Remembering ‘Jungle’ Jack

Surfers gathered at Rockpile on Tuesday for a paddle-out to remember “Jungle” Jack Denny, a legendary Laguna Beach surfer and clothing designer who died of cancer Sept. 9, 1998, at the age of 33.

Denny founded World Jungle clothing, an early and ground-breaking surfwear company, which started out in 1990 with a $9,000 investment and grew to a $1 million enterprise in two years.

Denny spent six years designing for Gotcha, and also worked for MCD and Bash clothing, before launching his own business.

He came up with the designs for World Jungle while vacationing in Bali, and spearheaded the use of muted “tattoo” inks and designs with hidden details that were a departure from the pastels and bright colors for swimwear of the time. He also used tie-dye.

Denny was known to surf at Rockpile during big south swells, and was considered one of the most influential surfers to come out of Laguna Beach.

His ashes were scattered at Rockpile in 1998. A permanent memorial to Denny hangs at the Laguna Beach Wahoo’s Fish Tacos.

— Cindy Frazier