A grateful wave goodbye: tributes paid to “the architect of British surfing”

Copyright jerseyeveningpost

A JERSEYMAN described as ‘the architect of British surfing’ and ‘a true local surfing legend’ has died after a long life committed to the sport. David Grimshaw was not only one of the founding fathers of the Jersey Surfboard Club, being Surf Club President for many years, but he was the instigator and driving force of the British Surfing Association, being appointed the first president in 1966. He became secretary general of the International Surfing Association organising the ISA World Championships for ten years and was a key member of the European Surfing Federation. ‘Grimmo’ began surfing in St Ouen’s Bay in the early 1960s, alongside friends and fellow pioneers such as Dave Beaugeard and Gordon Burgis. They became leading figures in the Jersey Surfboard Club and it built a reptation has a supremely well-organised outfit. Mr Grimshaw became a committed surf administrator, organising Jersey’s first competitions, which boosted surfing’s credibility across the British Island and internationally. He recognised the need for the sport to be organised under its own governing body and worked with surfers in Cornwall to form the BSA. By the 1970s, he was Britain’s most experienced surfing official and he travelled the world attending meetings, events and social occasions. In 1975 he was appointed vice-president of the European Surfing Federation and in 1983 he was made secretary general of the ISA. That year, he was also made an honorary life president of the JSC. He played a leading role in bringing the World Championships to Britain in 1986. In recognition of his immense contribution, Grimmo was given his own page and described as ‘The Architect of British Surfing’ in Roger Mansfield’s landmark history of the sport in Britain, The Surfing Tribe. Former JSC president David Ferguson described Mr Grimshaw as a “role model” and an “exemplar of how someone should run a club”, which was built on listening, politeness, respect, humour and kindness. He said: “For those of us growing up surfing in the 70s and 80s, Grimmo was always the driving force on the beach organising numerous contests including the infamous Jersey versus France contests, which always ended up with a great party at the Watersplash. “He was always smiling, happy to help anyone, a proud Jerseyman and had many friends through his love of surfing. “He had a great sense of fun and was always keen to be kept up to date with the JSC news of the current crop of talented junior surfers.” Away from the beach, Jersey-born Mr Grimshaw worked for half a century at Le Gallais Shipping in Hilgrove Street. A surfing entrepreneur, he also sold wetsuits, boards, shorts and other equipment with other pioneers of the sports, such as Steve Harewood and Barry Jenkins. Mr Grimshaw, who died aged 92, was married to Jan for 56 years. The couple spent many years travelling the globe and visiting many of its far-flung places. The JEP extends its sympathy to Mrs Grimshaw as well as friends, family and all who knew Grimmo.