Mike Downey “2021 Local Hero”
Still ripping at his favorite HB Pier Northside bowl
PHOTO: Courtesy Mike Downey. Downey started out ripping on the legendary Huntington surfboard brand Plastic Fantastic.
Longtime Huntington Beach figure Mike Downey is now forever enshrined on Main Street. Downey’s commitment to the local surf community is exemplified through the many facets of his lifelong love of surfing. From coaching local grommets to serving on the board of directors for the Professional Longboard Association, his HB roots run deep. Downey graduated Huntington Beach High School in 1975 and worked at Plastic Fantastic alongside Rockin’ Fig during the ’70s. Whether in the competitor’s jersey or in the judging tower, he’s been involved with surf contests of all shapes and sizes for decades, putting in time with the HB High surf team as well as the Pro Longboard Tour. He now works as an Exercise Kinesiology Specialist.
PHOTO: Courtesy of Bobby Zee Images. Downey has been behind the mic and on the judging panel of surf contests for over 40 years, seen here with Walk of Famer Rockin’ Fig, R.I.P.
PHOTO: Courtesy Bobby Zee. Mike ripping it off the top at his favorite HB Pier Northside bowl.
PHOTO: Courtesy Ron Lyon. John Etheridge, Mike Downey and PT.
August 1994
Fletcher 1995
Corky Carroll 1996
"Gordie" 1997
Dent 1998
Jack Hayley 1999
Llamas 2000
Nuuhiwa 2001
Gerlach 2002
Linnen 2003
Harbour 2004
Hayward 2005
"The Greek" 2006
Farnsworth 2007
Chew 2008
Baxter 2009
"Rockin Fig" 2010
Fury 2011
Draper 2012
Crump 2013
Mike Haley 2014
Boozer 2015
Turner 2016
Reyes 2017
Lewis 2018
Hawk 2019
Downey 2021
Gabrielson 2022