Heart & Humor: Surf's Hall of Fame & DJ's Shred Session
In Huntington Beach, the surf community gathered for an emotional tribute as Kolby Aipa was posthumously inducted into the Surfers' Hall of Fame. At just 20, Kolby's life was tragically cut short by an e-bike accident, but his legacy as a 'Northside Legend' now lives on forever. Family members—including his father Duke, mother Val, and sister Sky—spread his ashes around his new bronze plaque, placed near his grandfather Ben Aipa's handprints outside Huntington Surf & Sport. As Duke Aipa shared during the ceremony, 'I'm trying to embrace this as a moment of pride and love,' reflecting on how Kolby returned to the Duke Kahanamoku's original spirit of aloha. The event drew community members in '#IAmKolby' shirts, with a paddle-out planned at Huntington Pier this weekend. You can read the full story here.
Meanwhile, 300 miles north in Lemoore, DJ Steve Aoki traded turntables for a surfboard at Kelly Slater's Surf Ranch for a barrel clinic that left everyone speechless. Aoki didn't just dabble—he absolutely conquered both left and right barrels, showing surprising finesse in the artificial waves. As BeachGrit noted, his session proves that the ocean doesn't discriminate against day jobs. For surfers who've spent years mastering tube-riding mechanics, watching a DJ nail barrels is both humbling and hilarious. The clip went viral, leaving viewers wondering if they should pick up a board or a DJ controller. Catch the full breakdown over at BeachGrit for inspiration and laughs.
From Huntington's heartfelt ceremony to Lemoore's unexpected joyride, these stories capture surfing's soul—honoring legacy, embracing community, and never taking the stoke for granted.