Surfer Sparky Hudson returns to Hermosa Beach
Sparky Hudson’s ‘60s surf crew (left to right, seated) Karen Kruse, John Teague, Hap Jacobs and Henry Ford. (Standing) Kenny Brown and his wife, Lance Carson, Bruce Ehlers, Abel Ybarra, Sparky Hudson, Bob Markland, Marie Case, Steve Wilkings, Kiki Folley, Bruce Herman, Griff Houston, Mark Turner, Mike Purpus, Steve Wible, John DeGroot and Tim Elsner. Photo by Sixto Caceres Surfboard shaper Hap Jacobs walked up to Sparky Hudson at the barbecue thrown in Sparky’s honor last month said, “Out of all the people I expected to make it past 60 you would be last on my list.” The barbecue was at the Hermosa Beach walk street home where Sparky grew up and where his sister Robyn now lives. She had invited all of our old ‘60s crew, including Lance Carson, Henry Ford, John Teague, and photographers Steve Wilking and Bruce Herman, Sparky and I laughed at Hap’s comment even though we knew he was serious. He and I had talked Hap into making us new surfboards for the ’64 Santa Monica Mid Winter Surfing Championships. Then, we almost missed our first heat because we were still drunk from partying the night before. Hap was furious. “I don’t know what I’m going to do with you guys,” he said. Sparky…
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