HUNTINGTON BEACH A circle the size of a football field made up of surfers stretched across the ocean near the Huntington Beach Pier.

In what many say is the biggest memorial tribute ever held for a surfer in Huntington Beach, friends, family and the surf community gathered on Sunday to pay respects to Surfline founder Sean Collins, regarded as one of the most influential surfers of our time.

Many surfers noted it was fitting that as plans for Collins’ memorial materialized, the biggest swell in more than a year showed up – so large the event had to be postponed a day.

“It was strange timing,” said his son, A.J. “After everything, there was an explosion in the sea. Waves began to hit all coasts.”

About 2,000 people gathered under sunny skies on Sunday to partake in or watch the memorial paddle out, a Hawaiian tradition that allows surfers to pay tribute to one of their own who has died.

SEE PHOTOS OF THE GATHERING FOR SEAN COLLINS’ PADDLE OUT BELOW:

Collins revolutionized the way surfers sought waves, creating a surf forecasting website that allowed surfers to “Know Before You Go,” the Surfline slogan goes. The Seal Beach surfer died of a heart attack at age 59 on Dec. 26.

A ceremony prior to the paddle out was held on the sand where friends and loved ones spoke to the crowd. “I wish he could see the love of community in this world he created, and how many lives he blessed with his science,” A.J. said.

Speeches were given by big-wave riders Taylor Knox and Brad Gerlach, with stories about searching for massive waves around the world. A prayer was given by pastor and friend Sumo Sato. Among attendees were surfing royalty like surfwear creators Bob Hurley and Quiksilver’s Bob McKnight, along with several world champions.

Knox choked back tears as he talked about Collins, whom Collins knew when the World Tour surfer was just an up-and-coming grom in the ‘80s.

“He’s going to be really missed,” said Knox. “He’s an absolute legend. I’m just happy to know the guy… I know he’s here today.”
Huntington Surf and Sport owner and friend Aaron Pai talked about the spiritual connection Collins had with the weather and wind patterns.
“Smell that?” he recalled Collins asking him over breakfast one time in Mexico.
“Bacon and Eggs?” Pai replied.
The weather has shifted, Collins said, literally sniffing the air. He pulled up his Ipad to show a real-time video of a tropical storm brewing – and caught the next flight out to avoid getting pounded.

“He had this magic, this gift,” Pai said. “Who can smell a change in the weather? He had this magical gift, to be able to smell out waves, smell out storms.”

While hundreds of spectators lined the pier, a few hundred surfers took to the water – some clutching flowers – and formed a large circle on the south side of the pier. They held hands, splashed water to the sky.

“His influence on the millions of surfers and non-surfers will impact us for years and decades to come,” said Pai.  “He changed the way we searched for waves, and sought out swells around the world. This man influenced an entire generation.”

 Read the original story from the OC Register about Sean Collins’ life and accomplishments.

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