Does anyone know these fellows, they were from the South Bay, L.A. area. Ron Vernia, Don Wolfson, John Fodor, Joel Fawcetta. I roomed with them on Ke Nui Rd, across from Kamies Market, after the guys I came over with, went back to the mainland. It would be nice to hook up and talk story. We had some good adventures, that season.
Bumping back up, because I really want to track these guys down. As I remember John was a catcher on the USC baseball team. Ring any bells for anyone?
Howzit Bill, John Foder was from South Gate Ca and I knew him and his brother but have forgot the brothers name. John lived on Kauai when I got here and saw him a couple of times but he lived on the West side and me on the North Shore. My brother used to date Joels sister Ann i H.S. and I knew him also and he was living in HB for years and would surf with him at the pier.Cincode Mayo 1965, San Miguel, 5 cars all surfers and it was dbl overhead and we are all hung over but the we surfed and Joel was one of the guys out that morning. Those are some names from the past but I have not heard from them for so long and have no idea where they are now. Thanks for the memories. Aloha,Kokua
Man, talk about a small world! That is outstanding that you knew a couple of the guys. We all made the obligatory trip to Waimea Falls together. There were about ten of us ( it was Ryan Dotson's first island trip) John Fodor, myself, and Henry Sutton, were the only ones that went off the highest jump spot at the falls. That was a long way down, but it went quick! Let me know when you get settled on the mainland, we need to crack some beers, and chat.
Howzit Bill,Ryan as another good friend and great shaper. Been off that jump since it was part of my initiation to the North shore and since I was a diver on the HS swim team I did it once as hands first dive and I remember my head hurting after that one. that was the jump on the left side of the falls ( as you looked at them)where most people dove off the one on the right side which was shorter but not all that much. I will definitely get in touch and tip a few with you since I may have some issues eating, but as I write this I have a Bud Light in my other hand. Aloha,Kokua
Bill/Kokua,
I see that you both mention Ryan Dotson. I knew Ryan during his short run on Maui, with “Lahaina Surf Shop”. While attending UH on Oahu, see him frequently when he was shaping for Surfline Hawaii. It has been a long, long time since I have heard anything about him. Just wondering if anyone knows where Ryan is now. I think the last time I heard anything about him was from Craig Lockwood, and nothing since.
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Just wondering if anyone knows where Ryan is now?
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Last thing I heard, he was on Kauai, and was a Pastor. That was at least ten years ago. I don't know if it's true, just what I heard.
Howzit Bill, I know Ryan wasn' on the North shore or I would have certainly known and I never heard of him being on Kauai but that doesn't mean he wasn't here, maybe he was on the South side and since we are like tribes on Kauai, one side doesn't know what's gong on with the other sides. Maybe Ambrose would know amd I wish I had known since I would have gone and found him and talked story with him about the days of yore.
Puamana: Is this Craig Lockwood one of the Lockwoods from San Diego, If so his brother Tom is on the big isalnd now.Aloha,Kokua
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Just wondering if anyone knows where Ryan is now?
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Last thing I heard, he was on Kauai, and was a Pastor. That was at least ten years ago. I don't know if it's true, just what I heard.
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ryan dotsun is in des moines,
he's on "facebook"
i believe he would love to hook up with the old crew
Hi Bill, I’m stunned. I’ve been on the internet for only a short time and on Facebook for a few weeks and mahalo to Jim Devlin, Richard Dowdy and a couple of others for their kokua in taking me back to a heartfelt place & time of my life.I have lived in Iowa for the past 30 yrs where I’ve grown a family with 3 grown kids, 2 grandaughters and another due in Sept… Also have a hawaiian son and Peruvian daughter. Our family here all trained for numerous years for the Olympic stlye tournament circuit making it to the international level with my daughter almost making the 2000 Olympic team in Sydney Although we aren’t training my 26 yr old son is considering getting back into the ring aas a MMA fighter. Currently I recently retired a work in a restaurant pt. I’m trying my hand at writing a book and asked Richard Dowdy for kokua…we’ll see.Enough about me. I do remember you , but can’t remember if you’re a La Jolla high alumni? I do remember you as a master craftsman, and although I had made boards most of my life I wasn’t known as a craftsman of your caliber. Over the years of moving around I was left with with few surfing pics…until I hooked up recently with Dowdy & Devlin. I appear to look the same healthy surfer as I did in La Jolla, still have all my hair, most of the teeth and the same waist size as HS, but all that bouncing off the bottom @ the Pipe and in the Martial Arts rings around the country, I can best describe my health as so-so. At this point in my life, reconnecting with the old crew and getting a few pics has become important to me. Mahalo to all who have helped with the pics and want to stay connected to the crew who enriched my life forever. I’m really interested in visiting with others here from the glory days of backyard shapers and those who enjoyed jumping into the barrels of fun @ the Pipe, Sunset, etc. Stay Stoked, RD
ryan,
when your boards end up in auction next to B.K. and "Dicks" your a little above just another backyard/underground shaper.
i would love just to see a picture of one of those "slipper" boards you guys had in summer of 69
jim
I was 17 yrs old in pic and my first day to jump into Waimea. The board is blocking you view of the stain on my trunks.
Ryan,
Glad to read your response. Almost positive you would not remember me by name, but might recognize me from your time on Maui (even though I was a keiki during that time), and after that, your time on Oahu, particularly at Surfline Hawaii. The boards you shaped were always among my favorites, and listing you as a "backyard shaper" is far from the truth.
The logo from Lahaina Surf Shop is still burned into my memory of my small kid days on the Westside of Lahaina. One of my favorite all time logo's. A few years ago, I saw one of these in the Hawaiian Surf Auction. It looked immaculate and took me back to the old days of Lahaina Harbour, etc.
You just took me back, I havent heard them termed as “slippers” for awhile which was I think originated by the Chris Gardner/ Foster Village gang. FYI : the Lollys coined em as Pocket Rockets which pretty much stuck. The pics of those slippers started rolling in yesterday so I’ll slip you one soon. My friend also sent me a pic of my shaping shack @ Sunset Point. I’ll get some of together along with your request for your " interview for surfers journel"…pretty funny actually. Mucho aloha for your kokua for your sending me the motherlode of info & pics. My family in Iowa is loving it. RD
i'm on pins and neddles to see those pictures
i've spent hours trying to pull something out of the web about you,
i believe i have a copy of the 70's duke,(i have some bootleg copys, but don't remeber what years) have them stash out kekaha way
and "where did chris live?"hahahahahahha
foster village was a gas, i'm proud to be one of the "foster freaks"
the longs, the grants, and the lee's
hanging with carl fasi
the summer of 69,
best times
jim
I’m hungry right now so get off the pins and needles until I can get some grub, those can get a little uncomfortable. Judging by how much info you’ve sent, it would take me weeks since I’m new friends with my computer machine. Again mucho mahalo. In regards to Carl Fasi, now you’ve gone too far and really fucked me up, permanently this time…I love that guy. and 1969…my most memorable year in surfing and the year I rode the two biggest waves of my life and fit it all on the end of this last brain cell. I’ll get back @ you asap. RD
"oh worries, beef currey"
i getting a prybar and removing myself from this machine, got to get a life,
heading out with girlfriend to roadie for her band,
yay, poor carl,
doing time in Halawa prison after a lifetime total of 37 convictions,
i 've been trying to hunt down licious lee,
no go so far
jim
I’m with u on the prybar
Rock out with your cock out with your girl
Huh…“poor Carl”?
Huh again on Halawa and 37 felonies? even I don"t that many
Ok you lost me again with “licious lee” too? lucious?
I think if you get off this machine you’ll be alright RD
did i missread you,
Carl Fasi went to radford high, i think he lived in the village,
l1969, surfer Licius Lee was bitten on the leg off Makaha by a shark
i believe he rode you boards
jim