James Blears, Jr (January 6, 1948 – February 4, 2011) was the 1972 World Surfing Champion.[1]
| Jimmy Blears | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Personal information | |
| Born | James Blears, Jr. January 6, 1948 Santa Monica, California, United States |
| Died | February 4, 2011 (aged 63) Honolulu, Hawaii, United States |
| Surfing career | |
| Years active | 1960s–1990s |
| Best year | 1972 |
| Sponsors | Weber Surfboards |
| Major achievements | 1972 IPS World Champion |
| Surfing specifications | |
| Stance | Goofy foot |
| Favorite waves | Jockos |
History
editJimmy Blears was born in California the oldest son of former NWA and WWA pro-wrestling champion, Lord James "Tally-Ho" Blears, also an avid surfer who appeared in the seminal surfing documentary, The Endless Summer.[2] At the age of eleven Blears moved with his family to Hawaii, where he learned surfing from his father. During his career Blears was a professional C&C North Shore lifeguard for 25 years, as well as being a professional surfer.
Blears died in his sleep on February 4, 2011, in Honolulu, at the age of 63.
Family
editBlears' sister, Laura, was one of the world's top female surfers during the 1970s.[3] His youngest brother, Clinton “Tallyho” Blears was also a noted professional surfer.
References
edit- ^ Encyclopedia of Surfing by Matt Warshaw, 2003; published by Harcourt Books
- ^ Jimmy Blears - Biography Archived 2013-12-14 at the Wayback Machine at World Champions of Surfing; published January 3, 2012; retrieved September 7, 2012
- ^ Hawaii Surfers Surfing Past 60, by David Thompson; at Honolulu Magazine; published December 2011; retrieved September 7, 2012