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Meet Mike Doyle a.k.a. "Ironman"

Mike's surfing career took off when he was voted "Best Surfer" by Surfer magazine in 1965 and 1966. Mike earned the nickname"Ironman" for his participation in surfing, tandem and paddle races all in the same day and usually winning at least two of three competitions. In 1968 Mike won the coveted Duke Kahanamoku Contest at Sunset Beach, Hawaii and the world surfing title in Peru. He holds the honor of inventing the first snowboard (he still snowboards 90 days a year) and the soft surfboard. Mike also had his own pro model surfboard the popular "Doyle Model" created in his honor by Robert August. When he is not traveling the world, Mike lives every surfers dream by splitting his time between San Diego and Cabo San Lucas where he surfs and paints scenes of the ocean and the flavor of Baja.



Whom ever thought that skinny little kid from Inglewood (California) would become a world surfing champ and later a 'legend' - "I didn't". I just loved to surf and went at it with everything I had. I dreamed surf - ate surf, and thought about it everyday all day long - "possessed yes" and that's what make's a champion.

Stay at it; work hard and work smart. Working smart means "how can I improve. I get asked all the time, "do you still surf?" My reply is of course, almost everyday, why not, its not like football were after your pro career is over you never play again.

Surfing is more of a "lifestyle" and if you're really serious you build a lifestyle compatible with your loves and ambitions. I once over heard a fan ask Florence Chadwick (famous swimmer) if she still swam. In response she handed the man a card that read, "Yes I still swim."

I wrote a book, " Morning Glass " which explains what it takes to be a champion, but more than winning the trophy, it explains how to live like a champ - remember the best surfer in the water is the one having the most fun!

I now reside in Mexico down at the tip of Baja and spend my time surfing and painting. Painting has always been my passion, and yes, now I'm possessed again. I'm going through the process again, work hard, work smart and more than anything, love what you are doing or drop it. I've found if you don't like what you're doing, you are going to sabotage yourself anyway.

Life is like a wave, so why not take a big one and get a long ride all the way to the beach!