Surfhenge Surfboard Benches by Malcolm Jones

Artist: Malcolm Jones
Location: Imperial Beach Pier Plaza

Ten 'Surfboard' benches compliment the stunning Surfhenge arches. They are modeled after surfboard styles popular in the 1930s, '40s and '50s. The benches recall Imperial Beach's colorful past and provide a place to rest while dreaming about that perfect wave and enjoying the beauty of Malcolm Jones' public art.

 

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Each of the ten cast concrete and stainless steel benches of Pier Plaza is illustrated below with notes about the Southern California surfing heritage, as they appear on accompanying bronze plaques.

As long as there's been surfing, there's been the quest for the longest ride and the biggest wave. From 1930 to 1950 the total number of California surfers grew from under 70 to over 1500.

 

 

In the 1940's surfers from all over Southern California made the journey to what is now Imperial Beach to surf the then-known biggest waves off the continental United States.

 

 

The Tijuana Sloughs became the testing ground for mainlanders going to Hawai'i. Before Malibu, San Onofre and Windansea groups surfed Makaha and the North Shore of O'ahu, they experienced the thrill and fear of big waves at the Sloughs.

 

"Dean of the Sloughs": In 1937 the Sloughs were first surfed by the legendary waterman Dempsey Holder. Over the years surfers from all over California showed up at Dempsey's lifeguard station at the end of Palm Avenue.

 

Most of California's finest surfers were lifeguards at some stage in their careers. Dempsey often hired guards that could surf the Sloughs.

 

 

Regular Slough Surfers - 1940's and 1950's: Lloyd Baker, John Blankenship, Tom Carlin, Towney Cromwell, Kim Daun, Vern Dodds, Jim "Burrhead" Drever, Jack "Woody" Ekstrom, Bob "Goldie" Goldsmith, Lorrin "Whitey" Harrison, Buddy Hull, Don Okey, Chuck "Gunker" Quinn, Jim Voit.

 

Visiting Slough Surfers 1940's: Gard Chapin, Peter Cole, Richard Davis, Bill "Hadji" Hein, Matt Kivlin, Jack Lounsberry, Harry "Buck" Millar, Skeeter Malcolm, Preston "Pete" Peterson, Joe Quigg, Dave Rochlen, Tommy Zahn.

 

Visiting Slough Surfers 1950's: Buzzy Bent, Pat Curren, Phil Edwards, John Elwell, Walt Hoffman, Jerf "Spiderman" Knox, Rod Luscomb, "Black Mac" McClendon, Bill McKusick, Don Melon, Buzzy Trent, Les Williams.

 

 

"Father of the Modern Surfboard": In the 1940's Bob Simmons applied the principles of hydrodynamics to surfboard design and forever changed the sport of surfing. In 1950 he moved to Imperial Beach.

 

 

Surfhenge is a monument to the role played by Imperial Beach and these big wave pioneers in the history of surfing.

 

All plaque texts based on "Watermen: Tales of the Sloughs" by Serge Dedina.