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MIKE MORGAN: R.I.P
Hundreds attend memorial paddle out for local legend at Huntington Beach Pier
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Saturday morning dawned with a nice little crossed-up combo swell hitting up and down Huntington Beach. At 11:30am, over 300 surfers paddled out on the southside of the HB Pier -- and many more lined the pier -- to pay tribute to one of Huntington's classic characters, Mike Morgan, who passed away last week of undetermined causes.
"There was almost too many people to have one circle," said Surfline's Sean Collins, who paddled out with local legends and groms alike. "We all sat on our boards at first in a really big circle, and his friends took turns holding up Mike's board and yelling."
After a while, Rockin' Fig, Mike's longtime friend and contest announcer partner, stood on a longboard, hoisted Mike's board overhead and started chanting "Morgan, Morgan, Morgan," as the circle became unglued and everyone paddled closer in. There were flowers everywhere, and more than a few dings as everyone paddled closer into the center of the circle and started splashing the water.
"People were crying and laughing," said photographer Chris Sardelis. "Morgan, in his own way brought all of us together. I saw longboarders sitting and hugging shortboarders, guys that hate each other in the water, came together and held hands."
Sean Collins agrees. "There was so much energy in the water it was amazing."
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Marcus Sanders
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