Not too many people know this. And I feel really bad for not posting this sooner. However I will say, everytime I saw Leonard after the events of that day I would call him ' My FRIEND','MY HERO'. Reason? He saved my life. Leonard was and still is to this day 'MY HERO'! In 1964 Jerry Laferriere and I were at Hueneme Pier 'Skim Boarding'. I saw Leonard and a couple of guys with him out Surfing. I waved he waved and that was that. Jerry and I got bored with Skim Boarding and sat down. Leonard and the other guys he was with came in, we spoke and I decided since I conquered the ART of SKIM BOARDING I decided to see if I could swim out and around the pier. Half way out to the end of that 'Fine' looking pier, I came to realization that My Plan Wasn't going to work. Much to my dismay I came to a very QUICK Realization, I was in a Mell of a Hess and in trouble too. I also came to the conclusion that when you are Drowning you basically have two choices; 1. Don't get others involved and Man Up! 2. Realize that the 'Man Up thing is WAY OVER RATED and get as many people as you can INVOLVED!!!!! Which I did. I first got Jerry's attn. but he thought I was waving! And he waved back with a smile....what a guy! So I continued to flail, scream and if I had a Flair gun with me i would have used that! (aimed at Jerry) just kidding he didn't realize I was in one of those Rip Tides that Hueneme Water was known for. Luckily for me Leonard saw I was in Dire Straights, hopped on his board and came out to get me. He didn't say a word on the way out to get me, nor on the way back in. I couldn't thank him enough.... EVER!!!!! He and I weren't close friends, however, we had something that not too many people in a lifetime can claim. A Life saving experience. In which I was the one that needed help and got it. Again. I'm sorry you are gone my 'MY FRIEND, 'MY HERO'
Randy Ipson (Mahan)
Not too many people know this. And I feel really bad for not posting this sooner. However I will say, everytime I saw Leonard after the events of that day I would call him ' My FRIEND','MY HERO'. Reason? He saved my life.Leonard was and still is to this day 'MY HERO'!
In 1964 Jerry Laferriere and I were at Hueneme Pier 'Skim Boarding'. I saw Leonard and a couple of guys with him out Surfing. I waved he waved and that was that. Jerry and I got bored with Skim Boarding and sat down. Leonard and the other guys he was with came in, we spoke and I decided since I conquered the ART of SKIM BOARDING I decided to see if I could swim out and around the pier. Half way out to the end of that 'Fine' looking pier, I came to realization that My Plan Wasn't going to work. Much to my dismay I came to a very QUICK Realization, I was in a Mell of a Hess and in trouble too.
I also came to the conclusion that when you are Drowning you basically have two choices;
1. Don't get others involved and Man Up!
2. Realize that the 'Man Up thing is WAY OVER RATED and get as many people as you can INVOLVED!!!!! Which I did.
I first got Jerry's attn. but he thought I was waving! And he waved back with a smile....what a guy!
So I continued to flail, scream and if I had a Flair gun with me i would have used that! (aimed at Jerry) just kidding he didn't realize I was in one of those Rip Tides that Hueneme Water was known for. Luckily for me Leonard saw I was in Dire Straights, hopped on his board and came out to get me. He didn't say a word on the way out to get me, nor on the way back in. I couldn't thank him enough.... EVER!!!!! He and I weren't close friends, however, we had something that not too many people in a lifetime can claim. A Life saving experience. In which I was the one that needed help and got it.
Again. I'm sorry you are gone my 'MY FRIEND, 'MY HERO'
Dean Mahan