One of the driving forces in getting surfing into the Olympics, the winner of that first gold medal and a local journalist who has told their stories and those of many others, were inducted into the Surfers’ Hall of Fame on Friday, Aug. 5.
Fernando Aguerre, Laylan Connelly and Ítalo Ferreira join the lineup of more than 90 surfers who have cemented their feet and hands in concrete at the corner of Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach for future generations to admire.
Aaron Pai, founder of Huntington Surf & Sport and creator of the Surfers’ Hall of Fame, said all three inductees are gold medalists in their own ways.
“All inductees of the Surfers’ Hall of Fame have contributed greatly to this sport of surfing, whether through their talent, innovation and/or contribution to our culture,” Pai said. “This place becomes more special with every induction, every month and every year that goes by. After we are all gone, our kids and their kids will be able to come here and experience a little slice of our surfing culture from years past.”
Born in Argentina, Aguerre was introduced to surfing at 12 years old by his brother, Santiago. He’s been chasing waves ever since.
“He is a builder between organizations, cultures and countries as part of this objective of helping to build a better world” Pai said. “He uses surfing to bring people and groups and countries closer together.”
For nearly three decades, Aguerre spearheaded the effort to get surfing included in the Olympic Games – even when others said it was impossible. His determination paid off in 2021 when surfing was included in the Tokyo Olympics.
His four children who attended Friday’s ceremony said Aguerre, who is also president of the International Surfing Association, inspired them to always believe in the impossible.
Aguerre warned of not trying or doing something because that comes with regret.
“That would be the saddest road to go down. Regretting…
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