Celebration of Life & Paddleout for Legendary Harry Murray Original Member of Santa Cruz Surf Club founded in 1936
May 27, 2013 – Memorial Day
The public is invited to join the Santa Cruz surfing community to honor one of its surfing pioneers, the late Harry Murray, who was a member of the Original Santa Cruz Surfing Club founded in 1936.
The Celebration of Life and Paddleout for this legendary figure, who passed away in August of last year, is scheduled for Noon on Memorial Day at the Surfing Sculpture, which is purposely located as the gateway to Steamer Lane and the Surfing Museum.
Harry Murray was also a fixture at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, where he performed in many “Plunge Water Carnivals” which included synchronized swimming, high and fire diving, and all manner of acts, OSHA might not approve today.
During his signature performance, he would hold onto the hands of the bigger Don Bosco Patterson as Patterson shot down a cable from the top of the Boardwalk Casino to the former Pleasure Pier. Over the water, Murray would let go, free falling into the ocean. This particular trapeze act was known by all as the ‘slide of death’.
The Boardwalk's Plunge, which opened in 1907, was filled with heated sea water and operated for years in Neptune's Kingdom, until closed in 1963.