Hot curl la jolla

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Hot Curl was the creation of long time Ocean Beach resident Mike Dormer and Lee Teacher, two young surfers, who, Mike says, "just did it for a lark...it was a lot of fun". Surfers did a lot of that in 1963.

The surfing counter culture icon was, without a doubt, "Hot Curl". He was the symbol of anti-establishment for the tanned Southern California surf culture. He was cool. Hot Curl had his priorities in correct order..surf, sand, sun, and beer. In 1963, Mike Dormer and Lee Teacher built the six foot, 400 pound concrete statue out of cement, iron, a mop, a light bulb, and a beer can. The statue mysteriously appeared on the rocks over Windnsea beach in La Jolla, holding a beer in one hand while gazing out over the ocean in search of the perfect wave.

This concrete surf god got attention in newspapers across the country. In 1964 Hot Curl became a star. Hot Curl was the inspiration Hollywood was looking for when it filled the screens at movie houses with a string of "Beach Party" movies. In the summer of 1964, the Hot Curl image appeared in several scenes of "Muscle Beach Party" starring Frankie Avalon, Annette Funicello, Buddy Hackett, and Don Rickles. Dozens of young surfers got signed as well.

Hot Curl was a comic relief to the problems of society. Hot Curl was a free soul. He loved the ocean. He was designed to de-intensify things a little. Hot Curl is a reminder of simpler times.