TEAM/BIGKOOK WERE LIVING HIGH ON THE PIG. 'KOOK was holding court

at his portion of sand facing Bldg. #6 the popular toilet area across

the "primitive dirt road". It was like the days of wine and roses for

the TEAM. High fives, low fives, ten highs, garlands of kelp draped over

their shoulders, abundance of chanting, even 'KOOK announced,

"Water for my horses, wine for my friends!" It was like the "Glory

Days of San Onofre Surfing". Joe Shlump the Midget sat alone in

the water. The bottom had dropped out of the surf, there wasn't

a wave in the ocean for him. He glared at the festivities, he had

forty five minutes to catch his one wave. Suddenly, the public address

announcer saw the rogue wave approach from the West. "Outside.

Outside!" warned Ranger Dairywimple. It was a ten-footer just beyond

third reef. "The Midget", had special leather on his stumps to hide

his amputations and the hooves replacing his lower extremities. He

stood on his Stealth Model custom stick, not moving, but somehow

he appeared at the right place at the right time. As if it were

following instructions, the grey Stealth delivered Joe Shlump

into a Kamikaze take-off, straight down, bottom turning, up

to the snapping lip, down again to the trough, back again at

breakneck speed, spray flying everywhere. Joe Shlump the Midget

certainly caught the attention of TEAM/BIGKOOK. The noisemakers

suddenly quieted. The Midget suddenly pulled a Christian Fletcher

upside down caper, landed and rode off to the south toward

Trail Twelve and beyond. It was so incredible Ranger Dairywimple

began cheering for Joe Shlump the Midget. I don't know how

they're going to adjudicate his marvelous ride, but I think I've

witnessed this in '82 at Huntington Pier. We'll see.

TUBESTEAK/SURPRISE