BUTCH VAN ARTSDALEN: Untold Tales of THE FIRST Mr. Banzai Pipeline

[@thatlovejones]

Lot of people tried to help him in his last years, but he just couldn’t stop drinking. I lived on the North Shore for decades, stories about him were everywhere. His fighting skills were legendary, even among the local guys, who are the toughest MF’s I have ever known. Many great surfers back then were iconoclasts, rebels, wild men. Butch was the king of all that. His legend lives on.

[@jobhiojkp]

I don't think he even made it to 40, did he? 'Course, I doubt hanging out at the Flu Box helped his health much. I'm surprised Hussong's wasn't on that list too.

[@mjl.9-19]

I'm 75, from Hawaii, as a kid i had heard of him as Mr Pipeline from the big surf movies and mags, he was an icon...never saw him in person, as I never went north shore to surf, nor did I know there was so much film of his switch foot and smooth style. Longboard no leash days.

[@evrgreen_69]

Only knew of him from Endless Summer where I think? Bruce mentions his name, Had no idea he was such a switch stance ripper! Total legend thanks so much for this it was very well done!💯🤙

[@farmertomcannacast]

Well done! IMHO the best all around Surfer of his time.

[@windansea6702]

Butch was the best of everything, today he would be a superstar and in my mind he is one.

[@ericcopple169]

My friend's dad used to tell us stories about Butch, today I know they were true. Thank you for this thoughtful video. 🙏

[@donkeller1233]

Nice tribute. Really well done, and nice sound track.

[@dougwotton1046]

Excellent little Bio on Butch 👍💯! A true surfing legend 💪.

[@markhale8084]

The compilation of Butch’s surfing was awesome, have long been amazed with his ability to switch his stance in critical situations on serious waves like Waimea, Sunset, Honolua Bay, and even Pipe (as well as on non-serious waves like when he is at Lahaina Harbor…sad to see the Pioneer, stayed there myself because of this very footage). Butch lived large, a true legend.

[@mikeelder6146]

Great show!! Thanks for putting it together and sharing it with us.

[@thomasrichardson-ev1wp]

My brother and I first met Butch in Baja Mexico during the San Miguel surfing invitational in Ensenada. We were in Hudson’s cantina and we were all very drunk at about 2:30 am The place had cleared out and my brother and I didn’t have a ride back to the where the contest wea being held. Butch told us to hop into is beat up car and off we went with Butch barely able to keep the car on the rode. Later that year we went to the islands with Las Olas surf team to surf in the Makaha surf contest. During the trip my brother padded out at Pipeline where he saw Butch. He asked him how it was going and he responded not well. I can’t get a wave. Butch responded and no problem. Follow me and I’ll yell out my wave and you can take it. Great guy

[@mikebecker9791]

His switch foot a Sunset is the best I've ever seen.

[@chrismartin8900]

Great edit TR thanks for sharing!!

[@johncamp2172]

I saw him in 73 Jumps off the tower and paddle out to 3rd reef Ripping perfect timing Great lifeguard and one of the best watermen ever

[@blakeherrmann9784]

That was awesome. Thanks for sharing that for all of us.

[@joegibbs2508]

Thanks for finding, and putting, all these great photos and films of Butch into a video. He was a great person to meet. And through this video I got to know him a little more. His switch stance surfing was great. It reminded me of another great switch stance surfer from La Jolla, Dale Dobson.

[@spaceghost_1]

Very well, done video lots of good footage love hearing the history of surfing and all the great surfers from the past

[@joeblow1942]

Great story. My brother in law knew and surfed with Butch in La Jolla and on the North Shore.

[@chrisgardner6677]

I was blessed to have met Butch when I was a teenager living at Pipe...

[@stevemcelvaney5534]

Great video. Thanks

[@user-rf7kc4ev6t]

Kinda cool watching Butch at Waimea the night before the Eddie.

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

that's why I'm here! Hahaha

[@jrhamp]

Grew up in South Bay...Pier Avenue for elementary school. Went to the jazz bar in Hermosa Beach with parent called The Lighthouse. Across the street was hippie type hangout..later years, to San Miguel trying to shoot the breakwater..still have the rock scars on my leg. Lots of fond memories of days long past. It was truly a gifted time during the "surg summer" "ski winter" times. I am certain many remember...RH

[@RealSurfStories]

Classic!!

[@paulakiu5793]

He would come to Makaha to visit Buffalo Keaulana and I would be in awe of 2 of the legendary watermen ,great surfers and lifeguards.

[@larrypierce508]

Amazing surfer !

[@williammartin2842]

He packed more fun into 38 years than most fit into 90.

[@caseyhansen4567]

Thanks for doing this video.i have an old picture of him in hawaii.cheap print.but great inspiration for us goofyfooter

[@dennisthemenace57]

Pure surfing,

[@davidtreichelpppj5304]

Where did you get all that footage....and Photos ? ..... I've know about him for years and years ... but all I ever saw was very short stories and 1 or 2 pictures... This is the collection I was looking for . Thanks

[@michaelpanagiotis7109]

Butchie was RadicaL ! Kimo HoLLinger at the end speaking so reaL abount His Friend . . .

[@markpolinsky5560]

My really good friend who lived @ Windansea for years told me stories of Butch , back in the day.

[@charlesschuster7963]

Ya really pronounce "Kahanamoku" correctly... I only (just sorta) met him in his later days as I pulled a kid in from large Pipe, through the rip, and to the beach. Butch got there, said thanks, but heck I was honored to be recognized. Took a full 8' Pipe set on the head, with the kid panicked and screaming, but all's well that ends well.

[@freddorey]

what a legend

[@SMC4117]

If it wasn’t for surfing… I’d be dead!

[@longlife_surf]

Legend

[@scottfoster3548]

I think I saw him snake Dora at 13:19 HILARIOUS, Da Cat gets it. I love watching the old surf movies JUST to watch Miki Dora and Butch they are easy to pick out in the background

[@wasabiginger6993]

Remember Dora & Fain ... Malibu early 60's ... iconic! So I wondering who he snaked ... was so funny

[@thegentleorchestra]

Love it great doc totally dig it. I have a question about one of the songs you used. It’s a cover of the great Henry Mancini Johnny Mercer Moon River tune. Is that Grant Green doing it?

[@RealSurfStories]

It's Sonny Red

[@thegentleorchestra]

@ thank you 🙏

[@RealSurfStories]

@@thegentleorchestra Thanks Spides! Such an epic tune.

[@lg5683]

I meant Butch and he was nice to us.

[@GaryPalmer-i9t]

Wow so young alcoholism is a sad disease.

[@bobwallace4198]

Butch was the best ,had a lot of hart take care man.

[@SMC4117]

Nobody gets out alive 🤷🏼‍♂️🏄🏼‍♂️

[@lupodisol]

You missed one. Butch was an alcoholic. One time I saw him at Husonn’s in Ensenada, Mexico after drinking too much which would change his personality almost immediately, like a scene with Hemingway in the a scene of the film Midnight in Paris…pissed off for no reason at all saying “does anyone want to FIGHT!!!!” Given this, butch was a fabulous athlete.

[@RealSurfStories]

You definitely didn't watch the video.

[@PeteyBoyCentralCoastJJbros]

🤙🏿🤙🏿🔥

[@JohnDoe-lc9yj]

Military troop trucks did not have keys during this time period.

[@RealSurfStories]

Key, toggle switch, whatever, another classic Butch story

[@fredmitchel1236]

Why be angry and fight....? Weird

[@James-nc2zx]

Thanks TR you rule brother. East Side .

[@bonsummers2657]

Great film on Butch, much appreciated. But, why was he depressed? Over-drinking? Lousy diet? Also, do a film on David Eggers,… and just cover his main surfing years,… with all due respects. It would be great to see more film of him surfing from about 1980, or earlier, to 1990. David's brother could help on that, plus their Dad.

[@RealSurfStories]

Great questions. Over drinking for sure. Eggers story would be a great one, I knew him...another freak SD talent. However, like Butch's, it would be incomplete without the whole story. So many great and super interesting goofy footers came out of there. Todd Martin, Pat Maus and Doug Silva for starters.

[@donkeller1233]

Severe depression isn't a choice.