Dusty Peak R.I.P.

Yesterday I loaded up the family and headed to the beach for Dusty Peak’s paddle out.  I was so looking forward to going to the beach and getting out of the heat and smoke from the fires. When we got down to Little Dume the place was like a big party.  There were people everywhere laughing; kids were playing and friends were surfing. It was a great atmosphere.  I didn’t know Dusty, but am friends with his son Skylar. They had his funeral service the day before and I heard hundreds of people showed up.  Dusty was obviously well liked in his community.

At 6:30 everyone hit the water and started to circle up.  I went to the top of the cliff for the overhead shot.  The only other circle I had ever seen was the one they do at Waimea for Eddie during the Eddie Aikau opening ceremony.  I have to say this one was better. Why?  The crowd was so alive.  As the circle completed and a small set rolled under everyone a low chant started.  dus-ty, dus-ty, dus-ty.  Then it got louder until a roar echoed up in the cove DUS-TY, DUS-TY, DUS-TY!  I got chills.  Then lays were thrown and everyone splashed the water.  The whole time I am thinking to myself, “Man, if I ever go, this is the way to do it.”  Afterwards, Everyone just hung out on the beach and talked story or surfed the little peelers like Dusty would have.  I warmed up by the bon fire as the sun set with my family.  It was a great day at the beach.

This entry was posted on Monday, August 31st, 2009 at 12:02 am. It is filed under California. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.