Surfing
Farewell to a legend: the star of the most iconic surfing film dies
Mike Hynson, surfing legend and star of the beloved film The Endless Summer, has died aged 82. His free spirit was also controversial.
Mike Hynson, an iconic figure in the surfing world and star of Bruce Brown’s legendary film The Endless Summer, has died at the age of 82, leaving an indelible legacy in the history of the sport and surf culture.
Born on June 28, 1942, in Crescent City, California, Hynson grew up between the California coast and Hawaii, where his passion for the waves began to take shape. In the 1950s and 60s, he established himself as both a prominent surfer and a skilled surfboard shaper, remembered especially for his “Red Fin” design under the Gordon & Smith brand. His exploits with the Windansea Surf Club in San Diego became the stuff of local legend.
RIP Mike Hynson
The defining moment of his career came in 1963, when Bruce Brown selected him to star in The Endless Summer alongside Robert August. The groundbreaking documentary reshaped the global perception of surfing, following the two surfers on an epic quest for perfect waves across Africa, New Zealand, and Tahiti. One of the film’s most memorable scenes featured their arrival at Cape Saint Francis, South Africa, where they discovered what they described as “the perfect wave.”
Despite the film’s success, Hynson remained a free spirit and a controversial figure. In the 1960s, he became involved with the Brotherhood of Eternal Love, a collective dedicated to expanding consciousness through the use of psychedelic substances. This chapter added both light and shadow to his storied life.
Hynson’s legacy extends far beyond cinema and surfboards. His vision of surfing as a way of life and exploration continues to inspire generations. His passing leaves a profound void in surf culture. His life, like the waves he cherished, will be remembered for its beauty, power, and boundless energy.
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