Catching
Waves
Fenwick Island, Delaware 1963 finds
Bill riding a Hobie surfboard. This picture appeared in Bill's
Surfer Magazine story, "Delaware; Where's That?" Published
Apr/May 1964 - V 5 # 2 "Ripple John" Robertson photo.
The Eastern Surfer -
1962
1953 Ford with homemade camper body.
The first modern surfboards ridden on Delaware/Maryland waves came
off the top of the "Surfer Express," surf buggy extraordinaire. The
Eastern Surfer was in business!
Steel
Tower 1963
Another "Ripple John"
shot of Bill dropping in at the place that would be later known as
"Shits," and still later, the site of Sea Colony in Bethany Beach,
Delaware. Bill was paralyzed here on Aug 10,
1965.
Steve White
- 1965
Steve was a summer visitor from
California to Ocean City. Bill slept in the 16th St Eastern
Surfer shop and Steve woke him up at dawn. On June 16 he rode
brilliantly at the jetties where Bill took this picture. It appeared
in Bill's Surfer Magazine article, "Surf; Maryland has
it!" Vol 6 # 6 Jan '66. Tragically, Steve and his brother died
fighting a California brush fire that fall. Surfing East
featured another Steve White noseride in a centerfold
taken by Bill published in their Vol 1 # 2 Fall 1965
issue.
Duke Kahanamoku -
1967
Hobie sent Bill &
Rosalie airline tickets and they found themselves in surfer's
paradise - the North Shore and the Duke contest. This
photo by Leroy Grannis at the presentation ceremonies in the Royal
Hawaiian Hotel preserves the touch of hand from ancient
Hawaiian surfers through Duke Kahanamoku to Bill.
Duke Kahanamoku's biography: http://www.surfline.com/surfaz/kahanamoku_duke.cfm
Indian River Inlet South Side
- 1968
Where the waves dump
over like fat cement pipes. On a July day in 1968 the Johnson
Brothers & Scott Suit carried Bill over in his wheelchair to be
with them. Scott & Al head out for a session with body and
boogie.
Later Skill paddled out on his new short
board, got tubed, and made the wave. Southside was
ridden that day like never before. Bill captured the stoke
on film.
Skill bought his first surfboard from the
Eastern Surfer in 1964 and still has the receipt signed by
Bill. Skill moved to O'ahu more than 30 years ago.
From the beginning he was involved with teaching water sports to
North Shore kids. The Menehune contest continues to be
guided by Skill's unique ability to connect with young
surfers. Deeply involved with surfing, Skill, "The
Voice of the North Shore," has been announcing major contests,
including the Triple Crown, the "Eddie,"and other international
events for many years. Check Skilly's website for
daily updates: http://www.northshorephotos.com/ | 
