WET ‘N’ WILD WITH ROCKIN’ FIG:

Mike Fisher, a Surf City resident and 17-year-old member of the Huntington Beach High School surf team, recently found out he had a tumor.

Fisher was having what he thought were flu symptoms, sinus pressure causing headaches and making him tired. Then without warning he had a seizure and was rushed to the hospital, finding out that he a had a walnut-sized tumor inside his head. They immediately did the surgery to remove it and thus far things have gone well.

Fisher does need more treatment though, to make sure it’s totally gone. The problem is, his insurance won’t cover it and his family can’t afford it. So the surfing community has come together and pitched in, and the downtown surf shops are taking donations. A big, “Save Mikes Head” fundraiser went on last Monday night at Huntington Beach High School and was a huge success.

Quiksilver gave them the new “Just Add Water” movie with surf phenomenon Clay Marzo in it, surfing Tahiti, Fiji, then over to Europe with parts in France and Spain and even Oz too. The movie was a hit, and all the proceeds went to his fund. They raffled off pro surfer Yadin Nichol’s surfboard to the likes of many of the stoked grom’s. Katin surf wear gave a bunch of stuff away, a free snow board was given away too, plus some Hurley wetsuits, and an autographed poster from legendary big wave rider Greg Noll, plus more hot stuff to raise funds. Fisher even recorded a song about his ordeal, with hot guitarist Stevo of Killer Taco that touched many.

Fisher has stayed with a good attitude and looks to getting back to the normal side of things. He’s been surfing again, but wearing a light blue helmet for safety out in the water and going to school tackling his home work. They have raised more than $15,000, but it could cost up to $50,000 over the year, so more fundraisers are planned. And thanks goes out to Fisher’s neighbor, Brenda Barry, who has really taken this thing in hand and put tons of hours into figuring how to raise these funds. And a special thanks out there to everyone who has contributed from merchandise to money, to even a prayer!

Wow last week’s swell was another jammer, especially that epic Thursday at the pier, over head surf, no wind and 85 degrees, shake and bake on the sand. Saw lots of barrels, big “Junga” getting deep, M.B. getting an Indo looking left tube on South side, drop-knee style, Tippy way back in a shack, Chado hooking up a couple sick rights and little Queen slashing big time. Plus top pros Jordy Smith, Timmy Reyes and Brad Gerlach hanging too. Did I hear that Tim from Cal Surf Pix shot more than 760 pictures that day, that’s a record. Pray for more surf and for Fisher too. Fig over and out.

RICK FIGNETTI is a 10-time West Coast champion and a longtime KROQ-FM surfologist. He owns a surf shop on Main Street. You can reach him at (714) 536-1058.