Last night I pushed my father into his final ride.
Terrible lungs and a relentless infection saw that he will be returned to the ocean forever.
The original “Grunion”, so named as I was conceived at the wet high tide line, on a full moon night. I never even told him I used his nickname as a screen name.
42 years ago, he laughing and cheering, pushed me into waves along the Huntington cliffs, changing my life forever. As a father of young boys, I now understand his joy.
I hope he stood relaxed and now breathing easy, …in trim … amazed at how beautiful a wrapping wave is…a gift…in the moment…not doing anything…thankful to be…here…now…
Live every minute as if it is on purpose… let those around you know how much they mean to you.
Katrina and the Tsunami, have shown us that things don’t matter…family and friends do.
Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. While this is a time of sadness, I am sure the celebration of Sr. GRUNION's life will bring back many warm and cherished memories.
Your father is now free to ride the greatest surf session of all. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. May peace and strength be with you.
God, how many of us can relate to that. Thanks, Gil. My dad too gave me the gift of ocean admission. I’ve already passed it along to my sons. Priceless thing, we share with our fathers & sons (and mothers & daughters ).
my dad also passed surfing/ wave riding on to me, my most cherished memories are with him in the water. I wish you and your’s the best in life may he enternally be in the great wave playground that awaits all surfers after they die.