While our hearts are heavy to hear of the loss of Peter Cole—big wave pioneer and founding chair of Surfrider Foundation’s Oahu Chapter, who just passed at the age of 91—they are also filled with gratitude for the dedication that Peter had to our beloved ocean, and his conservation work with the Surfrider Foundation.
Photo above: Pierce Flynn, Larry McElheny, Peter Cole and Gordon Labedz discussing the Save Sunset beach campaign in the late 1990s.
Peter Cole was not only a big wave pioneer, a teacher, and a perennial figure in the lineup at Sunset Beach, one of the crown jewels of the North Shore surfing community. He was also an ardent conservationist. Peter was the founding chair of the Oahu Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation when it was formed in 1997. With Peter’s leadership and support over several decades, the chapter was instrumental in efforts to permanently conserve Pupkea-Pamalu, protect Kewala Bay & Kuhuku Point from hotel expansion, saving the Haleiwa Beach Park, and stopping poorly planned development at Shark’s Cove, to name a few. Peter’s achievements were celebrated in 2006 when he was awarded the John Kelly Lifetime Achievement award by the Oahu Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation.
Peter was also a mentor and his local efforts and beach cleanups inspired many, including surfing icons from Gerry Lopez to Jack Johnson.
Peter’s legacy in surfing and conservation will live on through the protected coastal and ocean areas that he fought so hard to conserve and by those who are following in his footsteps to protect Oahu’s ocean, waves and beaches.