Da Cat got your tongue?

Some have labeled him as an icon of the rebellious attitude of the 1960's, while others just think he was an selfish asshole.
Mickey "Da Cat" Dora was an eccentric man to say the least. While he contributed a great deal towards the progression of the sport of surfing (such as being one of the first surfers to use a pintail board), Da Cat is much better known for his outlandish behavior. For instance, Mickey had a knack for stealing anything that wasn't bolted to the ground. He also spent a good eal of time in prison for a large scale credit card scam. His actions in the water though, were what made him famous. Like a pit-helmeted explorer picking off leeches from his own ass, Mickey relished in relieving Surfrider's lineup from bothersome kooks.

His coup de grace of course though was his famous "exposure" during a Malibu surf contest. During the 1967 Malibu Invitational Surf Classic, Mickey took off on a wave, slid beautifully down the line, and when he passed the tower where the judges were residing, he dropped his shorts and mooned the crowed. That was the last time Da Cat would ever participate in a contest.

However, his whole attitude of burning kooks like a kid shooting cans with a b.b. gun has somehow integrated itself into the attitude of Malibu point. Burn somebody in the line up, and there's a good chance you will not be making the next wave. I experienced that once myself, as one pendejo literally shoved me off a wave (though it retrospect he did have the right away). Malibu is an amazing wave that has the unfortunate luck of being located next to a urban sprawl of several million people. Da Cat said that he punished kooks because he had a right, and after spending a good deal of time in the water myself, I can understand what he meant. I too have felt that urge to smack some kook as he completely burned me on his brand new SUP in total and blissful ignorance.

However, that sort of aggression goes completely against the idea of surfing. Surfing is an artistic escape. Why should anything that positive be tainted by anger? Yes, it can be frustrating in a line up full of folks unaware of the code, but angry reprisals are disrespectful to not only the surfing community, but to the ocean as well.

Though Dora will live on at Malibu as long as there are both waves and people, do try and have compassion for that poor Val or kook when your surfing First Point. Who knows? Maybe whitey will witness your selfless act and decide to eat a surf Nazi instead of you.