Surfing their way to honors

The surfing community places less value on recognition and honors than most others. Just ask Seal Beach native Rich Chew, who got flak from friends after being inducted into the Huntington Beach Surf Walk of Fame.

“It’s a huge a honor,” he said. “I took a lot of ribbing from my friends and stuff, but overall it’s great to be recognized by your peers for a sport that you absolutely love.”

The 62-year-old Chew, who attended Huntington Beach High School, is one of six members of the 2008 class of inductees into the Surfing Walk of Fame, centered at Jack’s Surfboards.

Joining Chew in the 15th class of inductees will be other big names from the surfing community: Andy Irons, Wayne Lynch, Buzzy Trent, Drew Kampion and Lynn Boyer.

All six will have their own granite stars unveiled Thursday, adding to the collection which boasts the names of more than 100 contributors to the world of surfing. The Walk of Fame will not be the only recognition dished during the U.S. Open of Surfing, which starts Friday and runs until July 27. The Surfers’ Hall of Fame will honor its 12th class of members, which includes four more notables in the surfing community: Mike Parsons of San Clemente , Brad Gerlach of Huntington Beach, Sean Collins and Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew.

“Advancements in the sport of ‘Big Wave Surfing’ during the past 10 years played a prominent role in the selection of this year’s inductees,” said Aaron Pai, founder of the Surfers’ Hall of Fame.

“Together, Mike Parsons, Brad Gerlach and Sean Collins have played significant roles in pioneering this new frontier.”

MEET THE INDUCTEES

WALK OF FAME

RICH CHEW

The 62-year-old Chew doesn’t let his age hold him back when it comes to his greatest passion.

“I try to surf every day: That’s my goal,” he said. “And fortunately my wife cuts me that slack.”

Chew attended Huntington Beach High before becoming a professional surfer and then working as a San Clemente lifeguard for more than 30 years. He also spent several years as an artist, creating oil paintings and assorted jewelry.

Now retired, Chew resides in San Juan Capistrano with his wife, Madonna, and his daughter, Avalon.

ANDY IRONS

July 24 will be a big day Irons, but not just because of his induction into the Walk of Fame: the Kawai native turns 30 that day. Irons has won three world titles since turning pro in 1998 and recently captured two Rip Curl Pro Search titles in 2006 and 2007. He also been the subject of a number of surf movies.

WAYNE LYNCH

A pioneer in the world of surfing, Lynch is known for being one of the first prominent goofy-foot riders. Lynch was born in Victoria, Australia, and though he has done his fair share of surfing in California, he resides in Australia.

BUZZY TRENT

Born in 1929, Trent was more than just a natural in the water. The San Diego native earned a football scholarship to USC before breaking his leg, which let him focus on surfing. Trent was known for his surfing during the ’50s, when the big-wave frenzy was taking center stage in Hawaii.

Trent died in 2006 at the age of 77.

DREW KAMPION

Kampion is the first journalist to be inducted into the Walk of Fame. He was the editor in chief of Surfing magazine. Kampion is also the author of a number of surfing books, among them “The Book of Waves,” “Stoked!” and “A History of Surf Culture.”

LYNN BOYER

Boyer is the only woman among this year’s list of inductees.

Perfecting her skills as a kid growing up in Hawaii, Boyer won world titles in 1978 and 1979: She was the first woman to win more than one title. Like Chew, Boyer is also an artist.

HALL OF FAME

MIKE PARSONS

Parsons is best known for successfully surfing a 66-foot wave at Cortez Bank in 2001. The San Clemente native was rewarded $66,000 by Billabong — the highest prize ever awarded in professional surfing — for that feat, and has been a notable name around the world of surfing ever since.

BRAD GERLACH

Like Parsons, Gerlach is also known for his involvement in the big-wave movement. Gerlach is a graduate of Huntington Beach High and is the founder of the National Surf League.

SEAN COLLINS

Though Collins is an experienced surfer in his own right, he is best known for being the founder of surfline.com, a website which tracks surfing conditions around the world.

Originally from Pasadena, Collins was named one of the 25 most influential surfers of the 20th century by Surfer Magazine.

WAYNE ‘RABBIT’ BARTHOLOMEW

Bartholomew burst onto the international surfing stage in the mid ’70s, winning a world title in 1978.

Originally from Australia, Bartholomew was one of a number of surfers who helped get professional surfing off the ground during the decade.

He is a main subject of the new surf documentary, “Bustin’ Down the Door.”

IF YOU GO

WHAT: The Huntington Beach Walk of Fame (2008 unveiling)

WHEN: 10 a.m., July 24

WHERE: In front of Jack’s Surfboards, 101 Main St., Huntington Beach

WHAT: The Surfers’ Hall of Fame 2008 induction ceremony

WHEN: 10 a.m., July 25

WHERE: In front of Huntington Surf & Sport, 300 Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach