Q&A with Local Surf Legend Mike Purpus

By Eric Hartman for Patch

The 53rd International Surf Festival came to life this week on the beaches of Manhattan and Hermosa. What better way to celebrate the Surfing Contest today than to talk to local boy and surfing legend, Mike Purpus.

Purpus grew up in Hermosa Beach and graduated from Mira Costa High School in 1966. Mike capped today off with a great win in the 50 and over class – which, when you hear he could hardly walk not too long ago, is even more impressive.

Here’s what we had to know:

PATCH: Can you give me some thoughts about this contest.

MP: It is a great contest, really fun ‘cause all the local kids from the cities, Hermosa, the whole South bay get together and really put on a show for everybody. The South Bay is the actual Surf City because the first surf club came out of the South Bay; the first wave ever ridden was in the South Bay; the first wetsuit was made in the South Bay; the first surfboard that was ever named, right up the street there, Dale Velzy was made [in the South Bay]. So this is like Surf City and everybody just gets together and really put on a show out in the water for everybody. And all the local kids, there is a lot of really good talent out there. They are shredding everything and they like this because this is a fun contest and stuff.

PATCH: You grew up in the area didn’t you?

MP: Yeah, in fact we were in Hermosa and I was U.S. Champ in 1970 and 1975. I was five time invited to Duke [Duke Kahanamoku Classic] Contest. I invented the Roundhouse Cutback and the 360. I was the first guy on the [Surfers] Walk of Fame in Hermosa.

PATCH: Very Good. And you are a local, you went to the schools here too?

MP: Yeah. I went all through from kindergarten through high school through college here.

PATCH: Can you name the grade school, middle school, high school?

MP: I went to North School for kindergarten and grade school. Then I went to Pier Avenue Junior High, and then I went to Mira Costa for High School. By the time I was a junior, they let me miss two periods a day, count it as work experience, so I could go surfing.

PATCH: What year did you graduate Mira Costa?

MP: Ah, ‘66.

PATCH: 66

MP: I just turned , well I turned 65 last November and, ah, I couldn’t even walk 10 years ago. Then I got both my hips replaced and I am brand new again finished second last year in the 50 and over division for the South Bay Board Riders Contest Circuit.

PATCH: You’re looking great. Thank you so much for talking with us today. Really appreciate it!

PHOTO Surfing legend Mike Purpus. Photo credit: Eric Hartman