In Honor of Midget Smith
Email from Chris Drummy:
Jeffrey “Midget” Smith, Legendary Shaper, ASP Judge, Local Surfing Icon, Father & Grandpa passed away on Saturday, August 23, 2008 at the young age of 56. Midget spent his last remaining days surrounded by his loving family, dogs and close friends in the comfort of his home in San Clemente. Midget’s 22 year battle with cancer has sadly come to an end. Midget touched the lives of many in & out of the water during his incredible life. The surfing world has lost a great role model.
For those of you who didn’t know Midget Smith he played a major part in the San Clemente progressive surfing movement. Midget was one of the heavy hitters that frequented the Pier back in the 70’s & 80’s. He had been shaping for over 30 years and for many of today’s top pros along the way: Andy Irons, Occy, Luke Egan, Martin Potter, Dane Kealoha, Ben Bourgeois, Shane Beschen, Danny Fuller, Jesse Merle Jones, Homer Henard, Jim Hogan, Kieran Horn, Omar Etch, Keoni Cuccia, Adam Virs, Aamion Goodwin, Chris and Pat Drummy, Maureen Drummy- Haggar, Sean Haggar, Travis Mellem & the late Jason Bogle are just a few of Midget’s list of pro custom shapes.
Mark Occhilupo’s win at the OP Indo Boat Challenge & Shane Beschen’s win at the WQS at Lowers were two defining moments that highlighted Midget’s love for shaping and surfing as they both rode to victory on Midget’s boards.
Midget has also served as head judge for the ASP North America, Bud Tour, ASP World Longboard Tour, X Games, and National Surf League.
Midget’s work as a judge is respected worldwide, and in his hometown of San Clemente he has long been revered as a surfing legend and mentor to many.
Midget grew up surfing Beach Road & San Clemente Pier in his early days. In his later years he enjoyed surfing out at Middles & Church.
With the San Clemente reefs and beaches as his training ground, the diminutive natural-footer quickly advanced and began a competitive career. And it was during these competitions that the “Midget” moniker came about. “When I was competing, there was another kid named Jeff Smith, so I started going by ‘Midget’,” Smith said.
At a time when modern surfing was in its infancy, Smith was privy to one of the most important eras within the sport: the shortboard revolution. The advent of Alby Falzon’s immortal Morning of the Earth film had surfers around the globe chopping their longboards down in favor of the smaller, more maneuverable shortboards, and overnight, board length shrank from 10 feet to five.
This uprising provided the perfect opportunity for Smith to delve into board making. The enterprising youngster’s first shaping experience involved going out to the backyard, stripping the fiberglass off of his longboard and whittling it down to the new standard—and this was just the beginning.
Upon graduating from San Clemente High School in 1969, Midget went to work at Hobie Surf Shop in Dana Point. It was there, under the tutelage of renowned board maker Terry Martin, that Smith developed his skills as a shaper. Following a brief stint with Natural Design Surfboards, Smith started the Midget Smith Surfboards label in 1972 and quickly cultivated a reputation for crafting some of the best boards in California.
In 1978, Midget Smith opened his own shop in San Clemente.
At the time, amidst the growing number of accolades Smith was collecting as a surfer and shaper, a third passion came along. “I was competing and I used to complain about the judging all the time,” Smith said. “Finally I went, ‘Why am I complaining?’ I didn’t even know what those guys were going through, so I figured I’d try it out. And I had a blast; I loved it.”
Since his first judging experience at 24 years old, Smith has judged for the Western Surfing Association (WSA), the International Surfing Association (ISA), the elite Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) and has served as head judge for the National Scholastic Surfing Association (NSSA).
The amount of love and support the community of San Clemente and the surf industry gave to Midget over the years has been overwhelming and touched both Midget and his family very deeply. Our family would like to express our sincerest gratitude to all who supported Midget throughout his battle.
Midget Smith’s love for his friends, family & the sport of surfing will be greatly missed by many but never forgotten.
Details on the location, date, & time for the celebration of his life will be determined over the next couple days. We look forward to celebrating Midget’s amazing life with all who attend.
Information will be posted on http://wsasurf.org/.
Some of the following words where contributed by the SPN & OCR interview.
I remember the day Jeff moved to San Clemente, I was born and raised in San Clemente; and back then you knew every new person on the turf. He was a good friend to me as a kid, same age, same size, we were both painfully small….we got along great. Had a few funny adventures together, schooled together, graduated together. When Jeff started gaining so much fame, we were all stoked for him, he was an original, in his deeds and in his thoughts. I lost touch over the years, but I always loved his boards….Did a mid-70’s stint in the islands on one of his Natural Designs. He was a friend of mine, I am honored to have been a friend of his. I will miss you Jeff, but your departure has made Heaven a better place for us to meet again. Goodbye and good waves; you are with extremely good company.
Peace Brother
Last Saturday, I was going to drop off this letter to Midget. Unfortunately, I missed my opportunity to share this with him. Midget, hired me on as a “Body Glove Pro Tour’” Judge (1985 to 1995) and mentored and cared for me like I was his Son.
Midget, I first met you 28 years ago, when I came into your San Clemente Surf Shop and bought my first surfboard (I still have it). Then again in 1985, when you as Head Judge let me on the panel for the 2nd event of the new Pro Tour. For over ten years, we took many risky travels to surf anything and everything. We Judged in the Snow, Endless downpours, Hurricanes, Heavy fog, Afternoon glare, Heavy winds, Lightning storms, Space Shuttle launches, 50+ Bull Sharks charging fish up on the beach, in a once in a lifetime, feeding frenzy, Mosquito and Bee swarms, we even survived when the wind toppled the Bud Tour Scaffolding at Makaha and sent us face first in the sand, followed by all the Ice Chests and Equipment. I’ll never forget the look on your face, followed by your command to grab the heat sheets to finish the heat in the water. Captain Smith at the helm.. GOOD TIMES!
In my opinion, you are the most successful Head Judge in ASP history. You are always Professional and calm under pressure.
Your commitment to pushing “progressive surfing” from three 5’s to the two 8’s, and 3 waves to 2 waves counted. You never used your position for personal gain.
Competitive Surfers Worldwide, can thank you, for your attention to the details on every wave scored, your incredible memory of each wave ridden, never missing a heat, many times he would go all day without a break. Big bladder, I guess?
Kelly even gives (Midget) the “Bud Tour” credit in his book, for rewarding progressive surfing, thus giving him the tools and confidence needed to take out the old dogs on the WCT.
About two weeks ago I bought a Hobie M80 shaped by Midget Smith.
I never knew him…but I had heard of Midget Smith. When I saw his signature on the bottom of my new board I remember thinking…I know of this shaper…
My first session on that board was just last week at 6:15 am. It was just getting light, but it was still a little clowdy out. The tide was mid to low and it was chest high glass. I remember thinking, “I hope this board is fun…It feels a bit heavy…”
I walked all the way out along the sand that builds along the Jetty and is exposed at low tide.
It’s a strange feeling when you get litteraly walk to the line up that is 90 yards off shore.
I paddled the few strokes into the line up.
I said, “hello” to the two other guys who were up as early as I was.
I ran my hand over the dark green and black resin swirl and felt the turn of the rail.
A set came and I turned on the second wave…three strokes and my magic carpet ride began.
I zipped past a dog beach section that was shutting everyone else down. I was slipping down the line with surprising and effortless speed. It gave me that feeling, ya know? The one that creates the addiction…
75 yards later I pulled off the shoulder thinking to myself, “Yeah, this board is gonna be sweet.”
I wanted his friends to know that he put a huge smile on my face…and I never met the man.
And though he is gone…he may make me smile yet again.
Ear to ear baby!
Nice work Midget! If you can do that…It was a life well met.
Cheers.
Dave Gordon
San Diego, CA
http://www.dagdesignworks.com
I knew MIdget on the World Longboard Tour. He was head judging and for me he was one of the best examples of attitude and behaviour of a head judge. Not only in the work but as a person too. We had great time together with is friends Kurt, Mauro and Tim. Thanks Midget for everything i learned with you…. Was really good the night we had the sea bass in Ericeira after judging the WLT in Caparica and the long travel with Mauro in my van, until France…. Your board that i keep it with me was one of the best boards i had…. Thanks for everything Midget… I will never forget you…..
Michel Amaro
Ericeira, Portugal
Midget you will be sorely missed! As a San Clemente native myself, It was around 1976 when I first met Midget, a spry surfer with a laid back style, that was always available to share a good laugh. As a young boy I would often visit his shop on N. El Camino Real and El Portal (now a small Laundromat) to talk about life and all things surfing. He encouraged all the young skateboarders to come by his shop anytime where he always had a smile on his face and a good word for his friends and neighbors. My brother Mike and I had our first boards shaped by Midget and we were proud to show them off to all we knew. (What I wouldn’t give to have that board now…) My fondest memory is seeing my friend Jimmy Hogan riding one of Midget’s boards in the water about that same time and I felt that since we shared the same board, that I must be a part of the ‘surfing elite’ (or so I thought).
Thanks Midget for bringing a smile to my face, providing me with a board to perform a mean cut-back, and the encouraging words to reach for the goals that were important to me as a young man. May God Bless Your Family and help them to find comfort in the fact that you gave so much of yourself to so many people, only asking for their friendship and love In return. You were loved by many people both locally and abroad. Rest peacefully Midget.
-Daniel-
Midget made my two sons their first boards in the 80’s. Over the years, Midget has become a good friend of our family and I counted more than 10 of his boards in our racks. I can’t put into words, how much we will miss him. We had a running joke about his shaping long boards.
We will miss you Midget and you sure did spoil us.
Jeff
Like my good friend Mike Harrison, I also grew up in San Clemente during the 60’s with Midget. We were in the graduating class of 1969 at San Clemente High School together. As I recall, Midget got onto twin fins earlier than most of us in the San Clemente surf community. During the Mark Richards era, Midget shaped some of the most progressive twin fin surf craft anywhere! He shaped one for me that I rode till it fell apart.
What should be remembered about Midget for those not blessed to have known him personally, or looked him in the eyes to see a truly Aloha driven man, or to have heard him say “you take this one - I’ll get the next one!” is this - Next time you have a surf - give a smile to someone out there. Next time you think this next wave should be yours - tell the guy scrambling beside you to get it ‘hey, you take this one - Ill get the next one!”
It’s the way Midget would have done it! Aloha Midget Smith from the Muldrew Family
Midget Smith worked for us for several years managing Natural Design Surf Shop. Midget was always professional, hard-working, and had a big following. I remember going to Hawaii in 1977 with our team and Midget was already connected to the Hawaiians. When we returned home, Buttons and Dane Keoloha came to the shop to visit Midget. The locals at the shop were all in awe. Everybody liked and respected Midget.
After we closed the shop we did not see much of him, but when we ran into each other we would always share old memories. I regret not calling him when I heard the cancer had returned…I guess I thought he would win this battle again. Life is just too short and we need to take the time to say hi to an old friend.
Midget built my last board and this will be one of my lasting memories of him. To his family and friends, we will all miss a great person and one that has given so much to the surf industry.
Wes & Jan Price
Some of our best sessions were out at Church with Midget.Midgets connection with the waves was beautiful to watch..We feel so blessed to have known him,surfed with him and to have his boards.
When someone like Midget is taken from all of us too soon,the sadness can be overwhelming.We have found great comfort knowing that Midget has paddled into Heavens Line up with no pain,and perfect waves for eternity.
SURF IN PEACE MIDGET,WE WILL MISS YOU.
My introduction to Midget never happened in person but for a surfer to be touched by a shapers art and in this case Midgets gift ~~~` I walked into Wavefront surfshop in Ventura and pulled off the rack a stock Hobie Fusion. As I felt the rail and then looked at the template I asked Randy Schaefer “What is this doing still here ? I had several Terry Martin boards going back to my first short board a Hobie Eastern Star . Now I stood holding pure magic . Randy smiled and said take it . Surf it pay me later as he has so many times supported my evolution to experiment and groove on new feelings and vibes . Randy knew what I had discovered I only sensed it . I kept that board bagged and tucked away unlike other boards I rode it sparingly BUT every session was so incredible . I would let friends test drive it and they looked at me like WOW! this thing is so fast ,smooth and responsive . That longboard lived up to its name . I likened it to a Chef creating an understated masterpiece ,no whistles and bells but when the flavors hit the tastebuds everything blends and explodes into magnificant ,scrumptuous, BLISS. My friend John Germain who knew Midget then showed me a couple of boards Midget had made personally for him and I saw the Fusion belonging in Johns quiver . John put it in his van and that night his van was stolen with 4 boards and The Fusion one of them . But soul shapers always get our last gasp of stoke and I have lived to be blessed by that addiction..yes I admit it Midget had that figured out .
What happened next resonates with what I read here and what John conveyed about him .
I had a really special Bonzer with no mileage on it and a little too much volume for me . I met a guy with a quad that he was having trouble surfing for his height and weight and we swapped . Its not The Fusion but has that same translation of magic. The first turn slingshot off the bottom and into the pocket then ,a quick cuttie…….yeah ! Midget lives on!. John doesn’t ride short boards but he has agreed to try this because he knows what happens under his feet still connected to his friend . Ride On Midget !
I just heard and as usual, I’m the last to hear. The best-man at my wedding, Jeff (Midget) Smith, had passed away. Here was a guy who not only out surfed most, but was a gentleman while doing it. I loved his boards; they had that special feel for the area we surfed. He and I kept surfing through our lives and kept playing phone tag while he was globetrotting judging and me working for the county in the outback of San Diego.
Having known Jeff since the 7th grade, we’ve surfed together and just hung around with others as well. I’ve seen him angry and I’ve seen him happy. When he was pissed I tried to get well out of his way. He didn’t get angry very often but when he did it was usually for a very good reason.
Here’s a story about Jeff and two of his buddies. During high school, there was this trio. They were Dan Lamb, Bill Van Zandt and Jeff Midget Smith. These three guys went and did everything together; they would do harmless pranks on their other friends. If you weren’t their friend, they just ignored you. They also had sport with the Orange County Deputy Sheriff in San Juan Capistrano, like tossing ripe oranges at the patrol car while hiding in the orange grove. The deputy suspected we did the tossing, but never had proof.
Bill’s parents lived on Beach Road and on weekends they would paddle out in Bill’s back yard and catch some waves. On one occasion during a very high tied, a baby Grey Whale was sitting in a ditch, just off shore. Jeff and Dan betted me that I couldn’t paddle over the whale. Well a bet is a bet and I paddled over the animal. The whale saw me paddling closer to it and with one flap of its tail, took off like a rocket with me being left behind. Jeff, Bill and Dan got a good laugh out of that one. Ohh! There were many more such antics in making those three bust up and laugh.
Where once there was four, now there is three. With Jeff gone, it kind of feels incomplete like we’re missing something…Yeah, we’re missing a friend, a good friend and Jeff was our friend. Midget will be remembered for the rest of our lives. Jeff is just a guy you can’t forget.
PS: By the way, truth be known, back in the seventh grade, Jeff was called Midget by all of us in the class, because he was the shortest in the class. Truth be known.
I’ll see you on the other side, buddy
Rory