In brief
Mike Hynson, renowned for his role in the seminal surfing documentary "The Endless Summer," passed away on January 10 in Encinitas, California. His extraordinary contributions to surfing and surf culture will forever be remembered.
Mike Hynson, the distinguished surfer who became a symbol of the surfing lifestyle as a featured star of the acclaimed 1966 documentary “The Endless Summer,” passed away on January 10 at the age of 82 in Encinitas, California. His death, confirmed by Donna Klaasen Jost, co-author of his 2009 autobiography “Transcendental Memories of a Surf Rebel," is believed to have occurred in a hospital, although the cause has yet to be disclosed.Hynson emerged onto the surfing scene during a time when the sport was often viewed through a filter of skepticism, overshadowed by mainstream representations like the playful depictions in “Beach Blanket Bingo” (1965) and a slew of popular Beach Boys songs. He gained recognition not only for his exceptional wave-riding skills but also for his significant innovations in board design, most notably the Red Fin longboard, which he created for Gordon & Smith in 1965.Jake Howard, a surfing historian, reflected on Hynson’s legacy in Surfer magazine, referring to him as “a hot-dog performer, a shaping genius, a cosmic adventurer” who made profound contributions to the sport and culture of surfing. Hynson’s journey transformed him into a legendary figure in surfing lore after he was invited by filmmaker Bruce Brown in 1963 to accompany him and fellow surfer Robert August. Their travels took them to remote surfing destinations across Senegal, Ghana, South Africa, Australia, Tahiti, New Zealand, and Hawaii, in a relentless pursuit of the elusive perfect wave.
