Henry Ford

Henry Ford rode his first wave in Hermosa Beach in 1948.  His mentors were Hoppy Swarts, Leroy Grannis, the Meistrell brothers of Body Glove wetsuit fame, Hap Jacobs, and Dale Velzy.  All of these surfing and surf industry legends were his neighbors in Hermosa Beach.  His Mira Costa High School graduating class included Greg Noll, Bing Copeland, Sunny Vardemann, Dewey Weber, and Rick Stoner. Can you imagine?
One of those famous surfers, later nicknamed ‘The Bull’ just might have thrown Henry through a bathroom window during those carefree high school days.

Henry styling at 22nd St., Hermosa Beach. Photo: Leroy Grannis

His South Bay surfing included many winter days making the long walk down and back up the trail to PV Cove (no wetsuit, no lunch, burning tires to keep warm). He was a member of the “Double Deuce Danglers” of 22nd Street in Hermosa Beach, one of the early surf clubs/teams.
Henry was also a regular at Malibu during the 50s and early 60s along with such notables as Terry “Tubesteak” Tracy, Mickey Dora, Johnny Fain, Mike Doyle, Mickey Munoz and Gidget.

Henry charging big Haleiwa

He was an early pioneer of the North Shore in Hawaii and was featured in some of Bruce Brown’s early films including “Slippery When Wet,” “Barefoot Adventure,” and “Surfing Hollow Days.”  Those early North Shore sessions included Henry charging big Sunset Beach and nearly maxed-out Haleiwa on a 40 pound California-style longboard. Henry had the chance to be one of the featured surfers in “The Endless Summer,” but turned it down!
In the early years Henry started sweeping up (for free) in the Velzy and Jacobs surfboard shop, then worked in sales for Velzy and Jacobs, and later Jacobs Surfboards, where his outgoing, friendly personality served him in good stead.  He was in charge of the Jacobs surf team during its glory years with surf stars such as Lance Carson, Ricky Hatch, Johnny Fain and Robert August.
Henry was also a Los Angeles County lifeguard for 23 years, participating in every competition from 1958 to 1981 and was on several winning teams.

In 2008 Henry and Peff Eick were inducted into the Hermosa Beach Surfers Walk of Fame

Henry moved to San Clemente, where he still lives, more than 20 years ago and spent a long period working for Stewart Surfboards.  Both Stewart and Hobie Surfboards have a Henry Ford model.
He eventually moved into the apparel section of the surfing business with Koko Island.  Coming somewhat full circle from his Malibu days, he has also been involved with “Gidget Worldwide Promotions.”

Judging a longboard contest. Photo: Glenn Sakamoto

For several years he has been involved in putting on and judging longboard surfing events, including the Rabbit Kekai Invitational in Costa Rica, which has now moved to Hawaii to make it easier on Rabbit, and others.  Henry is passionate about preserving the history of surfing and giving back to an endeavor that has shaped his life.


   

That same style, 40+ years later

Henry Ford grew up as part of an extended “surfing family” in the South Bay and he continues to be an active member of an even larger surfing family today, with his involvement in longboard surfing contests, many aspects of the surf industry and preserving surf history and culture.  Now in his 70s, he’s still a stoked gremmie and a regular at San Onofre and some favorite spots in Costa Rica and Mexico.

That’s all, folks!

Addendum:  Henry recently had double knee replacement surgery.  He took his rehabilitation seriously and as a result, he’s back in the water surfing better than ever, popping up like a South Bay gremmie!

EXTRAIDO DE: http://surfmuseum.org/henry-ford/