On January 1st, 2016, the surf community lost a great pioneer. Larry Gordon, 76, had finally succumbed to Parkinson’s disease, which he had been battling for 10 years.
And on Monday, San Diego locals showed their support of the surfing icon by paddling out at La Jolla’s Tourmaline Beach. Hundreds showed up to honor Larry after family and friends spoke about his legacy. And paying tribute to the late surfboard shaper, many attendees rode G&S Surfboards, the brand Larry and his colleague Floyd Smith co-created.
“They have left an everlasting mark on surfing and skateboarding that can never be taken away,” Jim Gray, who rode for the Gordon & Smith skateboarding team, told NBC San Diego.
While studying chemistry at San Diego State University, Gordon teamed up with Floyd to make surfboards in his garage. The two were interested in revolutionizing the surfboard manufacturing process, by making the boards lighter and more maneuverable. Thus, they utilized the chemicals from Larry’s dad’s business, Gordon Plastics, and built and blew the first foam surfboard. That was a moment that would change surfing forever.
But beyond his impact on surfboards and shapers, Larry touched many people in other ways as well.
“He had a wonderful little smiley smirk,” Gray told NBC. “There are very few humans on this earth that are a kinder, gentler man than Larry was.
