Hoppy Swarts, Veteran Surfer, Dies of Stroke

Lewis Earl (Hoppy) Swarts, a 1930s surfing champion who helped organize the sport in California, died of a stroke while on his way to a contest in Northern California. He was 71.

Swarts was in line at a Los Angeles International Airport ticket counter when he collapsed and died of a massive stroke Thursday, a longtime friend, Dave McIntyre, said Monday.

Swarts’ body will be cremated and the ashes scattered at 8 a.m. Sunday at Redondo Beach. In addition to McIntyre, Steve Pezman, Surfer magazine publisher, will give a eulogy.

Swarts, who was a familiar figure on California beaches with his trademark straw hat, was headed for a Western Surfing Assn. contest in Santa Cruz when he died.

Swarts, a member of the Palos Verdes and San Onofre surfing clubs, helped start the United States Surfing Assn. in the early 1960s.

He was born in Redondo Beach June 25, 1916, and was active in football, water polo and swimming before graduation from Redondo Beach High School in 1935.

He received a bachelor’s degree from Occidental College and a master’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of California.

Swarts, who recently had moved to Long Beach, is survived by a brother, two sisters, two daughters, a son and eight grandchildren.