Legendary surf artist Roy Gonzalez paying his respect to the Paskowitz family.
Saturday night saw a gathering of surf royalty to look back at the life of the man known to the world simply as Doc. The Paskowitz Family, A Surfing Legacy opened at San Clemente’s Surfing Heritage and Culture Center.
Jericho Poppler and Peter “PT” Townend. World champs and legends.
Doc’s family was dubbed by the New York Times as the “First Family of Surf.” They traveled the world, all 11 of them crammed into a 24-foot camper, Doc donating his medical services to those in need. They started the first ever surf camp, in San Diego, to teach more people how to surf, as Doc believed that was a key to living a long and healthy life. Doc even published a book on the subject called Surfing and Health. It’s an amazing read from one of surfing’s best storytellers.
The Paskowitz family, led by youngest son Joshua, curated the exhibit with the help of Barry Haun at SHACC. In addition to photographs dating back to 1931, news clippings and video, there were surfboards, a pair of Doc’s old trunks, paintings by Joshua, and artifacts of a life well lived.
Former world longboard champion and Surfers’ Healing founder Israel Paskowitz with this family.
Hundreds of people showed up to pay tribute to the man and respect to the family. Juliette held court like the queen she was to her beloved king. She graciously posed for photos with young and old alike. Also in attendance was daughter Navah, and sons Jonathan, Abraham, Israel, Salvador, and Joshua.
From left to right: Paskowitz siblings Jonathon, Joshua Ben, Salvador and Navah
The night culminated with the premier of a video by Doug Prey, award-winning documentarian of the movie Surfwise, highlighting the world-wide paddle outs honoring the passing of Doc last fall. The family fielded questions from the audience to cap off the night.
SHACC Founder Dick Metz told the story of how someone told him to go see the Ding Doctor in Hawaii to get his board fixed. That started a life-long friendship.
SHACC Executive Director and legendary Hawaiian surfer Paul Strauch introduced tonights event.
Juliette and World Champion surfer Peter “PT” Townend reminisce about Doc and “before the good old days.”
Jonathon Paskowitz just adores his friend and business partner Geoff Hanzlick.
Doc Paskowitz is remembered for spreading the spirit of Aloha everywhere he went. He preached healthy eating, surfing, and a lot of sex. So, this week make sure to eat your veggies, get in the water and… (the photo below says it all).
The exhibit runs through April 23, 2016 at San Clemente Surfing Heritage and Culture Center, 110 Calle Iglesia.
For more information please call (949) 388-0313.
To see more work by Joshua Paskowitz, go to www.alohadoc.com
