2011 Surfers’ Hall of Fame: George Downing, Chuck Linnen and Taylor Knox on their way in
Legendary surfers George Downing, Chuck Linnen and Taylor Knox will be inducted into the Surfers’ Hall of Fame on 5 August, 2011. These surfers have done tremendous things during their illustrious careers and have made a big impact on surfing world-wide.
Their contribution to the sport has influenced a generation of surfers and fans alike.
The 2011 Surfers’ HOF induction ceremony will add Downing, Linnen and Knox to the list of surfing superstars and legends that have left a permanent mark on the sport. Since 1997, the event has been paying tribute to the talents of the influential surfers
who have revolutionized the sport. The legends to have received this honour in the past include names such as Laird Hamilton, Mike Doyle, Robert August, Greg Noll, Kelly Slater and Shaun Tomson.
The oldest HOF inductee this year, Downing had started riding the big waves in the 1940’s, an era when big-wave riding was still in its infancy and there was no reward for surfing beyond the satisfaction of the act itself. Since then, his contributions to
the progress of surfing have been massive. Since the very beginning of his surf life, he had concentrated significantly on refining surfing tactics and equipment. He laid down the foundation for the surfboard design suitable for big waves. Downing revolutionized
the concept of surfing, shifting the focus from mere survival to exciting tricks. He studied the waves and different factors that helped to determine the size and direction of the waves.
Downing’s surfing accomplishments include winning the Makaha International in 1951, 1961 and 1965. He also won numerous paddleboard races and successfully coached the Hawaiian team to victory in the 1968 World Surfing Championship.
"[He] is one of the all time greats," said Aaron Pai, owner of Huntington Surf & Sport and founder of HOF.
Linnen is another surfing legend that will be making his way into the HOF this August. The local Huntington Beach surfer rode his first wave in 1954. Four years later, he participated in his first ever contest, the 1958 Oceanside Invitational and made it
to the final. He moved on to participate in the first US Championship at Huntington Beach Pier in 1959, and the 1961 World Contest at Makaha. Linnen recently held the National Scholastic Surfing Association Senior Champ and Western Surfing Association Grand
Master titles.
Knox is the third surfer who will be inducted into the HOF this year. His original rail-to-rail surfing is the envy amongst many of his peers. Pai claims that Knox has influenced an entire generation of surfers. The Southern Californian rode his first wave
at the age of 8, and is still continuing his surfing career. He first qualified for the Association of Surfing Professionals World Tour in 1993. With the exception of 1999, he has participated in the ASP World Tour every year since his first. He reached his
career-best ASP finish, fourth, in 2004. At the end of the 2010 season, he stood at the 20th place. Knox is currently participating in his 17th season of the ASP World tour.
Regarding his induction into the HOF, Knox said, "When they called I thought I was just being considered, but the HOF called again to start getting some photos together and I realized that I was in. I'm really honoured. When you look at the list of guys
that are already there it's pretty amazing."
These legendary surfers rightly deserve their place amongst the greats of the sport. Their induction into the HOF is a time honoured tradition, one the fans have been waiting a long time to see.
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