The Lost Slides

In the late summer of 1992 my dad, Hal Lewis was in his last days with his battle with cancer eventually passing away on Aug 11. The lymphoma caused by long undiagnosed Melanoma had destroyed his once spartan physique and took him at the young age of 62. 

Before he passed he got to say his apologies, his goodbyes and tell countless stories about his lifes adventures and decades of spearfishing and body surfing in La Jolla from 1950-1990.

Pops partying in the Cove

After his death, I didn't keep very many things. The other family members sold the stuff that one collects over a lifetime and the haggling for big appliances and his car wasn't what I wanted to be involved in. All I wanted was what he and I spoke of before his passing. His wooden spear-gun and an old box of slides that were in his closet.

My dad with his world record Totuava

The teak wood gun was made by Riffe way before he had a factory. I remember going up there with my dad in early 1984-85 to pick it up from Riffes garage in Laguna Beach. It still hangs on the wall in my house by a picture of my old man.

The box of slides was more of a surprise. I had never seen them before. Ever. My dad had moved to Belize in 1980 after divorcing my mom and these must have made the journey with him.

Once in my possession, I opened the old weatherproof box and started to go through the slides. I thought they would be of old family events or your everyday run-of-the-mill pics of days spent at the zoo or park. What they were was a time capsule of La Jolla Cove circa 1964-1965. The majority documented body-surfing at Boomer Beach just around the corner from the Cove. 

The Box of slides

There were pics of my dad body surfing along with many others who names did not ring a bell. My mom said that Bud Miller was the one who took the photos but didn't remember when or where my dad may have come into possession of the slides. There are only a handful of the old LJ Cove crew around but im sure they can shed some light on this mystery.

One of the unseen slides

These have been in my possession now for 22 years and I have never showed anyone these images till last week when my friend PMK asked to see them. I hope people smile like I did when I first saw these. He will be sharing these this weekend at his new movie premiere "What the Sea Gives Me"

Lifeguard memorial at Boomers