A new ride

Mike Sciacca

When Tom Curren was inducted into the Surfers’ Hall of Fame last

August in front of Huntington Surf and Sport, he was introduced as an

athlete who brought with him a style and rhythm to wave riding that

was “beyond belief.”

Curren, who burst onto the surf scene in 1980, and went on to

become a three-time world surf champion, reintroduced himself on the

local scene Saturday in a new capacity: as a singer and songwriter.

He hopes to make his style and rhythm legendary again in the music

world.

The Santa Barbara resident, 39, jammed at Taco Surf to his

self-titled debut album that will be released in local surf shops in

early December.

Curren, who played acoustic guitar, was joined on stage by another

acoustic guitarist and violinist.

The performance marked the first time Curren has performed locally

and judging by the crowd’s reaction at Taco Surf, he very well could

make his own mark in the music world.

“It was a really groovy night,” said Scott Waring, team manager of

Huntington Surf and Sport, who helped stage Saturday’s event. “It was

the perfect setting. He was so close to the crowd that you could

touch him.

“Tom’s such a cool guy. He has such great sounds that when he was

playing and singing, you could almost see him surfing in surf spots

like J-Bay.”

Curren is now part of the Huntington Surf and Sport team, one

which includes a stable of 33 surfers ranging from amateurs ages 10

to 18, and professionals in an age range between 17 and 28, Waring

said.

He arrived late to Saturday’s gig, having come from the beach

after competing that afternoon in a surf contest held at Brookhurst

Street.

Curren, Waring said, is the “perfect fit” when it comes to

Huntington Surf and Sport’s motto of “The Past, Present and Future.”

“He’s meant so much to the surfing world and I really believe he’s

going to go big with his music,” Waring said. “I think his debut CD

will go over well in surf shops throughout Huntington.”

Curren says he’s dabbled in music since he was a youngster, mostly

on the drums, and describes his music as “mellow,” which fits his

personality.

The 10-track album contains plenty of acoustic rock, a sound that

dominated Saturday’s spirited performance.

He’s also wrote most of the lyrics to his music.

“I like a variety of things but I draw most of my inspiration from

personal types of stuff,” said Curren, married and the father of

four. “I hope this debut album will go over well but really, I think

it all depends on what type of music people like.”

Curren, who has won more world tour events than any other surfer,

has been known to keep to himself. Through his music, however, he has

revealed a lot of himself, much the same way he did through his

surfing.

“This isn’t the Beach Boys and it’s not hard rock,” he said. “The

album is pretty mellow, which suits my style.”

Although not competing much on the pro tour these days, he did

compete in the U.S. Open of Surfing in Surf City in August.

He said he always will feel a special bond with Huntington Beach.

“It’s a community that has been really supportive and has embraced

the surfing culture, and I’m grateful for that,” he added. “It was a

huge honor to be included in the Hall of Fame and now, I’m happy to

be back here, playing my music.”

* MIKE SCIACCA covers sports and features. He can be reached at

(714) 965-7171 or by e-mail at michael.sciacca@latimes.com.