A Life Worth Living

MIKE HYNSON, ACHIEVING A DREAM

Mike Hynson did not let life pass him by. Over decades, every project he tackled he did with style, passion, and an infectious laugh.

The pioneer surfer and co-star of the classic surf flick, The Endless Summer, passed away on Friday, January 10, 2025, leaving behind a surf culture he created just by being himself—a unique and curious individual with flair who never shied away from dreaming big. Much has already been written about his passing, but the best gauge of the impression he made on the world of surfing were the thousands of posts pouring in on social media praising him for his contributions and how he affected their lives.

Mike Hynson

I began helping Hynson write his autobiography in 2003 and got the coveted job because I was the only one who could read his chicken-scratched handwritten journals. Over the course of six years, one of the most interesting things I learned about him is that he didn’t learn how to surf until he was seventeen years old. The Navy brat moved back and forth between the Mainland and Schofield Base on Oahu every two years with his family but had never been exposed to surfing. He found other things to be curious about, like infiltrating the locals’ territory behind the military base. The only one of his friends to get caught, he was tied naked to a mango tree.

Mike at Five – Photo: Hynson/ Merryweather Private Collection

When it was time to leave Oahu for good in 1952, he was crushed that his mother forbade him to bring his four grocery bags of Haleakala Dairy pogs with them on the ship to San Diego. So, as a goodbye to his friends, he climbed on top of the roof of the nearest carport and pulled two handfuls out of the bags at a time, spraying his delighted friends below.

Robert, Mike, and Bruce at LAX, 1963, leaving for the Endless Summer – Photo: Bruce Brown Collection

Seven years later the seed of future legendary status was planted when the teenager rode his first wave at Crystal Pier. There was no stopping him after that. Establishing a reputation as a soul surfer instead of competing in surf contests, poking his nose into various camps up and down the coast to learn how to improve the shape of a surfboard. According to many, his was the first down rail board, but the Red Fin has always been a fan favorite. For decades, his curiosity about the sport never wavered. He continually wanted to know more.

Mike at the Rainbow Juice Bar – Photo: Hynson/Merryweather Private Collection

One of Hynson’s biggest achievements didn’t start out as a dream. It just kind of fell into his lap when he met film director, Chuck Wein, in Guadalajara. Spending days together, they came up with the idea of making a movie about surfing, with him insisting that Jimi Hendrix write the score. The only problem was that he didn’t know the rock star.

Mike & Brother Richie with Golf Trophies – Photo: Hynson/Merryweather Private Collection

That didn’t stop Hynson. He went to two Hendrix concerts in San Diego and tried to connect, but no luck. He flew to Oahu & learned Hendrix was playing a couple of concerts in Waikiki. He tried again without success.

Visiting friends on Maui, he and his girlfriend, Melinda Merryweather, drove to Honolua Bay. Just as Hynson took off in the curl of a wave, none other than Michael Jeffery, Hendrix’s manager, walked out on the cliff above. Merryweather ran over to him and filled him in on the film they would eventually produce, Rainbow Bridge.

Robert, Mike, and Bruce at Salt Creek Beach posing for the Endless Summer Poster – Photo: Bob Bagley/Bruce Brown Collection

Persistence and realizing that achieving a dream is not impossible were two of Hynson’s attributes. A life worth living.

His passing came as a shock to friends and family. It was so fast and hard to believe. It was surreal. I prefer to say my goodbyes by imagining him standing on the roof of his garage in Encinitas, California, spraying all who loved him with his four grocery bags of pogs. Rest in peace, Michael. You will be missed.