As many of you know, we've lost Rob Pollard. His mother Willow has graciously sent packets of his ashes to mat surfers in the US and Australia, and there will be paddle outs in his honor in both countries.
Two memorials are taking place in the US this Monday, October 11th. This is Willow's birthday, so with her blessing, we chose it as the date for our events.
One paddle out will be at Steamer Lane at 9AM. Meet up at the statue.
The second will be at Refugio State Park, north of Santa Barbara. We will begin gathering around 2PM, but the paddle out won't be until 4PM. Meet up in the public lot along the shore.
If you're familiar with Rob via Surfmatters and other social media, but can't make it, please keep him in your heart next Monday. It will mean the world to his friends and family.
4 comments:
Surfing 60 years makes you take things for granted with a touch of cynicism. But Rob's enthusiasm made me realize what a privilege it is to ride waves, especially on a bag of air. His enthusiasm infected me like I was a 14 year old gremmie! Thanks so much, Rob, you were a blessing to our world-wide community. Ride on, your inflation will be perfect every time and may your waves continue to be joyous!
Maybe we should honor him by invoking his name whenever you get a wave that makes you super-stoked to the point that you have to yell, "I just got a "Rob Pollard wave!" "Eeewwww!"
I kept Rob in my thoughts and prayers on my Monday morning session in Isla Vista. I'm guessing the Refugio session at 4pm was either blown out or burned out due to the Alisal Fire. Perhaps a reschedule . . .
I love the comment above, especially getting "Rob Pollard wave!" "Eeewwww!"
Did it ever happen at Refugio? The park closed down in the early afternoon because of the fire
Now know as the Alisal fire
We had two hiccups...
Dirk Brandts' wife Maria tested positive for breakthrough Covid the day before, so Dirk had to be very careful around others. Then the fire broke out. I arrived as they were shutting down the park, so I continued on down the 101 down the Campus Beach, and had my own memorial for Rob there. Dirk, along with Cher and Steve Pendarvis, were able to have a quick ceremony before the Refugio park was shut down.
So, it didn't go as planned. Jonathan Hess and Jonathan Steinberg held their memorial at Steamer Lane in the morning, and it was very nice.
Dirk is putting together a video of the events of the day. Surfmatters will post it in the near future.
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