In a way, Rockin’ Fig will forever look out at his favorite surf spot on the north side of the Huntington Beach Pier, where the iconic surfer caught countless waves through the decades.
A bronze memorial with Rick “Rockin’ Fig” Fignetti’s image – eyes behind thick bifocals, goatee framing his stoked smile and a hat with his surf shop’s name – was unveiled on Wednesday, Feb. 9. The plaque with the words “Voice of Surfing in Huntington Beach” honors the legacy of the well-known surfer who died July 16.
“This plaque is the most amazing gift for my dad, our family and the whole community,” said his daughter, Chanel Fugnetti, who was joined by brother Ricky and dozens of family members and friends who gathered for the tribute.
Along with owning the popular surf shop, Rockin’ Fig Surf Headquarters, on Main Street now being run by his two children, Fignetti (who used a slightly different spelling for his name to match his moniker) gave KROQ listeners the morning surf report for 25 years and for decades his voice echoed across the sand as the emcee for countless surf contests and other events.
The location of the plaque on Lifeguard Tower 0 was a perfect spot not only because it looks out to the ocean, but because it is placed above best friend and pastor Sumo Sato, who died in 2016, Chanel Fugnetti said.
”He loved Huntington Beach so much and he would have been so stoked to be right here,” Fugnetti told the crowd about her father. “Thank you to everyone who put this together, we are forever grateful.”
Following Fignetti’s death, then Mayor Kim Carr proposed the pier memorial, which the city did in conjunction with the Greater Huntington Beach Interfaith Council. The city will also continue with Rockin’ Fig Day, planned for Sept. 17, Fugnetti said.
Kai Kiaha, a pastor at H20 Church, which Fignetti attended, said the longtime surfer and Huntington Beach community member was all about the slow moments – laughing, joking, talking and just hanging out.
“If you walked into his shop, you were his brother, sister, you were his friend,” he said. “And that’s what made Fig so special.”
His voice was one of hope and had the ability to lift people up, even during difficult times, Kiaha said.
“That’s what I’ll forever love and cherish about Rockin’ Fig, being able to speak hope into people’s lives,” Kiaha said. “Now, he’ll be forever associated with Huntington Beach, this pier, this places that he loved.”
A surfboard memorial was also unveiled, a collage of Fignetti with family and friends.
Mayor Barbara Delgleize read a quote during the ceremony that said grief is like the ocean, coming in waves.
“Sometimes the water is calm, sometimes it is overwhelming,” she said. “All we can do is learn to swim.”
She urged people to live like Fig, as he was known around town.
“Life is so precious. Let’s continue to live how Fig did, with kindness and compassion, with laughter and humor,” she said. “We will never forget him and this plaque is a testimony to his aloha spirit.”
Source: Orange County Register
Be First to Comment