Malibu Surfing Association - Gary Stellern Profile
BIO
NAME: Gary Stellern
BORN: June 10, 1934
HOMETOWN: Pasadena
STANCE: regular
STARTED SURFING: learned in 1943 or 44 at Hermosa Beach. We would stay at friend's house on the Strand for many weeks during the summer. I found a board at the high tide line and neighbors taught me the basics of surfing. Started surfing continually 1961/62.
STARTED COMPETING: 1965, Lahaina, Maui. Have now won contest trophies in 5 different decades.
SURFING INFLUENCES: Less Williams, John Boozer
FAVORITE MANUEVERS: top turn, bottom turn
BOARDS: Gary Holley, Anderson
VINTAGE BOARD: 1970 6'1" fish - 9 made for over 14 years. I have two left.
FIRST BOARD: dark color with the face of a wolf on it. 1943 or '44.
JOB: retired school teacher
FUTURE PLANS: eliminate some of the joint pains
TRAVELS: Hawaii (taught school in Maui '65-'66), Mexico, Maui
OTHER INTERESTS: my wife Linda, keeping our flowers happy, getting the '32 to go faster
NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE: broke an eardrum when a wave hit me. Was alone, 100 yds out and could not get on my board due to vertigo. Everything was spinning around and I was unable to tell which way to swim to get ashore. I finally yelled for help and eventually someone paddled over and guided me in.
ONE THING YOU'D SAVE IN A FIRE: my wife, the '32 Ford roadster
FAVORITE FOOD: good sea food
SOUNDS: Western music from 1938-48. Rock n' roll from 1950-58. Folk music from 1957-60.
WHAT YOU'RE LISTENING TO NOW: Talk radio.
SURF FLICKS: Moods of Surfing
WEBSITES: Surfline and Wetsand
GUIDING LIGHTS: integrity
QUOTE: "Walk softly and carry a big stick." - Theodore Roosevelt -- or --
"I'm 58 now so I am pushing it. But you just gotta go, you can't stop. Once you stop you get old." - Herbie Fletcher
CHOOSE ONE
BASKETBALL / FOOTBALL
BLONDE / BRUNETTE
BRAINS / BRAWN equal
BURGERS / SANDWICHES
GOLF / TENNIS
TEA / COFFEE
PEPSI / COKE
CAKE / PIE
SMOOTHIES / ICE CREAM FLOAT
TATTOO / PIERCING
SHORT / LONG SKATEBOARD
SHORT / LONG SURFBOARD
BEACH CHAIR / TOWEL
