Reno Abellira, Hawaiian Surf Icon, Dies at 76

There was a time that Reno Abillera was one of the greatest surfers in the world, known for charging on the North Shore with a distinct and beautiful style that was uniquely his own. His passing at 76 will come with an outpouring of love and respects from his peers and contemporaries like Gerry Lopez.

For those who knew of the hard times he experienced later in life, especially in the past few years, the news of his passing will not be much of a surprise. Just last year, longtime friend and fellow Hawaiian big wave icon, Darrick Doerner posted on Instagram asking for help locating Reno, who was homeless, as he had disappeared from his makeshift campsite. In recent years his life was aided by a network of friends who helped look after him when things got tough, nevertheless there was only so much that could be done.

In his peak, he was one of the North Shore's brightest stars during the Golden Age of Hawaiian surfing. His life on land was stuff of legend, he was the life of the party, handsome and the youngest of the bunch of the new age of Hawaiian heavies. By all accounts, he was living large but was never far from trouble.

This was during the late 60s and early 70s, when the shortboard revolution was firing alongside the counterculture movement and widespread drug use. He won the Smirnoff World Pro/Am in 1974 and was later ranked #4 in the world in 1977. He made a name for himself as one of the young Hawaiian talents who captivated fans with his beautiful surfing and finesse--especially in big waves.

Mentored by Dick Brewer, Reno was a master shaper who made a mark under his own name after his years riding Lightning Bolts. He influenced Mark Richards with a twin fin design that he brought to Australia that led to the twin fin resurgence that is associated with MR. "I helped him usher in that era of his career but he always gave me credit for that."