The spirit of Windansea surf culture was absolutely palpable this past Saturday, June 28th, as we gathered for the Mike Hynson paddle out, held on what would have been his 84th birthday. The Windansea Surf Club, true to form, hosted another iconic event to honor Mike, drawing a vibrant crowd to the legendary stretch of sand.
Hy Times
Searching for perfect waves
he travels the world with boards he made.A rebel was for him so cool–grace under fire–surfers rule.
Charger, He always loved the life he lived.
Hy times–that’s what he did–harmony.The style he has mirrors the waves
Endless Summers movies made.Surfing was for him
so natural
The art of design
& the oceans pull.
As I walked up the beach, the atmosphere was already buzzing. My eye was immediately caught by Sean Mattison of Von Sol Surfboards, who was getting ready to paddle out on some of the very last boards shaped by Mike Hynson himself, adorned with incredible art by StarManAir. These were the same captivating surfboards that had been on display at the 2024 Board Room Show, and to see them poised for their first — and likely only — oceanic ride was truly mesmerizing. I stood there, jaw practically on the sand, watching as they were meticulously waxed, feeling the palpable sense of history and the vibrant energy emanating from their “gaping eyeball” art.
My own board for the paddle out was a personal favorite: my most ridden late 1970’s Surfing’s New Image singlefin, expertly shaped by none other than Donald Takayama. Out of some 40 boards, this one holds a special place, with its spiritually stimulating ’70s airbrush fade, all impeccably restored by the legendary Joe Roper.
As the paddle out began, I ran into two dear friends: Karl Eiberhard, who worked at Canyon Surfboards back in the 1970s, and Bob Penuelas, the brilliant mind behind the iconic Wilbur Kookmeyer cartoon strip for Surfer Magazine. And speaking of Bob, I’m thrilled to share a NEWSFLASH: after advocating for his inclusion, Bob Penuelas has officially accepted his 2025 Induction into the San Diego Surfing Hall of Fame! He will be celebrated on Wednesday, September 10th, 2025, at the Mission Bay Boat & Ski Club. Tickets for this ceremony, honoring more San Diego surfing legends, will be on sale soon.
North of the Windansea peak, over 200 surfers formed a giant, welcoming circle, ready to send Mike some righteous vibes. The scene was pure magic, amplified by a nearby Lifeguard boat firing its water cannon into our midst, adding to the joyous tribute.
None other than Hank Warner, the “MC of Surfing” himself, presided over the remembrance of our friend and surfing mentor, with Mike’s close family and friends gathered at the circle’s center. Flowers were tossed onto the water, and shouts of joy crashed like a gigantic wave, a powerful send-off for Mike’s spirit to ride into eternity.
As the circle celebration began to wind down, I noticed two sets hitting Windansea’s left, largely unridden. A few of us decided to paddle the 500 yards south. By the time I arrived, my friend Mikey Rat was already in the pit, expertly riding an inflatable mat, truly embodying his lowered-powered ethos. Coincidentally, Mikey shares Mike Hynson’s birthday, and his “Meeting of the Mats” birthday party was set for the following morning in Mission Beach.
I sat outside at Windansea, patiently waiting for a set wave, and soon we were joined by everyone else who had spotted the breaking left. Joel Tudor took off first, kicking off the post-paddle out surf session, followed by others like JoJo Roper and Skip McCullough. I aligned myself where I thought the left peak would be, based on the shack’s position, and was eventually rewarded with an overhead left that I carved with around the inshore surfers. It was a perfect way to end a truly meaningful morning.
Mike Hynson was more than a surfer; he was a vanguard. Before the world fully embraced surfing, Mike was blazing trails across the planet. Before skateboarding became mainstream, Mike was demonstrating yoga moves on a board, showcasing a different kind of flow. When the world was focused on self-destruction, Mike was vibrantly advocating health foods and, within the psychedelic movement, championing peaceful outcomes.
Mike was truly on the vanguard of human transformation towards joyous and sustainable peace. As he enjoyed his own grand adventure, he showed all of us how to live our own. Thanks, Mike! You are deeply missed, and your legacy shines on.
