Passages

RIP Marvin Foster

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 20 May, 2010 : - - North Shore, Oahu -- The surf world is in mourning. Hawaiian waterman Marvin Foster has died. Known for his style in big waves, he was a bona fide star in the 80's, blessed with talent but also tormented by personal troubles. The 49-year-old was found dead by his brother in Haleiwa yesterday.

The medical examiner says his death was not an accident, but did not involve foul play. Marvin Foster made his explosive debut in the 80's riding high from a reputation for attacking monster swells. "He was a great pipeline rider, one of the best surfers here on the North Shore," said Randy Rarick, Executive Director of Vans Triple Crown of Surfing.

The steep waves helped Foster fine-tune his 'pig-dog' technique for backside barrels. Even in his late 40's, 'Carvin Marvin' was still competing in big wave tow-in contests on Oahu's outer reefs. His longtime friend, Kerry Terukina, says he raised the bar on the North Shore.

"When surfing came out, professional surfing came out, Marvin was the dominant force out at Haleiwa in particular. He paved the way for younger surfers to break into the professional surfing arena," said Terukina.

Marvin Foster : photo Peter Joli

Foster was well respected. but he was also troubled. Those who knew him say he had a long battle with drugs. In 1993, Foster spent 18 months in prison for weapons charges and later landed on Hawaii's Top Ten Most Wanted list.

"We've lost one of our great Hawaiian surfers," said Rarick

Read the full article at Hawaiian News Now

Peter Joli remembers Marvin Foster

It's been reported that Hawaiian surfer Marvin Foster has died on the North Shore of Hawaii. I first met Marvin in the early 80's on the North Shore and traveled with him on a surf trip through Indonesia with Richard Cram and Chappy Jennings. I have lots of good memories of this talented goofy footer. He had a tough reputation, sometimes justified and others times it was by virtue of gossip and innuendo.

He surfed backdoor and Pipe with style and was one of the first surfers to practice the 'lay forward tube stance' which allowed him to ride nearly as deep in the tube backside as he did front-side. Foster turned pro in 1980 earning himself the ASP World Tour Rookie of the Year award in his first year on tour.

www.joliphotos.com

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Source: Hawaiian News Now / Peter Joli Wilson

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