earlier this year.

“I knew Carl very well, and he was a very good person, who

contributed a lot to the surf industry,” Abdel said. “He was a famous

shaper and an amazing person.”

Kim Hamrock

(Woman of the Year)

The credentials of Kim Hamrock speak for themselves -- winner of

the 2002 women’s world longboard championship and an 11-time U.S.

champion.

Paul Morrow

(Honor Roll)

The Walk of Fame adds Paul Morrow, principal of Sowers Middle

School in Huntington Beach, to its Honor Roll in recognition of being

the founder of the National Scholastic Surfing Assn.’s award-winning

junior competition program.

“Paul has had a tremendous impact on the youth of our community,”

said Peter “PT” Townend, the 1976 world champion and current Walk of

Fame board member. “His concept of a junior division for competition

surfing ultimately led to the adoption of a worldwide competition.”