Dane Kealoha, a pioneering surf star with a unique stance, passed away on Wednesday, his family revealed.
Family members said he passed away peacefully after beating cancer.
Among his many accomplishments, Kealoha was best known for developing the “pig-dog’ style in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, a distinctive surfing style which became his signature stance.
This technique allowed him to ride deep inside the tube of the wave while maintaining balance and stability.
Kealoha learned to surf on the famous beaches of Waikiki, where he showed off his natural skill. He even secured surfing titles at the young age of 15.
During the peak of his surfing career in 1983, Kealoha embarked on a global surfing tour. That year, he triumphed at the Duke, claiming first-place after already securing the championship trophy at the Pipeline Masters earlier in the same month.
Kealoha also had a significant partnership with Quicksilver, where he managed a store in Ward Village and opened two Roxy stores in Oahu and Maui. He also established a surf school at the Hyatt Regency in Waikiki.
"Dane is widely known as a legendary waterman, and his legacy and style of surfing continue to inspire many young and aspiring surfers," his family said. "Famous surfers like Sunny Garcia and Johnny Boy Gomez are just two examples."
He is survived by his mother, two brothers, four sons, three daughters and two grandchildren.
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