Dewey Weber
Encyclopedia
David Earl Weber, known as Dewey Weber, was an American surfer.
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, he stood out for his unique surfing style. Out of the water, he became a national yo-yo
champion, a CIF wrestling
champion, appeared in several feature films, and started a successful surfboard manufacturing company.
cracker factory. At the age of 5, his family moved to Manhattan Beach
, California
. The local surf club included relatively well-known surfers such as Dale Velzy, Bob Hogan
, and Barney Biggs. Biggs was the first to notice Dewey and lent him a board when he was only 9.
When he was 8, his mother took him to an audition where he won a part as "Buster Brown
, a comic book character created by the Buster Brown Shoe Company. By the age of 14 he was also a three-time National Duncan Yo-Yo Champion, appearing on the national television show You Bet Your Life
, hosted by Groucho Marx
.
In high school, Weber's short, stocky frame (5'3", 130 pounds) was perfect for wrestling and he received a varsity letter in his freshman year. By the time he graduated he was a three-time CIF westling champion at Mira Costa High, graduating in 1956. He went on to become an All-State performer at El Camino College
and later qualified for the Olympic Wrestling team, but an injury just before the event kept him from competing.
. He worked as a lifeguard
at the Biltmore Hotel
, saving his money for his first trip to the islands. On his arrival he stayed in a two-room quonset
hut there with a number of friends.
In Hawaii, Weber perfected his surf style. His intricate footwork up and down the board, very different from the prevailing style, earned him the nickname, "The Little Man on Wheels". Weber's first visit to Hawaii is chronicled in Bud Browne
's 1957 release, The Big Surf. From the film, a classic shot of Dewey surfing Makaha later became the symbol of the United States Surfing Association. He went on to appear in nearly every surf movie of the late 1950s and 1960s, including Slippery When Wet (1958), Cat on a Hot Foam Board (1959), and Walk on the Wet Side (1963).
It was then that Weber had the ingenious idea to dress the team in the class red Weber trunks and jackets, which they wore to the events. With the success of his team, Weber became one of the top producers of the time, second only to Hobie. Between 1966 and 1967, the Weber Performer sold roughly 10,000 units and was distributed all over the country. Later he opened stores in Hermosa Beach, San Diego, and Honolulu.
With the fall in popularity of the long board, eventually the business shrank to a single shop. Weber continued to make and sell boards and was best known for his longboard designs though he produced some excellent short boards as well. Continuing his love with the ocean, he built a two-man swordfishing boat and spent much of his time at sea. He died on January 7, 1993 of heart failure and his death was widely reported on television and in the press. The business was then revitalized by widow Caroline Weber and sons Shea and Corey Weber, who continue to operate in San Clemente, California
.
David Earl Weber, (born August 18, 1938 in Denver, Colorado
, died January 7, 1993), known as Dewey Weber, was an American surfer.
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, he stood out for his unique surfing style. Out of the water, he became a national yo-yo
champion, a CIF wrestling
champion, appeared in several feature films, and started a successful surfboard manufacturing company.
cracker factory. At the age of 5, his family moved to Manhattan Beach
, California
. The local surf club included relatively well-known surfers such as Dale Velzy, Bob Hogan
, and Barney Biggs. Biggs was the first to notice Dewey and lent him a board when he was only 9.
When he was 8, his mother took him to an audition where he won a part as "Buster Brown
, a comic book character created by the Buster Brown Shoe Company. By the age of 14 he was also a three-time National Duncan Yo-Yo Champion, appearing on the national television show You Bet Your Life
, hosted by Groucho Marx
.
In high school, Weber's short, stocky frame (5'3", 130 pounds) was perfect for wrestling and he received a varsity letter in his freshman year. By the time he graduated he was a three-time CIF westling champion at Mira Costa High, graduating in 1956. He went on to become an All-State performer at El Camino College
and later qualified for the Olympic Wrestling team, but an injury just before the event kept him from competing.
. He worked as a lifeguard
at the Biltmore Hotel
, saving his money for his first trip to the islands. On his arrival he stayed in a two-room quonset
hut there with a number of friends.
In Hawaii, Weber perfected his surf style. His intricate footwork up and down the board, very different from the prevailing style, earned him the nickname, "The Little Man on Wheels". Weber's first visit to Hawaii is chronicled in Bud Browne
's 1957 release, The Big Surf. From the film, a classic shot of Dewey surfing Makaha later became the symbol of the United States Surfing Association. He went on to appear in nearly every surf movie of the late 1950s and 1960s, including Slippery When Wet (1958), Cat on a Hot Foam Board (1959), and Walk on the Wet Side (1963).
It was then that Weber had the ingenious idea to dress the team in the class red Weber trunks and jackets, which they wore to the events. With the success of his team, Weber became one of the top producers of the time, second only to Hobie. Between 1966 and 1967, the Weber Performer sold roughly 10,000 units and was distributed all over the country. Later he opened stores in Hermosa Beach, San Diego, and Honolulu.
With the fall in popularity of the long board, eventually the business shrank to a single shop. Weber continued to make and sell boards and was best known for his longboard designs though he produced some excellent short boards as well. Continuing his love with the ocean, he built a two-man swordfishing boat and spent much of his time at sea. He died on January 7, 1993 of heart failure and his death was widely reported on television and in the press. The business was then revitalized by widow Caroline Weber and sons Shea and Corey Weber, who continue to operate in San Clemente, California
.
David Earl Weber, (born August 18, 1938 in Denver, Colorado
, died January 7, 1993), known as Dewey Weber, was an American surfer.
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, he stood out for his unique surfing style. Out of the water, he became a national yo-yo
champion, a CIF wrestling
champion, appeared in several feature films, and started a successful surfboard manufacturing company.
cracker factory. At the age of 5, his family moved to Manhattan Beach
, California
. The local surf club included relatively well-known surfers such as Dale Velzy, Bob Hogan
, and Barney Biggs. Biggs was the first to notice Dewey and lent him a board when he was only 9.
When he was 8, his mother took him to an audition where he won a part as "Buster Brown
, a comic book character created by the Buster Brown Shoe Company. By the age of 14 he was also a three-time National Duncan Yo-Yo Champion, appearing on the national television show You Bet Your Life
, hosted by Groucho Marx
.
In high school, Weber's short, stocky frame (5'3", 130 pounds) was perfect for wrestling and he received a varsity letter in his freshman year. By the time he graduated he was a three-time CIF westling champion at Mira Costa High, graduating in 1956. He went on to become an All-State performer at El Camino College
and later qualified for the Olympic Wrestling team, but an injury just before the event kept him from competing.
. He worked as a lifeguard
at the Biltmore Hotel
, saving his money for his first trip to the islands. On his arrival he stayed in a two-room quonset
hut there with a number of friends.
In Hawaii, Weber perfected his surf style. His intricate footwork up and down the board, very different from the prevailing style, earned him the nickname, "The Little Man on Wheels". Weber's first visit to Hawaii is chronicled in Bud Browne
's 1957 release, The Big Surf. From the film, a classic shot of Dewey surfing Makaha later became the symbol of the United States Surfing Association. He went on to appear in nearly every surf movie of the late 1950s and 1960s, including Slippery When Wet (1958), Cat on a Hot Foam Board (1959), and Walk on the Wet Side (1963).
It was then that Weber had the ingenious idea to dress the team in the class red Weber trunks and jackets, which they wore to the events. With the success of his team, Weber became one of the top producers of the time, second only to Hobie. Between 1966 and 1967, the Weber Performer sold roughly 10,000 units and was distributed all over the country. Later he opened stores in Hermosa Beach, San Diego, and Honolulu.
With the fall in popularity of the long board, eventually the business shrank to a single shop. Weber continued to make and sell boards and was best known for his longboard designs though he produced some excellent short boards as well. Continuing his love with the ocean, he built a two-man swordfishing boat and spent much of his time at sea. He died on January 7, 1993 of heart failure and his death was widely reported on television and in the press. The business was then revitalized by widow Caroline Weber and sons Shea and Corey Weber, who continue to operate in San Clemente, California
.
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, he stood out for his unique surfing style. Out of the water, he became a national yo-yo
Yo-yo
The yo-yo in its simplest form is an object consisting of an axle connected to two disks, and a length of twine looped around the axle, similar to a slender spool...
champion, a CIF wrestling
Wrestling
Wrestling is a form of grappling type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. A wrestling bout is a physical competition, between two competitors or sparring partners, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position...
champion, appeared in several feature films, and started a successful surfboard manufacturing company.
Early years
The only child of a German working class family, Dewey was exposed to water at an early age through his babysitter who was a lifeguard at a nearby pool. His father, Earl, was a truck driver and his mother, Gladys, worked at Denver's NabiscoNabisco
Nabisco is an American brand of cookies and snacks. Headquartered in East Hanover, New Jersey, the company is a subsidiary of Illinois-based Kraft Foods. Nabisco's plant in Chicago, a production facility at 7300 S...
cracker factory. At the age of 5, his family moved to Manhattan Beach
Manhattan Beach
Manhattan Beach may refer to:PlacesIn the United States:* Manhattan Beach, California* Manhattan Beach, Minnesota* Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn, New York...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. The local surf club included relatively well-known surfers such as Dale Velzy, Bob Hogan
Bob Hogan
Bob Hogan is a fictional character in the British television series Spooks. Bob is a high ranking CIA agent in Britain working from Grosvenor House, the US embassy. Hogan is an ally or enemy of the team at times, however he normally will work with his counterpart Harry Pearce. Hogan was introduced...
, and Barney Biggs. Biggs was the first to notice Dewey and lent him a board when he was only 9.
When he was 8, his mother took him to an audition where he won a part as "Buster Brown
Buster Brown
Buster Brown was a comic strip character created in 1902 by Richard Felton Outcault who was known for his association with the Brown Shoe Company. This mischievous young boy was loosely based on a boy near Outcault's home in Flushing, New York...
, a comic book character created by the Buster Brown Shoe Company. By the age of 14 he was also a three-time National Duncan Yo-Yo Champion, appearing on the national television show You Bet Your Life
You Bet Your Life
You Bet Your Life is an American quiz show that aired on both radio and television. The original and best-known version was hosted by Groucho Marx of the Marx Brothers, with announcer and assistant George Fenneman. The show debuted on ABC Radio in October 1947, then moved to CBS Radio in September...
, hosted by Groucho Marx
Groucho Marx
Julius Henry "Groucho" Marx was an American comedian and film star famed as a master of wit. His rapid-fire delivery of innuendo-laden patter earned him many admirers. He made 13 feature films with his siblings the Marx Brothers, of whom he was the third-born...
.
In high school, Weber's short, stocky frame (5'3", 130 pounds) was perfect for wrestling and he received a varsity letter in his freshman year. By the time he graduated he was a three-time CIF westling champion at Mira Costa High, graduating in 1956. He went on to become an All-State performer at El Camino College
El Camino College
El Camino College is a two-year public community college located partially in the unincorporated area of Alondra Park and partially in the City of Torrance in Los Angeles County, California, United States. It is commonly referred to as "Elco" or "ECC"...
and later qualified for the Olympic Wrestling team, but an injury just before the event kept him from competing.
Surfing
Weber had been fortunate to catch the eye of one of the best-known surfers and board makers of the day, Dale Velzy. Velzy was one of the first to advertise his own products and simultaneously sponsor surfers by providing them surfboards. During this time, Weber travelled up and down the California coast seeking out surf spots, but his primary goal was to get to HawaiiHawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
. He worked as a lifeguard
Lifeguard
A lifeguard supervises the safety and rescue of swimmers, surfers, and other water sports participants such as in a swimming pool, water park, or beach. Lifeguards are strong swimmers and trained in first aid, certified in water rescue using a variety of aids and equipment depending on...
at the Biltmore Hotel
Biltmore Hotel
Bowman-Biltmore Hotels was a chain created by hotel magnate John McEntee Bowman.The name evokes the Vanderbilt family's Biltmore Estate, whose buildings and gardens within are privately owned historical landmarks and tourist attractions in Asheville, North Carolina, United States. The name has...
, saving his money for his first trip to the islands. On his arrival he stayed in a two-room quonset
Quonset
Quonset may refer to:*Quonset Point, a peninsula North Kingstown, Rhode Island**Naval Air Station Quonset Point**Quonset State Airport*Quonset hut, a military structure* Quonset Hut Studio, an early recording studio in Nashville, Tennessee...
hut there with a number of friends.
In Hawaii, Weber perfected his surf style. His intricate footwork up and down the board, very different from the prevailing style, earned him the nickname, "The Little Man on Wheels". Weber's first visit to Hawaii is chronicled in Bud Browne
Bud Browne
Bud "Barracuda" Browne, was an early pioneer surf film maker. He was the first filmmaker to show surf movies commercially...
's 1957 release, The Big Surf. From the film, a classic shot of Dewey surfing Makaha later became the symbol of the United States Surfing Association. He went on to appear in nearly every surf movie of the late 1950s and 1960s, including Slippery When Wet (1958), Cat on a Hot Foam Board (1959), and Walk on the Wet Side (1963).
Business activities
In 1960, having returned from Hawaii, he founded Weber Surfboards. He opened his first shop in Venice Beach, California and soon began producing boards with memorable names, such as the "Weber Performer" and the "Weber Pig". He hired top shaper, Harold Iggy, and assembled a surf team to promote the brand.It was then that Weber had the ingenious idea to dress the team in the class red Weber trunks and jackets, which they wore to the events. With the success of his team, Weber became one of the top producers of the time, second only to Hobie. Between 1966 and 1967, the Weber Performer sold roughly 10,000 units and was distributed all over the country. Later he opened stores in Hermosa Beach, San Diego, and Honolulu.
With the fall in popularity of the long board, eventually the business shrank to a single shop. Weber continued to make and sell boards and was best known for his longboard designs though he produced some excellent short boards as well. Continuing his love with the ocean, he built a two-man swordfishing boat and spent much of his time at sea. He died on January 7, 1993 of heart failure and his death was widely reported on television and in the press. The business was then revitalized by widow Caroline Weber and sons Shea and Corey Weber, who continue to operate in San Clemente, California
San Clemente, California
San Clemente is a city in Orange County, California. The population was 63,522 at the 2010 census. Located on the California Coast, midway between Los Angeles and San Diego at the southern tip of the county, it is known for its ocean, hill, and mountain views, a pleasant climate and its Spanish...
.
External links
David Earl Weber, (born August 18, 1938 in Denver, Colorado
Denver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
, died January 7, 1993), known as Dewey Weber, was an American surfer.
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, he stood out for his unique surfing style. Out of the water, he became a national yo-yo
Yo-yo
The yo-yo in its simplest form is an object consisting of an axle connected to two disks, and a length of twine looped around the axle, similar to a slender spool...
champion, a CIF wrestling
Wrestling
Wrestling is a form of grappling type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. A wrestling bout is a physical competition, between two competitors or sparring partners, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position...
champion, appeared in several feature films, and started a successful surfboard manufacturing company.
Early years
The only child of a German working class family, Dewey was exposed to water at an early age through his babysitter who was a lifeguard at a nearby pool. His father, Earl, was a truck driver and his mother, Gladys, worked at Denver's NabiscoNabisco
Nabisco is an American brand of cookies and snacks. Headquartered in East Hanover, New Jersey, the company is a subsidiary of Illinois-based Kraft Foods. Nabisco's plant in Chicago, a production facility at 7300 S...
cracker factory. At the age of 5, his family moved to Manhattan Beach
Manhattan Beach
Manhattan Beach may refer to:PlacesIn the United States:* Manhattan Beach, California* Manhattan Beach, Minnesota* Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn, New York...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. The local surf club included relatively well-known surfers such as Dale Velzy, Bob Hogan
Bob Hogan
Bob Hogan is a fictional character in the British television series Spooks. Bob is a high ranking CIA agent in Britain working from Grosvenor House, the US embassy. Hogan is an ally or enemy of the team at times, however he normally will work with his counterpart Harry Pearce. Hogan was introduced...
, and Barney Biggs. Biggs was the first to notice Dewey and lent him a board when he was only 9.
When he was 8, his mother took him to an audition where he won a part as "Buster Brown
Buster Brown
Buster Brown was a comic strip character created in 1902 by Richard Felton Outcault who was known for his association with the Brown Shoe Company. This mischievous young boy was loosely based on a boy near Outcault's home in Flushing, New York...
, a comic book character created by the Buster Brown Shoe Company. By the age of 14 he was also a three-time National Duncan Yo-Yo Champion, appearing on the national television show You Bet Your Life
You Bet Your Life
You Bet Your Life is an American quiz show that aired on both radio and television. The original and best-known version was hosted by Groucho Marx of the Marx Brothers, with announcer and assistant George Fenneman. The show debuted on ABC Radio in October 1947, then moved to CBS Radio in September...
, hosted by Groucho Marx
Groucho Marx
Julius Henry "Groucho" Marx was an American comedian and film star famed as a master of wit. His rapid-fire delivery of innuendo-laden patter earned him many admirers. He made 13 feature films with his siblings the Marx Brothers, of whom he was the third-born...
.
In high school, Weber's short, stocky frame (5'3", 130 pounds) was perfect for wrestling and he received a varsity letter in his freshman year. By the time he graduated he was a three-time CIF westling champion at Mira Costa High, graduating in 1956. He went on to become an All-State performer at El Camino College
El Camino College
El Camino College is a two-year public community college located partially in the unincorporated area of Alondra Park and partially in the City of Torrance in Los Angeles County, California, United States. It is commonly referred to as "Elco" or "ECC"...
and later qualified for the Olympic Wrestling team, but an injury just before the event kept him from competing.
Surfing
Weber had been fortunate to catch the eye of one of the best-known surfers and board makers of the day, Dale Velzy. Velzy was one of the first to advertise his own products and simultaneously sponsor surfers by providing them surfboards. During this time, Weber travelled up and down the California coast seeking out surf spots, but his primary goal was to get to HawaiiHawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
. He worked as a lifeguard
Lifeguard
A lifeguard supervises the safety and rescue of swimmers, surfers, and other water sports participants such as in a swimming pool, water park, or beach. Lifeguards are strong swimmers and trained in first aid, certified in water rescue using a variety of aids and equipment depending on...
at the Biltmore Hotel
Biltmore Hotel
Bowman-Biltmore Hotels was a chain created by hotel magnate John McEntee Bowman.The name evokes the Vanderbilt family's Biltmore Estate, whose buildings and gardens within are privately owned historical landmarks and tourist attractions in Asheville, North Carolina, United States. The name has...
, saving his money for his first trip to the islands. On his arrival he stayed in a two-room quonset
Quonset
Quonset may refer to:*Quonset Point, a peninsula North Kingstown, Rhode Island**Naval Air Station Quonset Point**Quonset State Airport*Quonset hut, a military structure* Quonset Hut Studio, an early recording studio in Nashville, Tennessee...
hut there with a number of friends.
In Hawaii, Weber perfected his surf style. His intricate footwork up and down the board, very different from the prevailing style, earned him the nickname, "The Little Man on Wheels". Weber's first visit to Hawaii is chronicled in Bud Browne
Bud Browne
Bud "Barracuda" Browne, was an early pioneer surf film maker. He was the first filmmaker to show surf movies commercially...
's 1957 release, The Big Surf. From the film, a classic shot of Dewey surfing Makaha later became the symbol of the United States Surfing Association. He went on to appear in nearly every surf movie of the late 1950s and 1960s, including Slippery When Wet (1958), Cat on a Hot Foam Board (1959), and Walk on the Wet Side (1963).
Business activities
In 1960, having returned from Hawaii, he founded Weber Surfboards. He opened his first shop in Venice Beach, California and soon began producing boards with memorable names, such as the "Weber Performer" and the "Weber Pig". He hired top shaper, Harold Iggy, and assembled a surf team to promote the brand.It was then that Weber had the ingenious idea to dress the team in the class red Weber trunks and jackets, which they wore to the events. With the success of his team, Weber became one of the top producers of the time, second only to Hobie. Between 1966 and 1967, the Weber Performer sold roughly 10,000 units and was distributed all over the country. Later he opened stores in Hermosa Beach, San Diego, and Honolulu.
With the fall in popularity of the long board, eventually the business shrank to a single shop. Weber continued to make and sell boards and was best known for his longboard designs though he produced some excellent short boards as well. Continuing his love with the ocean, he built a two-man swordfishing boat and spent much of his time at sea. He died on January 7, 1993 of heart failure and his death was widely reported on television and in the press. The business was then revitalized by widow Caroline Weber and sons Shea and Corey Weber, who continue to operate in San Clemente, California
San Clemente, California
San Clemente is a city in Orange County, California. The population was 63,522 at the 2010 census. Located on the California Coast, midway between Los Angeles and San Diego at the southern tip of the county, it is known for its ocean, hill, and mountain views, a pleasant climate and its Spanish...
.
External links
David Earl Weber, (born August 18, 1938 in Denver, Colorado
Denver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
, died January 7, 1993), known as Dewey Weber, was an American surfer.
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, he stood out for his unique surfing style. Out of the water, he became a national yo-yo
Yo-yo
The yo-yo in its simplest form is an object consisting of an axle connected to two disks, and a length of twine looped around the axle, similar to a slender spool...
champion, a CIF wrestling
Wrestling
Wrestling is a form of grappling type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. A wrestling bout is a physical competition, between two competitors or sparring partners, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position...
champion, appeared in several feature films, and started a successful surfboard manufacturing company.
Early years
The only child of a German working class family, Dewey was exposed to water at an early age through his babysitter who was a lifeguard at a nearby pool. His father, Earl, was a truck driver and his mother, Gladys, worked at Denver's NabiscoNabisco
Nabisco is an American brand of cookies and snacks. Headquartered in East Hanover, New Jersey, the company is a subsidiary of Illinois-based Kraft Foods. Nabisco's plant in Chicago, a production facility at 7300 S...
cracker factory. At the age of 5, his family moved to Manhattan Beach
Manhattan Beach
Manhattan Beach may refer to:PlacesIn the United States:* Manhattan Beach, California* Manhattan Beach, Minnesota* Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn, New York...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. The local surf club included relatively well-known surfers such as Dale Velzy, Bob Hogan
Bob Hogan
Bob Hogan is a fictional character in the British television series Spooks. Bob is a high ranking CIA agent in Britain working from Grosvenor House, the US embassy. Hogan is an ally or enemy of the team at times, however he normally will work with his counterpart Harry Pearce. Hogan was introduced...
, and Barney Biggs. Biggs was the first to notice Dewey and lent him a board when he was only 9.
When he was 8, his mother took him to an audition where he won a part as "Buster Brown
Buster Brown
Buster Brown was a comic strip character created in 1902 by Richard Felton Outcault who was known for his association with the Brown Shoe Company. This mischievous young boy was loosely based on a boy near Outcault's home in Flushing, New York...
, a comic book character created by the Buster Brown Shoe Company. By the age of 14 he was also a three-time National Duncan Yo-Yo Champion, appearing on the national television show You Bet Your Life
You Bet Your Life
You Bet Your Life is an American quiz show that aired on both radio and television. The original and best-known version was hosted by Groucho Marx of the Marx Brothers, with announcer and assistant George Fenneman. The show debuted on ABC Radio in October 1947, then moved to CBS Radio in September...
, hosted by Groucho Marx
Groucho Marx
Julius Henry "Groucho" Marx was an American comedian and film star famed as a master of wit. His rapid-fire delivery of innuendo-laden patter earned him many admirers. He made 13 feature films with his siblings the Marx Brothers, of whom he was the third-born...
.
In high school, Weber's short, stocky frame (5'3", 130 pounds) was perfect for wrestling and he received a varsity letter in his freshman year. By the time he graduated he was a three-time CIF westling champion at Mira Costa High, graduating in 1956. He went on to become an All-State performer at El Camino College
El Camino College
El Camino College is a two-year public community college located partially in the unincorporated area of Alondra Park and partially in the City of Torrance in Los Angeles County, California, United States. It is commonly referred to as "Elco" or "ECC"...
and later qualified for the Olympic Wrestling team, but an injury just before the event kept him from competing.
Surfing
Weber had been fortunate to catch the eye of one of the best-known surfers and board makers of the day, Dale Velzy. Velzy was one of the first to advertise his own products and simultaneously sponsor surfers by providing them surfboards. During this time, Weber travelled up and down the California coast seeking out surf spots, but his primary goal was to get to HawaiiHawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
. He worked as a lifeguard
Lifeguard
A lifeguard supervises the safety and rescue of swimmers, surfers, and other water sports participants such as in a swimming pool, water park, or beach. Lifeguards are strong swimmers and trained in first aid, certified in water rescue using a variety of aids and equipment depending on...
at the Biltmore Hotel
Biltmore Hotel
Bowman-Biltmore Hotels was a chain created by hotel magnate John McEntee Bowman.The name evokes the Vanderbilt family's Biltmore Estate, whose buildings and gardens within are privately owned historical landmarks and tourist attractions in Asheville, North Carolina, United States. The name has...
, saving his money for his first trip to the islands. On his arrival he stayed in a two-room quonset
Quonset
Quonset may refer to:*Quonset Point, a peninsula North Kingstown, Rhode Island**Naval Air Station Quonset Point**Quonset State Airport*Quonset hut, a military structure* Quonset Hut Studio, an early recording studio in Nashville, Tennessee...
hut there with a number of friends.
In Hawaii, Weber perfected his surf style. His intricate footwork up and down the board, very different from the prevailing style, earned him the nickname, "The Little Man on Wheels". Weber's first visit to Hawaii is chronicled in Bud Browne
Bud Browne
Bud "Barracuda" Browne, was an early pioneer surf film maker. He was the first filmmaker to show surf movies commercially...
's 1957 release, The Big Surf. From the film, a classic shot of Dewey surfing Makaha later became the symbol of the United States Surfing Association. He went on to appear in nearly every surf movie of the late 1950s and 1960s, including Slippery When Wet (1958), Cat on a Hot Foam Board (1959), and Walk on the Wet Side (1963).
Business activities
In 1960, having returned from Hawaii, he founded Weber Surfboards. He opened his first shop in Venice Beach, California and soon began producing boards with memorable names, such as the "Weber Performer" and the "Weber Pig". He hired top shaper, Harold Iggy, and assembled a surf team to promote the brand.It was then that Weber had the ingenious idea to dress the team in the class red Weber trunks and jackets, which they wore to the events. With the success of his team, Weber became one of the top producers of the time, second only to Hobie. Between 1966 and 1967, the Weber Performer sold roughly 10,000 units and was distributed all over the country. Later he opened stores in Hermosa Beach, San Diego, and Honolulu.
With the fall in popularity of the long board, eventually the business shrank to a single shop. Weber continued to make and sell boards and was best known for his longboard designs though he produced some excellent short boards as well. Continuing his love with the ocean, he built a two-man swordfishing boat and spent much of his time at sea. He died on January 7, 1993 of heart failure and his death was widely reported on television and in the press. The business was then revitalized by widow Caroline Weber and sons Shea and Corey Weber, who continue to operate in San Clemente, California
San Clemente, California
San Clemente is a city in Orange County, California. The population was 63,522 at the 2010 census. Located on the California Coast, midway between Los Angeles and San Diego at the southern tip of the county, it is known for its ocean, hill, and mountain views, a pleasant climate and its Spanish...
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