Born:  August 17, 1964 went home to our Lord – November 11, 2009

Gary Edgar was a local Newport Beach surfer in the 80s and 90s. He was known for his colorful boards, wet suits, and crazy moves. His nickname was Shredgar because he was often found shredding it up at River Jetties.

Gary surfed professionally from 1984 until 1995, surfing in the infamous OP Pro in Huntington Beach in 1984. Gary was one of 10 Orange County surfers to surf at the OP Pro. Shortly after the OP Pro, he was sponsored by Oneil Wetsuits and Zinka.  In 1988, he climbed the US Surf Rankings and was ranked in the top tiers with surfers like Ritchie Collins and at that time 14 year old, Rob Machado.  QuickSilver then became Gary’s sponsor and he surfed on their team until he switched over to Billabong. After he stopped surfing competitively, he still maintained local sponsorship from Hurley.

 

Gary’s love for surfing brought him to make surfboards. He opened his own surfboard manufacturing company called the Glass Shop which later became Clearwater Glassing Inc  Several well known shapers had shaping rooms at his shop and often custom surfboards for some of the top professionals  were made at Clearwater.  Gary was extremely picking about the boards, he personally glassed and sanded most of them and inspected every single one to ensure perfection.

Later on, Gary married his wife Kerry and had children- Nicholas (stepson), Matthew and Liana.  After having children, he decided to stop making boards because of the health risk and he also wanted to move into something more lucrative. He became a loan officer at the perfect time in 2001 and rapidly became very successful.  In 2001, he also surfed the Rob Machado Surf Classic in Carlsbad placing 5th overall.  Gary continued to surf recreationally at least twice a week and often would be at the beach teaching our children and other kids at the beach to surf.

In May 2009, we learned that Gary had lung cancer which had already spread to his brain and bones. This cancer most likely came for all the years he glassed and sanded surfboards as Gary never smoked.  While he was undergoing whole brain radiation treatments, Gary still managed to get in a few surf sessions. After his 15th and last treatment, he surfed and also managed to save a 9 year old boy from drowning.  Gary loved surfing, the children, and loved the water. He always felt the water would heal him. And so often it did. If he had a cold, he would surf and the cold would go away. If he had the stomach flu he would surf to forget about it and sure enough it would also go away. Surfing does heal – sometimes physically but always emotionally.

Gary passed away from complications due to lung cancer on November 11, 2009. An enormous paddle out was held in his honor and it was a beautiful day.  His love for surfing and his love for children have made being a part of Mauli Ola foundation a blessing for those who Gary has left behind. His wife and children want to continue his legacy.