James Blears, Jr (January 6, 1948 – February 4, 2011) was the 1972 World Surfing Champion.[1]

Jimmy Blears
Personal information
BornJames Blears, Jr.
(1948-01-06)January 6, 1948
Santa Monica, California,
United States
DiedFebruary 4, 2011(2011-02-04) (aged 63)
Honolulu, Hawaii,
United States
Surfing career
Years active1960s–1990s
Best year1972
SponsorsWeber Surfboards
Major achievements1972 IPS World Champion
Surfing specifications
StanceGoofy foot
Favorite wavesJockos

History

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Jimmy Blears was born in California the oldest son of former NWA and WWA pro-wrestling champion, Lord James "Tally-Ho" Blears, also an avid surfer who appeared in the seminal surfing documentary, The Endless Summer.[2] At the age of eleven Blears moved with his family to Hawaii, where he learned surfing from his father. During his career Blears was a professional C&C North Shore lifeguard for 25 years, as well as being a professional surfer.

Blears died in his sleep on February 4, 2011, in Honolulu, at the age of 63.

Family

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Blears' sister, Laura, was one of the world's top female surfers during the 1970s.[3] His youngest brother, Clinton “Tallyho” Blears was also a noted professional surfer.

References

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  1. ^ Encyclopedia of Surfing by Matt Warshaw, 2003; published by Harcourt Books
  2. ^ Jimmy Blears - Biography Archived 2013-12-14 at the Wayback Machine at World Champions of Surfing; published January 3, 2012; retrieved September 7, 2012
  3. ^ Hawaii Surfers Surfing Past 60, by David Thompson; at Honolulu Magazine; published December 2011; retrieved September 7, 2012
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Achievements
Preceded by ISF World Surfing Champion (men's)
1972
Succeeded by