Surfing
Community Offers Its Support
Written
by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel
Legendary Hawaiian surfer and board
maker Ben Aipa has accomplished things most people only dream about.
From humble beginnings on a Kauai sugar plantation, he's reached the pinnacle
of surfing as a competitor, board shaper and coach.
"Surfing has taken me places I
never thought I'd go," says Aipa, who has received many honors from the
surfing world. And now, as he battles a serious illness, Aipa is seeing just
how much he means to surfing as the surfing community offers its support.
Duke Aipa, Ben's son, appreciates
the love and Aloha that is pouring in and says of his Dad, "He is still
the titan of the Hawaiian waves and the unpretentious trailblazer of the
shaping room whose legacy is forever woven into the kapa fabric of Hawaiian
surf culture."
Named one of the Top Ten Shapers
of All-Time by Surfing magazine and inducted into the Surfing
Hall of Fame, Aipa, the founder of Aipa surfboards, has had a wild ride,
mentored by surfing great Duke Kahanamoku and sharing waves with Hawaiian big
wave surfer Eddie Aikau.
His innovative swallow tail and
stinger surfboards turned heads, while the surfers he coached – Sunny Garcia,
Bethany Hamilton, Andy Irons, and more – won competitions.
In 2014, on the 50th anniversary of
his illustrious career, the Surfing Heritage & Culture Center in San Clemente,
CA, commemorated the event with its exhibit In the Moment with Legendary Ben
Aipa.
The opening night was a love fest
for all, with family, friends, and fans all turning out to hear him tell
stories and share the stoke.
SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and
Patti Kishel could feel the wave of energy in the room.
Near the Aipa exhibit we noticed
another exhibit showcasing the iconic surfing movie The Endless Summer.
It was the perfect pairing since Ben Aipa’s extraordinary career has been one
endless summer.
Even though he can't paddle out now
to enjoy the waves he loves so much, his heart is still in the ocean and he
continues to inspire all those around him.
To help his family with medical
expenses and hospice care, a Ben Aipa Legacy GoFundMe site has been set
up for contributions.
Please post your comment below. Comments will appear the
next day.
Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to
this copyrighted material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them
at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to
post it on social media sites as long as credit is given.
