Mark Martinson Pupukea Paddle Out

Born in 1947, Mark Martinson passed on November 9, 2023. As a young prodigy surfer in Long Beach, Ca., Mark became a teenage 1965 US Surfing champion at Huntington Beach and was invited to the Duke Kahanamoku Classic at Sunset Beach in Hawaii. This must be where he fell in love with Oahu’s famous North Shore, a place where he would purchase property and make his home in front of the Pupukea surf break for a half century.
He spent six of his young years mildly avoiding the draft while surfing in MacGillivray and Freeman surfing films, but when finally inducted to boot camp at Fort Ord, he was dropped for medical issues with asthma.
Mark was connected to Harbour Surfboards and featured in a 1966 Harbour Trestles ad while surfing at Honolua Bay on Maui.
Mark would later become one of the featured Huntington Beach shapers at Robert August Surfboards collaborating with Robert ‘Wingnut’ Weaver on the Robert August ‘Wingnut’ model surfboard shaped for longboard nose riding.
Mark was known for his underground personality loving golf at Kahuku Golf Course, talking story, and drinking Coors beer.
He was also associated with Dark Seas Division, an outdoor clothing company.
Mark Martinson was inducted into the Surfing Walk of Fame in 2009.
Matt Warshaw cites Mark’s signature features as his deep and hard bottom turn and his Cheshire Cat smile.
His paddle out took place on May 14, 2024 in front of the Pupukea home he shared with his wife Jeannie. The two spent 50 years married.
Thanks to Teeny D, Michael Leonard, and Bill Brooks for contributing to this video.

[@lisajeanmuir5584]

Beautiful tribute,rest in pardise, Mark!

[@terrypeek7743]

Aloha Jeannie. What a great send off for Mark. Good to see so many friends for the paddle out in front you and Marks home. So many memories he left behind for so many years. God Bless, Terry and Janice🩴🩴

[@SteveBoucher-tp9es]

What a beautiful send off for a son of Aloha. Rest in peace Mark, you live on in ours hearts and thoughts.

[@creature957]

Rest in peace Mark, thanks for all the memories ❤

[@rj-qd7fh]

just a beautiful send off for a great man

[@Bazzaland]

Jack Johnson sighting at 10:00 mark. I remember seeing Mark's surfing photos in so many surf mags over the years. This is a fitting tribute to a legend. Thank you and rest in peace, Mark......

[@newoldguy9609]

In 1964 I was staying in Lahaina with a friend or two at times. Mark and Greg M. Stayed with us for a few days, and I believe that shot of him at Honolua Bay was from that time. We didn’t go to the bay that day as we didn’t think there was adequate swell for it to break. Big mistake as Mark pointed out a couple of times in years past. Mark was a great guy and even greater surfer. Aloha Mark, you’ll be missed by many. Darryl

[@caseyrawles3045]

Haleiwa is a great place for freinds and family aloha sir

[@overheadunlimited]

cool tribute! Thank for sharing!

[@JackBarlow-vr4tj]

MM is and will always be a legend In our little community. Thank you MR Kyle for your beautiful documentation of a gorgeous afternoon. That said I will also reflect on the fact that the child with long hair dropped in on wingnut and wingnut dropped in on that girlie 😂😂😂😂

[@keyele]

Aloha Kyle

[@happyoldhippy]

what I remember from seeing Mark in Free and Easy so many years back was his huge smile... final sunset for another great surfer and decent guy.. God bless his family and friends who remain to live on another day..

[@hurlburt808]

Mahalo Kyle a great job felt like I was there!

[@keyele]

Appreciate the comment. Aloha Kyle

[@user-jk3eo2mj3h]

Aloha Mark Martinson ... My first Board was a 9'6" Trestle Special ( Mark Martinson Model ) with three redwood stringers my uncle Frank bought me in 65 new off the rack at RonJon surf shop Cocoa Beach $ 200:00

[@Swayzeo]

🤙🏼

[@stevepope5484]

I hope he was saved.