Hurley is anointed Hall of Fame surfer

HUNTINGTON BEACH ? In the 1970s, Bob Hurley began shaping boards after he realized he had an unrequited love affair with the professional surfing world.

He worked diligently to hone his shaping skills and eventually gained momentum in the industry with the help of his buddy Aaron Pai, who fronted him $2,400 to make eight boards for Pai’s shop.

About 30 years later, the Newport Beach resident ? who owns Costa Mesa-based Hurley International and is an icon in the surf apparel industry ? became a hall-of-famer Friday when he was inducted into the Surfers’ Hall of Fame, located outside Pai’s Huntington Surf & Sport.

“On one hand, I say I’m not worthy, but on the other hand, I say, what a testament it is to the people who helped me,” Hurley said.

An immortalized bronze Duke Kahanamoku stood on the corner of Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway, seemingly overseeing as Hurley was inducted into the Surfers’ Hall of Fame with six-time world champion Layne Beachley, big-wave pioneer Greg Noll and professional surfer and Hurley rider Rob Machado. Machado arrived late to the ceremony because he was busy winning his heat at the 2006 Bank of the West Beach Games featuring the Honda U.S. Open of Surfing.

“I was totally humbled and honored,” Hurley, 50, said. “I got a letter in the mail, and I saw my name on a piece of paper with a lot of really important names in surfing. I’m a business person and not a pro athlete like those people who I totally admire.”

Hurley had his fair share of admirers at Friday’s ceremony, and every time his name was mentioned, his family and a group of Hurley fans cheered in support.

“Almost everyone from Hurley was here to support Bob and Rob [Machado],” said Julie Leffler, who works for Hurley. “Everyone at the company is really excited.”

After finding success in Costa Mesa shaping boards under the Hurley name, he became the United States licensee for the Australian company Billabong. In 1999, he launched Hurley International, creating a hugely successful company that further exploded after the brand became a subsidiary of Nike.

“What George Lucas is to the motion picture industry, Bob Hurley is to our surf industry,” Pai said before the ceremony. “Bob’s done a lot ? he’s coming into his prime.”

Decked out in a lei and his Hurley shirt ? all the event staff were also wearing the brand ? he gracefully planted his hands and feet into wet cement and etched “The future is unwritten” above his signature as hundreds of people watched. Surf icons like the first Assn. of Professional Surfers world champion Peter “PT” Townend, champion Corky Carroll and Surfline’s Sean Collins told stories of their experiences and friendships with Hurley.

During his speech, Hurley credited his success to surfers and shop owners who encouraged and helped him out along the way, and spoke of the accolades of his fellow inductees.

“I’ve been involved with surfing for 30 years at a professional level, although I’m not a pro-surfer,” he said. “I was able to pursue the lifestyle, and I’m just so thankful that everyone let me play.”