The Original Santa Barbara Surfers

» Tucker Stevens wrote on 08.31.10 @ 10:33 PM

Dick Jurgensen, Mike Doyle and I were living in a house in Summerland behind Yater’s shop. We were all going to Santa Barbara City College. I am holding Bob Cooper’s “Purple People Eater” which I purchased for $50 from Bob. Bob left the USA for Australia to seek his fortune. When he returned, years later, he asked if he could buy it back. I sold to him and it is now in a south bay museum. I learned many surfing skills watching Mike at the Rincon and Hammonds. Dick left Santa Barbara and moved to Hawaii and through his skills as a carpenter earned enough money purchase a small farm. I rediscovered him on a horse ranch in Oregon three years ago. Sadly, after spending a weekend together, telling old surfing stories, he passed away due to cancer. Mike is doing well down in his home in Cabo, Mexico. He runs a surfcamp and paints surfing scenes. We still share memories through the internet and emails. (Jon, if you have any questions about the other photos, I will add some notes for you)

» Deb Trauntvein wrote on 09.01.10 @ 09:54 AM

Since meeting my new friend on Facebook, Tucker Stevens ,(center)..I have learned so much surf history from Santa Babara area and The Hollister Ranch, back in the day…...These pioneers have a history unlike no others on this planet..a rare and lucky breed of young surfers…they surfed when ‘crowds” was not a word in the surf lingo yet! Surfing days in Central California,that most of us can only dream about!