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Sean Collins Remembered

Surfers gather to pay tribute to Surfline founder

Surfers gather to pay tribute to Surfline founder, Sean Collins, in Huntington Beach. Photo: Yusa

Thousands gathered at Huntington Beach pier on Sunday to pay their respects to Sean Collins, founder of Surfline, who passed away on December 26th from a heart attack. Prior to the memorial paddle out, crowds gathered to hear Collins’ friends and family talk about the man that pioneered surf forecasting and made it available to everyday surfers. Among the speakers were Mike Parsons, Brad Gerlach and Taylor Knox who remembered Collins as a gifted man who used his passion to change surfing forever.

Back in 1999 we named Collins one of the 25 Most Influential Surfers of the Century and later ranked him as the eighth Most Powerful Surfer in the Surf Industry in the summer of 2002. The same is still true today.

Collins leaves behind his wife Daren, and his two sons Tyler and A.J.

Photo: Yusa

Sean’s son A.J. Collins. Photo: Yusa

Mike Parsons. Photo: Yusa

Taylor Knox gave an emotional speech prior to the paddle out. Photo: Yusa

Brad Gerlach remembering Collins under the Huntington Beach pier. Photo: Yusa

Thousands gathered on the pier and in the water for the paddle out ceremony. Photo: Yusa

Sean’s sons Tyler and A.J. celebrate their father’s life. Photo: Yusa