Mark Cunningham on Pipeline, Bodysurfing, and His Heaviest Experiences As a North Shore Lifeguard
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- Опубликовано: 8 сен 2024
- Mark Cunningham, aka "The Human Fish," is hailed as one of the greatest bodysurfers of all time. He grew up in Hawaii, became a lifeguard in the mid-’70s, and for nearly 30 years guarded primarily at Ehukai Beach Park, with a view straight into Pipeline’s barrel. Through the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s, Cunningham won nearly every bodysurfing event he entered. But, as Cunningham would be the first to tell you, bodysurfing is not about winning or losing.
Cunningham retired from lifeguarding in 2005, at age 49. In recent years, he’s become an obsessive reefcomber, finding fins, sunglasses, watches, and other valuables on the ocean floor. He’s also become a visual artist, using his findings in sculptures and assemblages.
In this episode of Soundings, Cunningham talks with Jamie Brisick about the multifarious duties of a lifeguard, scanning the impact zone, brushes with fate at Backdoor, playing in the shorebreak, the joys of retirement, Puerto Escondido, and the virtue of leading a simple life.
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Produced by Jonathan Shifflett.
Music by PazKa (Aska Matsumiya & Paz Lenchantin).
Feature image by Todd Glaser.
really scored on this one: what a totally classic interview, one for the books and the ages, the spirit and history of surfing so utterly well put by a true veteran. Even a midwesterner far from any ocean would appreciate and understand Cunningham's expression of the magic, grit and fervor at the heart of surfing. So glad i added some Churchills and a homemade 8"x 18" pine handboard to my quiver. such a gas( tip: skip the strap and go with a cutout for your grip.. easier to switch hands and less chance of getting a twisted arm)
Wow… a blast from the past. What a time to be alive.
Bodysurfing is cool because while you are waiting for the waves you are IN the water and the wave energy is going through you, healing and restoring you. Sitting on top of a surfboard you are not quite as in contact with the wave energy that is moving in the ocean. I am not talking about wave riding. The majority of our time in the ocean is wave waiting. Aloha
Mark Cunningham is a Living Legend and one of the greatest watermen to ever do it #Bodysurfing #GOAT
Just got out of the water,as a surfer i just started bodyboarding more.i got a full body workout.and a nice overhead barrel 😅on my bodyboard, in ventura.😂Mark is a legend.thanks Jamie
I lived in the country and worked in the surfboard industry from 1977~87 knew Mark.You did a great job and brought back many memories mahalo
Frosty! Fritz misses you madly. Mark you never need to justify yourself, you are a legend and an inspiration of which Punahou is so proud.
I met Mark on Tavarua in ‘92 when I was lucky enough to be a Boatman there. He’d come with the Hawai’i Life Guards to give the staff a specialized First Aid and LG training. It was a great week and Mark was a Fun Guy to hang with. We did have some fun medium sized surf while they were there, BUT Mark insisted on doing his “Stand Up Act” and Board Surfed only. Needless to say I was disappointed. I finally caught him in the Act a coupla years later at Pipe whilst staying with Rick Williams.
Excellent audio, riveting. Thank you for documenting your experience Mark. Great story.🌊🌊🌊
Why not just add video to this?