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JOHN KISSEL: RIP
SoCal surfer honored in memorial paddle out at HB
By:
Sean Collins
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SoCal surfer John Kissel passed away on Saturday, August 29th in a fatal cliff diving accident at Lake Havasu.
His memorial paddle-out was held on Wednesday, September 9th on the North Side of the HB Pier, with dozens of surfers and friends paying their respects to the local legend.
Johnny Kissel was one of those unique people who could enter the room and the vibe would immediately become light and fun. For a little guy he had a huge presence with a big voice and laugh, along with a great personality, and everyone knew immediately the moment Johnny paddled out into the lineup. |
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Johnny made friends easily wherever he went, and those friendships with so many people expanded several generations of surfers. I first met Johnny in the late 70's when he was about 12 years old and just beginning to surf regularly at Surfside Colony near Seal Beach. Very quickly most of us surfing the area at the time became very aware of Johnny's special surfing ability, as he developed and honed his powerful backside style in the big wedgy bowls during the '82-'83 El Nino winter at Surfside Jetty. I remember we had a local contest in double overhead surf at the Jetty that local surfboard shaper Bruce Jones came to watch, and he was blown away with Johnny's power surfing in sizable surf and began sponsoring Johnny with some boards. During the late '70's and early '80's I was regularly covering my Hindquarter Restaurant bartending, waiting table shifts, and photo jobs, to travel to Baja for weeks on end to chase waves. My biggest problem was to find people who could travel with my wife and I for these extended period of times, but Johnny's parents let him go with us as long as his grades were up in school. Johnny was about 14 years old at the time and we traveled together for about 5 years between 1979-1984, right before Surfline was launched in 1985. I would pay for all the gas and expenses as long as Johnny did ALL THE DISHES during the trips. We became great friends and shared so many epic sessions together in empty great surf that I'll never forget. Johnny was really a great surfer so the added bonus is that I would have someone great to shoot photos, Super 8, and video of during our trips. One classic story was this one trip in Northern Baja when we were trying to find a way to drive into this one perfect point break but needed to avoid all these muddy sections that would bog us down. There was a hill at a pretty steep angle that we thought we could make it over to access the point. I was driving a Nissan King Cab 4WD, my wife was in the front seat, and Johnny was riding in back in the shell but looking through the little sliding glass window into the cab. I was in 4WD but half way up the hill all this loose rock began to shift under the truck so I had to punch it to keep our speed to get over this hill. All of a sudden we heard this big sound behind the truck and when I looked in the rear view mirror I saw an image that will be burned in my brain forever. Apparently the hill was so steep and our path so bouncy over the loose rock, that the back door hatch of the shell opened up and everything in the back of the truck went spilling out the back and down the hill - except Johnny. In the mirror Johnny's eyes were like saucers and with both hands he had this death grip on the tiny cab window while everything in the back of the truck was shifting out from underneath him and rolling down the hill. We made it up the hill and obviously we were stoked that Johnny held on and was OK, but to Johnny it was just another great experience and he had a great laugh. Johnny was also a great fisherman and we always had plenty of fresh fish, lobster and abalone to eat during our adventures. But in freediving Johnny had this tendency to tackle a little more than he could handle, especially as he was kind of a little guy at the time. One time at Scorpion Bay during a flat spell Johnny speared a fish off 2nd point. Suddenly we heard Johnny screaming that he needed help while this big fish was swimming him off into the deep water in the bay away from the point. Of course he wouldn't let go of the spear and all I remember is this wake that Johnny left in the water while this fish was swimming off with him. We really had no idea what he had speared but a couple of us paddled out on longboards out to help, and found that Johnny has speared a huge 6 foot Angelfish, more commonly known as a big sand shark. We got Johnny and the shark back to shore and as the locals knew, the Angelfish were great eating. Another time Johnny was diving near 2nd Point at Scorpion and he saw these huge legs extending out of the top of a big mound of eel grass on a big rock. As typical Johnny would do, he snuck up and grabbed this huge lobster through the grass that he said later just about drowned him when it tried to go back into its hole. Johnny wrestled this monster lobster with no gloves for about 20 minutes trying to get it to shore. Eventually he said he just squeezed the lobster up against his chest so it couldn't snap its tail and he was able to finally get it to shore. We found later that his wetsuit was full of puncture holes from the lobster's tail hooks. Johnny and his lobster are in one of the photos above. The thing I'll always remember most about Johnny is that he simply possessed this incredible positive energy. He always seemed so happy and no matter what the situation he was always so quick to laugh. A great lesson for the rest of us I'm sure. I'm sure we all have so many stories and hopefully more people will share them below in the comments section for all of us to enjoy. RIP buddy, I'll take the right if you take the left. Sean... Schedule of Events for Johnny Kissel's Memorial Wed, Sept 9th 10am St. Mary's by the Sea Catholic Church 321 10th Street (corner of 10th St. & Orange Ave.) Huntington Beach, CA 92648 (714) 536-6913 Immediately following - Paddle out, then Aloha Grill 12pm-2pm *Please pass along MORE SURF NEWS SURFLINE HOME PAGE |
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Comments: (114) Add Your Comment
brad 09/14/2009 01:22 PM
I'll never forget the time Johnny saved an injured seagull from the linup during a 70's surf contest. He surfed it to the beach with the thing over his head. He was naked for the next heat but that's another story...
Bob-1000 09/14/2009 11:32 AM * PREMIUM MEMBER - Nickname
This is a very nice tribute to John.
Sabrina Gibson 09/14/2009 07:53 AM
Johnny Boy was my cousin. He was the sun seemed to shine where ever he went. On 9-9-09, it was "Good Energy Day" in Twitter. Which is what Johnny Boy was "Good Energy". Sean, your article was a beautiful tribute to an amazing person who knew how to live life to the fullest. I remember so many great things about him....one Christmas he baked about 30 plates of yummy cookies and wrote a sweet note with each plate. He gave every one in our family a plate with a note. It was so special.
Jeff Noble 09/13/2009 01:15 PM
I remember back in the 80's after the first end cafe came down the following day was sunny and the surf was insane. anybody who was out was surfing the lineup that was breaking around the end of the pier. Kissel, he was the only guy surfing the most insane inside i have ever seen at HB pier. The waves were rocking the pier and soaking its deck. He was pulling into the sickest and unmakable shacks and just getting swallowed. He'd pop up laughing
Ray Kissel 09/12/2009 11:58 PM
(This goes with my other post...500 characters isn't enough!)The moment Aunt Carol pulled Johnny from that stinking, nasty fountain pool is THE defining moment in any thought or memory I have ever had of Johnny. Sadly, my 49 year old sister Amy Kissel, Johnny's cousin, passed away on September 7th and I was in NY for her funeral. Johnny was a one of a kind. RIP Johnny and give my sister Amy a hug and a smile. She will be doing the same for you!
Ray Kissel 09/12/2009 11:50 PM
Johnny was my cousin and I've got the oldest story about him on this board! He and I are the same age and when I was a kid in 1971 my fam and I drove to HB from NY to visit. Uncle Len and my dad are brothers. We all went to Mission San Juan Capo and Johnny and I were running around like crazy six year olds do. Johnny found the nastiest, algae and seagull shit filled fountain and we were running around the edge of it about three feet off the ground. Johnny fell in and got in so much trouble...
Greg Daly 09/12/2009 07:39 PM
Remember watching John catch his first waves at SS Jetty... He would catch the white water, stand up, and ride all the way to the sand.... Huge smile on his face...It was just a beginning.... John the "little kid" had amazing talent... John the "grown man".... a lot of heart. My prayers go out to the family... Rest In Peace John.
09/12/2009 05:34 PM
he was a good guy with a great heart
Chucky Rigano 09/12/2009 04:47 PM
Kissel was the raddest guy ever. Memories of him bring nothing but laughter & good vibes.
Shane Jackson 09/12/2009 03:40 PM
What a great story about the lobster he got in Baja.I didn't know him but reading the article about him gave me inspiration to live life to the fullest. Shane Missippi
Judah Mehler 09/12/2009 12:22 AM
Awesome tribute Sean and great stories. Growing up Surfing the HB pier for over 29 years now I'd have to say no other boy like are Johnny has left a bigger impression on all of our hearts. Our city has sold out everything that meant anything to us core locals. We've lost every thing that could identify HB as a surf city, what ever that means. The final straw to me was losing Kissle. To the city council: Put Chuck Dent back on Main Street...that would be a nice start.
Pat Lien 09/11/2009 08:15 PM * PREMIUM MEMBER - Real Name
I remember one big south swell several years back, southside was bombing, big and walled, double plus overhead, nobody out, they're all in the safety of northside with the channel. Nobody out, John Kissel was. He was taking off on these massive walls pulling into the barrel straight away coming out just short of the piling or maybe past 'em, hooting, hollering and stoked, setting the standard for the pier. Nobody was like him. Rode for Chuck Dent for 25 years, he ripped, always. Love ya Buddy!
Victor De Marquette 09/11/2009 01:57 PM
Ever since Wednesday..Eveytime I talk about the "Paddel-Out" @ the pier, a rush goes thru me..Its gotta be "Johnny".I was lucky enouhg to work with him @ the "Waterfront Hilton" from 92 to 96. So many stories..from hanging with Kelly Slater & Pam Anderson during the US Open, to Hanging with the boys from "Stone Temple Pilots". And who can forget the "West Coast Club". Johnny was everywere and in charge.He was Room-service so he met everyone..right up his alley...I miss you more then ever,Buddy!!
Robbie Todd 09/11/2009 11:11 AM
Besides being a great surfer and person,he was funnier than shit. I am sure everyone you have touched will miss you beyond words. Very unique. Rest in peace brother. RT
chico 09/11/2009 08:18 AM
View All Comments (114 comments)
i dont know how to start.i had a trailer in mexico for 20 years and johnny did'nt miss many trips even if he only had three bucks to his name there was no denying him.tacos beers waves and of course he would go out and grab a few lobsters he was the entertainment from sun up to sun down.i will miss you brother.love the kissel family ,i will never lose touch..god bless.chico.
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