I remember the first time I saw a nose-ride... it was Gary Propper... and I said to myself "I want to be him."

- Pete Lopez, June 2000

For the first time,

EAST BEATS WEST

at the East Coast Surfing Championships

Gary Propper was the class of the contest defeating all comers in the East and Open divisions.

The Surfboards Hawaii Eastern Team in 1966.

At the top of the pyramid is Dick Catri, coach and mentor. Propper is the kid in the white t-shirt and serious expression, with his hand on the big trophy, claiming like he owns it already.

Gary's approach to surfing was simple...
go with the flow... but with attitude.

THE COMPETITOR

They tell stories, of when he used to travel up and down the Eastern Seaboard competing... and of the trailer he had to drag around to carry home all the trophies.

The East Coast's hotdog ambassador to the world, GP whip-turned and nose-rode his way to international prominence with a flair that was impossible to ignore... and back in the swinging Sixties, the stuffy surfing establishment tried so hard to do just that. But he wouldn't let them. GP stayed hot and wouldn't go away.

If you're proud of the Right Coast, thank him.

Hawaii, 1965

This marked the first time in history that an East Coast surfer graced the cover
of this magazine.

Hermosa Beach, CA.
1965

The first big, international-renowned surf star from the East Coast. GP mastered all the moves and then added style points all his own.