James "Jimmy" Blears Jr, 62 - Former World Surfing Champion
BobF
http://www.surfline.com/surf-news/rip-james-jimmy-blears-jr_52400/
RIP: JAMES 'JIMMY' BLEARS JR.
Former Hawaiian pro, longtime North Shore Lifeguard passes
By: Sam George
On February 6th, 2011, James Blears Jr. died in his sleep at friend's
residence in Honolulu, Hawaii. He was 62.
Eldest son of famous wrestler and surf contest commentator James
"Tally Ho" Blears, 'Jimmy' literally grew up on the beaches of Waikiki
and Makaha in a surfing family that included his colorful father,
sister Laura and brother Clinton.
A powerful goofyfoot, Blears became one of Hawaii's best-known junior
surfers, riding for the prestigious Weber Team and dominating the
Hawaiian Surfing Association ratings throughout the late-60s, early
70s.
But it wasn't all Ala Moana and Ewa Beach: Blears was one of the few
surfers who ventured out to giant Makaha Point on that epic day in
1969 when Greg Noll caught his iconic last ride, and his performances
at North Shore spots like Pipeline and Sunset were as flamboyant as
his characteristic mutton-chop sideburns.
Blears' competitive highlight came when as a member of a strong
Hawaiian team he won the 1972 World Surfing Championship at Ocean
Beach San Diego, topping a field that included David Nuuhiwa, Peter
Townend and Michael Ho. While that event is perhaps best known for
Nuuhiwa's favorite Fish having been stolen and hung in effigy from the
O.B. Pier, it's often forgotten that Blears also rode a Fish in the
final. Yet despite his World Champion title the Nuuhiwa Incident
placed a permanent asterix by Blears' name in the record books.
Few big contest results followed his '72 win and Blears eventually
settled into life on the beach as a City and County Lifeguard, where
for over 20 years he surveyed the passing surf scene -- and rescued
countless numbers of hapless tourists -- from the Sunset Beach Tower.
Although plagued in later years with substance abuse issues, Blears
had reportedly completed a rehabilitation program and had moved in
with friends on the island of Kauai. He had only recently returned to
Oahu when on the evening of February 6th his lifeless body was
discovered lying in bed at a friend's residence.
While Blears might well be the least-known world champion in the
sport's history, he certainly was one of the most well-liked, his
passing all the much sadder for having come so soon and so sudden.
--
"Goodnight sweet prince. And flights of angels
sing thee to thy rest."
Requiescat in pace
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Wax-up and drop-in of Surfing's Golden Years: <http://www.surfwriter.net>
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BobF
Previously on alt.obituaries Fri, 11 Feb 2011 14:19:57 +1300 to be
exact, BobF <b...@surfwriter.net.not> wrote thusly:
>Eldest son of famous wrestler and surf contest commentator James
>"Tally Ho" Blears, 'Jimmy' literally grew up on the beaches of Waikiki
>and Makaha in a surfing family that included his colorful father,
>sister Laura and brother Clinton.
In an earlier post about Jack LaLanne I mentioned the show-biz people
who would donate their time to visit Cabot-Kaiser Hospital in Santa
Monica and entertain and encourage the young patients recovering from
polio as well as those being treated for a variety of neuro-muscular
conditions.
"Lord" James Blears was another one of those generous people.
--
"It's not that I'm afraid to die. I just don't want to be there when it happens." - Woody Allen