Year of Da Cat

bonefish — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 06:22:33 -0800

Year of Da Cat: Known as surfing's "Black Knight" or "The Angry Young Man of Surfing" (even "the consummate surf nazi") for his attitude, but more famously as "Da Cat" for his feline grace on a wave, Miki Dora defined the soul of surfing when it exploded into 60's popularity via Gidget (a historical moment in which he had no small part). Cashing in as the go-to stunt surfer for beach party movies even as he decried surfing's commercialization, Dora parlayed his notoriety in the surf media (including a highlight in The Endless Summer) to icon status, venerated even more since his death in 2002. When a single encounter with the legend warrants a web page or two and movies have been made about chasing his enigma and taking up his challenge, a Hollywood bio-pic would seem obvious and indeed, the most recent Dora biography has been optioned by Leonardo DiCaprio (though surf bloggers have other casting choices, of course). Through the 1970's and into the 90's, Dora roamed the world as an itinerant scam artist in search of perfect waves, leaving dietrus behind that is now for sale, including his most prized possessions, correspondence and a "forsaken son" who produces a web comic that reimagines Da Cat literally, as a furry! Now in surfer heaven and channeled from beyond the grave, Miki is still suffering the kooks. Miki on MySpace: 1, 2. YouTubluar: Classic footage of Da Cat doing his thing in this tribute video by The Supertones. Dora and others in perfect Rincon. Endless Summer's Bruce Brown talks with Dora at the 1st Duke in 1966. Clip from beach party movie For Those Who Think Young features Da Cat stunt surfing and getting air in the dance pit as an extra. My favorite: Dora charges the notorius Dogtown break circa 1974. Sublime trim! Dora explains himself in this mid-90's clip. Some of the last footage of Dora surfing ever shot. In Search of Da Cat trailer. Author David Rensin (All for a Few Perfect Waves: the Audacious Life and Legend of Rebel Surfer Miki Dora) discusses the man. Photos: Iconic images by legendary surf photographer LeRoy Grannis. Last pic taken of Miki Dora.

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Year of Da Cat

Can you tell me how to check for a hernia?