This message arrived in my E-Mail this evening. Enjoy life while you can amigos… Diff developed pneumonia yesterday and is unconscious. Sadly,it is only a matter of time.
This message arrived in my E-Mail this evening. Enjoy life while you can > amigos…>>> Diff developed pneumonia yesterday and is unconscious. Sadly,it is only a > matter of time. Bummer.I hate to hear stuff like that.When I was told of Da Cat’s condition (soon after he was diagnosed) it ripped a part of my soul out.Now, it seems, another piece will soon be displaced.My prayers go out to Diff and his family.
Bummer.I hate to hear stuff like that.When I was told of Da Cat’s > condition (soon after he was diagnosed) it ripped a part of my soul > out.Now, it seems, another piece will soon be displaced.My prayers go out > to Diff and his family. Legendary Surfers Log #16 is reporting that he has passed away. They have a reference to an interview he did a few years back. Always loved the look of his boards. Patrick
SHAPES and a SHAPER that should set the standards for along time to come. Rest in Peace. and thanks …Steve Brom
Diff passed away Thursday 5-16-02 at 6:30 in the morning at Kahuku Hosp. Thanks for all the good times and great shapes,we’ll miss you but we’ll never forget you.
Diff passed away Thursday 5-16-02 at 6:30 in the morning at Kahuku Hosp.>>> Thanks for all the good times and great shapes,we’ll miss you but we’ll > never forget you. We love you Diff see ya in paradise
John you are one of the few shapers that are in Diff’s league.I met you at Oceanside Surfboards (Bill Fineburg) in Fla. many years ago when I was running around with Wayne Land…may he also rest in peace. Sure would like to hear from you more on this site…you have a lot to contribute.The thing that you are doing for Native Americans is great.
…They just plane on a higher level !!!
…They just plane on a higher level !!! Well said!!!
It was 1969 and I’d been shaping 2 years and thought I was getting pretty good. I borrowed a board that one of my Dad’s friends owned. It was shaped by Diff. I realized at that point that I had a LONG way to go. Shapers never really die, As long as their boards are still being enjoyed by surfers. When a board gets shaped, there’s a little bit of the shaper’s soul locked in that will never come out. We’re starting to lose our mentors at a rapid rate. Kind of an empty feeling inside as each one passes. aloha
Shapers never really die, As long as their boards are still being enjoyed > by surfers. When a board gets shaped, there’s a little bit of the shaper’s > soul locked in that will never come out. We’re starting to lose our > mentors at a rapid rate. Kind of an empty feeling inside as each one > passes.>>> aloha I’ve been thinking about this whole thread on Mike Diffenderfer, who I did not know at all other than through word of mouth and surf magazines. Aside of seeing some nice boards, what I recall most significantly about the person are photos and movies in which he is smiling. That may sound like a small thing, but take a look around at the beach or the current magazines. Smiling can be seen as a sign of weakness or as something the paid elite do as “part of the job”. While this discussion board is (usually ;-)) focused on craft, let us remember character as well - integrating both can only make a better product and legacy. Which, I think, is why so many here have taken the time to memorialize Diffenderfer. Nels
I’ve been thinking about this whole thread on Mike Diffenderfer, who I did > not know at all other than through word of mouth and surf magazines. Aside > of seeing some nice boards, what I recall most significantly about the > person are photos and movies in which he is smiling. That may sound like a > small thing, but take a look around at the beach or the current magazines. > Smiling can be seen as a sign of weakness or as something the paid elite > do as “part of the job”. While this discussion board is (usually > ;-)) focused on craft, let us remember character as well - integrating > both can only make a better product and legacy. Which, I think, is why so > many here have taken the time to memorialize Diffenderfer.>>> Nels One of Diff’s good friends told me that after Mike had died , his planner and templates were stolen by the pack of wolves on the north shore. Sad end to this story.
One of Diff’s good friends told me that after Mike had died , his planner > and templates were stolen by the pack of wolves on the north shore. Sad > end to this story. Sometimes life is like a test. Testimonials here say Diffenderfer passed; actions on the north shore would seem to say others fail, and fail miserably. Hawaii may be the geographic heart of surfing, but the soul has scattered. Pockets remain there and elsewhere. If we see a magazine run an ad for hot shapes from the templates and planer of Mike Diffenderfer, then we’re all hosed.