On the Road with Jimmy Lewis :Standup Journal | Page 5

Sparky Hudson. He invited us to his home/longboard museum where I learned a lot about him—and about Jimmy. Tom was one of the first nay-sayers of the standup paddling “fad.” He was a die-hard surfer who told the editor of this very Standup Journal at its launch party a few years ago that he didn’t see the sport catching on. But, like many longboarders before him, Tom experienced his “Come to Jesus Moment” with a paddle when he borrowed a friend’s sup one day. It just so happened to be a 10’ Jimmy Lewis Hanalei. Tom was hooked. Despite trying several other well-known boards, Tom wanted a Jimmy Lewis. Wondering how he could get a board, he reached out to his friend Sparky Hudson, who knew Jimmy in Hawaii. Within 30 minutes, Jimmy Lewis

overseas email scams, although his replies would make a sailor blush. My first email to Jimmy was around ten years ago when I was doing a 60-mile kiteboard race. I was looking for advice on the best fin and deck pad to pair with my Jimmy Lewis board for the long run. Jimmy answered within the day, writing, “Thanks for riding my board”—and he sent me a fin and pad at no charge. Now he sends me emails nearly every day. JL and Jimmy Terrell: Brothers from Another Mother But I digress…One of our tour stops was in Costa Mesa, in Southern Cal. We went to visit Jimmy’s brother from another mother, Jim Terrell, founder of QuickBlade Paddles. These two met on the beach in California with

LAURIE CRAIG (Above) Tom Craig with the Jedi Master himself, Jimmy Lewis, at Morro Rock. VALERIE RICHTER (Above right) Jimmy is most at home with his planer and his foam.

called Tom to ask what color he wanted. Turns out Jimmy was also a fan of Tom’s and had followed his surfing family history—including Tom’s brother, Doug, who owns Old Guys Rule and used to ride for Jacobs. The friendship was kindled instantly, and Tom hasn’t ridden anything else since. We enjoyed that stop most of all, sharing waves and barbecue and new friendships at the Rarig Boathouse in Cayucos. JL’s Old School Approach to Fan Mail As we rolled into each hotel late at night, I would head to my room, but Jimmy would always head to the lobby to check email. He has a very old school correspondence ethic; he won’t sleep until he’s answered every email,