Why Surf Icon Gerry Lopez Chose Bend, Oregon As Home | Dispatches

Iconic surfer Gerry Lopez shares the passions that keep him content in Central Oregon--yoga, shaping surfboards, snowboarding and stand-up paddling in Bend's lakes and rivers.

[tdalb]

I thought it was because Bend Oregon has the last Block Buster.

[mediumrick]

I remember sitting in the Surf Theater in downtown Huntington Beach many times back in the 70's watching surf flicks featuring Gerry Lopez. He was/is and icon in the surfing world.

[michaelsupple]

I surfed in the 60s and 70s. Been riding carving snowboards for over 30 years because on the carving boards, every turn is a bottom turn. How could a surfer not be attracted to that? Been following this guys shenanigans for what seems forever. We even share a love for motorcycling. Jerry Lopez was always my favorite surfer. He always made it look so effortless, so calm in the midst of the storm. :)

[Beachnative]

Lopez is legend. If he is happy there I am happy for him!

[slyder-tv]

I've surfed for 60+ years and skied for 45 years. Skiing destroyed my knees. Now it's just the surf and the ocean.

[goldbeachsurfer]

Much respect Jerry, you were hanging on my wall in a pipeline barrel my whole youth.(70's) You made me have the dream of surfing Honolua my whole life. I finally went there to visit in 2014 and ended up living there. I have had a home on southern Oregon coast for 15 years, and go back and forth. 2 very magical places. I'm almost 50, and still stoked on surfing. Still haven't snowboarded yet though. lol

[charleshoagland]

Being raised surfing puerto rico I have followed this man's life since the surfer and surfing magazines I'm 60 know kelly knew how to compete jerry had the soul in surfing thanks for the years jerry

[clarkewi]

Snowboarding is an extension of surfing just like skateboarding, stand up paddle boarding etc. is. With surfing as one gets older the paddling and flexibility challenges can be daunting. (Not to mention the crowds...) One just doesn't have the strength and stamina they once did. Where as snowboarding does not require as much strength and stamina battling out thru the waves. But it does require balance and judgement skills that riding waves demands. So snowboarding is a perfect sport for Gerry. And I think he will be able to snowboard for a long, long time. Smart dude to discover an endless summer in the winter!

[DrDepth]

I grew up in San Diego. Learning to surf, reading Surfer magazine and drawing waves on my notebook. Got one of Gerry’s Lightening Bolts leaning on my wall. I played paintball every Sunday with Gerry, his brother and Laird Hamilton upcountry on Maui at George’s property in the late 80’s. Fun times. Gerry was a super nice guy. He even stopped his brother from shooting, after I took a direct hit in the ear. Snowboarding in Utah now ... big white waves. Great to see him so stoked about snowboarding.

[sharktooth]

I ran into him in Vancouver at a coffee shop... Mr. Pipe, humble and happy. One of the highlights of my life.

[N.E.P._brig]

Being a lifelong surfer and snowboarder I agree.. Face shots are pretty close to getting spit out of a macker. World is too big and life is too short to experience just one slice of heaven. Shred the earth.

[reddiver]

Wow, seeing Lopez on a Lightning Bolt at Pipe back in the day.
Lots of amazing waves. Great memories.

[keithallison]

Legend!! Seen you on the mountain. Wish when I lived on the islands I would have seen you back in the day. Bend is incredible. Raising my groms there. My girls and I go back to Kauai every year. They know what you talk story bout!! Keep sending it Gerry! 🤙

[raykoons]

Oh man i live in oregon not far from bend had no idea lopez lived here oregon has everything

[hahahahahahahahahahahahaha]

Lopez was the iconic surfer of my generation. Zen master poet of life.

[alexcarter]

I was a surfer kid in the 70s in Hawaii and Gerry Lopez was "the" guy.

[michaelthomas]

In the 70s Lopez was the master stylist. Back then we all wanted to surf like him.

[oldsagejoe]

The winter of ‘92-93 saw record snowfalls. He picked a good time to discover Bend.

[johnmcculloch]

Who would have thought ??
It shows Jerry's humility

[We_Are_Borg_]

Crom laughs at your surfing. Laughs from his mountain.