Waves of emotion

Sue Doyle

They share a common bond with the love of the ocean, waves and each

other.

On Tuesday, 20 surfers gathered on the beach to express that connection

with their friend, John Richard “Dickey” Jones, 52, who died June 9 of

heart failure. They held a surfer’s farewell memorial service for Jones

south of Newport Pier.

It’s a tie that can’t be broken -- not even by death.

“There’s a bond. All surfers have a bond with one another worldwide,”

said Steve Farwell, 34.

The professional longboard surfer said that bond comes with the passion

for the sport. Surfers have turned their sport into a culture that

follows certain traditions.

And following surfing custom, the friends held the memorial service in a

place Jones loved more than anywhere -- the beach, said Ron Young, a

Costa Mesa resident and lifelong friend of Jones.

The group, wearing shorts, T-shirts and wetsuits, formed a circle in the

sand. Surfboards sat close by. The friends sat around a blue-and-white

pinstriped beach chair, which symbolized where Jones would sit. They

filled the chair with their favorite photos, trinkets and an ivy wreath.

Friends shared stories about Jones’ famous “sideways glance and smile.”

Some laughed. Others remained silent and fiddled with the sand.

“This is a tradition among surfers to go out and remember that person

around the ocean lifestyle,” Farwell said.

It was not the first time Farwell had attended a memorial service like

the one held for Jones. Not every surfer receives the same treatment, but

the more prominent ones in the group are remembered in this way, Farwell

said.

Next, the surfers paddled out to sea for a final send-off. A handful of

friends swam past the pier, formed a ring in the water and held hands.

Others stood on the shore and watched in silence.

The tradition derives from Hawaii, said Nick Calvert, a Rainbow resident

who grew up in Newport Beach.

Calvert was beside himself with all the familiar faces he saw at the

memorial. Some were old friends he had not seen in 30 years.

“It’s a shame. Everyone grows up and goes their own way. But you see them

and it all comes back,” he said.

Young paddled back to shore. He shook the water off his body and offered

hugs to his tight band of friends.

“Water gives a current through your body and makes you feel good,” Young

said. “Either you have it or you don’t. But everyone here has that

connection.”