Dawn Patrol:

Early spring is often the most fickle season for surfing in Southern California. The winter swells have stopped, the southern hemisphere hasn’t kicked in yet and we get a lot of onshore breeze.

This year we’ve already had some modest south swell activity and the North Pacific is still hanging in there. The endless “spring break” (what happened to “Easter vacation?”) that keeps beach traffic bad and lineups crowded on weekdays hasn’t really materialized this year for some reason — at least not during the prime-time morning surfing hours. I keep harping on how great the conditions have been for the last 12 months, but maybe that’s because I know how long it might be before we have another season like this.

The important story of the week was Thursday’s paddle-out in memory of Mike Marshall, hometown surfing and shaping icon who passed away in February. Several hundred friends gathered north of Newport Pier to pay their respects and celebrate Mike’s life. The seawall was lined with dozens of Marshall and vintage Harbour surfboards that Mike had shaped. They’re normally kept out of sight by their protective owners and I’ll doubt you’ll see that many on the beach or in the water again. The front-row parking spaces were filled with classic surf cars from the 50s and 60s, including Marshall’s pink Rambler.

An emotional Robert “Wingnut” Weaver did an admiral job as Master of Ceremonies for the testimonials held on the beach preceding the paddle-out. The weather couldn’t have been finer and the small gentle surf made it easy for those who hadn’t been on a board for a while to get out. The day was also special in that it marked what would have been Mike’s and his wife Sharon’s 43rd wedding anniversary.

Old guard Blackie’s surfer Walter Viszolay, knee paddling in surf trunks and a straw hat, coordinated the in-the-water proceedings. Surfers innately resist organization and following instructions so getting the 150 or more paddlers into a semblance of a circle was no small feat. Walter also served as spiritual leader, his invocation reminding us of our own mortality and that, “Now it’s time to let Mike go.” Mark Solberger distributed flowers, then Sharon Marshall, son Hugh, daughter Jennifer and granddaughter Georgia paddled into the center and spread Mike’s ashes into the ocean.

Afterward my buddy Rat Jr. and I reflected on how great it was to run into so many friends we hadn’t seen for years. It’s inspirational to hear about the impact a person has had on other people’s lives, but it’s even more powerful to witness the manifestation of it as we did Thursday. From 16-year-old rocker Morgan Smith, who paddled out with his dad and older brother, to “Eric” who’s 94 and watched from the beach, Marshall touched them all, and Thursday was the first of what is planned to be an annual celebration.

JOHN BURTON’S surf column appears Fridays. He may be reached by e-mail at [email protected].