The ivory tower of surf academia has long been filled with soft-voiced argument as to who exactly is the 1965 American men's division champ. Mark Martinson won the United States Surfing Championships that September at Huntington Pier. But Rusty Miller was the United States Surfing Association rating's leader, meaning he out-pointed the field over a course of several events during the year. Force me to choose one or the other, and I'd give the title to Martinson. But is there not room enough in our hearts and surf-contest databases for two champs? Put my vote down, forcefully, as an Aye.

There is no confusion or argument whatsoever that Rusty Miller is among our brightest and most likable stars. The freckles and smile alone light up any room, any beach, any lineup that Miller graces—and that's been true for 60 years and counting. It is also surf-world fact that Miller in his prime was an incredibly versatile rider of waves, a standout everywhere from the Moonlight shorebreak to boil-etched set waves at Waimea Bay. Have another look at the second half of the video, above. Miller does that Eddie Aikau thing, where he can somehow relax during the most critical moments of a big-wave drop. The Sunset Beach wedge at 1:19, and the two Waimea waves at the end—any little clench, any little flash of self-doubt, and you're looking at three wipeouts. Miller levitates his way through the heaviness like the surfing Swami he is.

I bow to Shiva and I bow to you too, Rusty Miller.

WATCH: THE OVERWHELMING LIKABILITY OF RUSTY MILLER

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