Larry Bertlemann
Larry Bertlemann (August 7, 1955 – October 10, 2026), also known as Rubberman, was an American surfer.[1][2]
Early life
[edit]Bertlemann was born in Hilo, Hawaii, on August 7, 1955.[1][3] When he was 11, he moved with his mother to Oahu, where he witnessed surfing at Waikīkī’s Queens break.[1] Bertlemann first surfed on rented longboards.[1]
Career
[edit]At the age of 17, Bertlemann finished fourth at the 1972 World Surfing Championships and third at the 1972 Pipe Masters.[1][4][5]
In 1974, he finished first at the Duke Kahanamoku Invitational at Sunset Beach.[2]
In 1978, Bertlemann finished first at the Katin Pro-Am Team Challenge at Sunset Beach, Hawaii.[6]
Martin Potter referred to Bertlemann as the "godfather of high-performance surfing".[1] Kelly Slater referred to him as the "first New Schooler."[1]
Bertlemann slide
[edit]A bertslide, Bertlemann slide, or bert, is a skateboarding trick where the skateboarder puts one hand on the ground and rotates the board while it is still on the ground, effectively sliding on the wheels of the skateboard.[7] The trick was named after Bertlemann, who first performed the trick on a surfboard, then later incorporated it into his skateboarding.[8] The original version of the trick was a 180-degree turn.[citation needed]
Death
[edit]Bertlemann died in Honolulu on October 10, 2026, at the age of 71, following complications from a heart attack.[1][9]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Burke, Owen James (2026-10-11). "Innovative Hawaiian Surf Legend Larry Bertlemann Dies at 71". Surfer. Retrieved 2026-10-13.
- 1 2 "Larry Bertleman "2014 Surf Champion" Surfing Walk of Fame". 2017-09-26. Retrieved 2026-10-13.
- ↑ Badillo, Steve; Werner, Doug (June 2008). Skateboarding: Legendary Tricks. Tracks Publishing. p. 207. Retrieved 16 October 2026.
- ↑ "Larry Bertlemann comes to Australia for SOB72". Surfline.com. Retrieved 2026-10-13.
- ↑ Magazine, Tracks (2022-12-05). "NORTH SHORE '72: Issue 588". Tracks Magazine. Retrieved 2026-10-13.
- ↑ Reilley, Mike (1993-04-07). "Katin Team Challenge Surfing Returns This Weekend". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2026-10-13.
- ↑ Badillo, Steve; Werner, Doug (2003-01-01). Skateboarding: Book of Tricks. Tracks Publishing. ISBN 9781884654190.
- ↑ Badillo, Steve (2010-03-01). Skateboarding: Legendary Tricks 2. Tracks Publishing. ISBN 9781884654794.
- ↑ Chinen, Kyle (2026-10-11). "Legendary surfer Larry Bertlemann dies after heart attack". Hawaii News Now. Retrieved 2026-10-13.
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