Tribute to Carlos Montejo-South beach surfing great R.I.P

Like so many other young kids growing up on South Beach pier during the 70's and 80's that had dreams of becoming great surfers they knew they had to go to California or Hawai to hit stardom in the world of surfing and that's exactly what Carlos did in 1991 he left to to find bigger waves and a place where he could shine more brightly.Soft spoken ,free spirited with an uncanny ability to befriend the meek down on there luck lost youths of the day Carlos was a one of a kind bohemian.Carlos often took out shark baits on his long board for Rene and the other top shark fishing Kahunas on South Beach pier. As an outstanding surfer who traveled around the world looking for the perfect wave he surfed with world reknowned champions most who called him 'friend' til the very end.Carlos Montoja reached a level of success and fame as a surfing T shirt designer for brand name "Famous" with business partner rocker Travis Barker drummer of Blink 182. Just today I saw his brother Albert whom I had not seen in years and was told that Carlos died of a stroke at the young age of 49.RIP Carlos hope you're riding the perefect wave.

Carlos Montejo(center) and I(right) on South Beach pier 1983

Carlos with Rene ,Nelson and Jd on Bahia Honda bridge -1983

HERE IS A VIDEO THAT BEST TELLS HIS STORY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4cq2H3f ... re=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXOnHhBz ... re=related

Please join F1RST Surf Shop and the Original South Beach Surfing crew in a memorial paddle out for one of South Beach's original crew. Carlos LBL Montejo. Thursday 6:00 p.m. at 1st street in South Beach.

Carlos Montejo was and is one of the most talented, respected and above all most stylish dudes both in and out of the lineup. His positive energy and outlook on life was enjoyed by many. Born and raised in Miami, Florida and eventually making the move to the West Coast Carlos found a home in Newport Beach surfing waves very similar to his home break of South Beach. Whether it be 1' or 6' Carlos could be found in the lineup for hours on end surnbuned and smiliing like a grom on his first surf. Carlos was and always is a true surf grom.

"Carlos was my first shop sponsor for skateboarding at the age of 11 years old for Tropical Surf Shop Bayside, I remember looking up to him, Robert Red Castellanos and Veny Zorilla and just seeing how rad those dudes where working at the local surf shop and gettin' to live the life and be around surfing and skateboarding all day". "Carlos made a huge impact on my life at an early age and was defintiely an influence on my decision to open a surf shop. Carlos made sure to take care of us as family." M. Gamez/Owner F1RST Surf Shop

Carlos Montejo went on to pursue a life in the surf industry and soom become a staple figure at all surf industry events and a well respected member of the surfing community. Helping startup brands such as Travis Barker's Famous Stars & Straps to Young & Reckless, Carlos brought alot of talenet and credibility to any projects he was affiliated with.

Carlos didn't take a moment for granted, and he lived and surfed his life to the fullest. First guy in the water and last guy out. Carlos had more energy that a 13 year old grom.

God bless you Carlos, glad to have been able to call you a friend.

- F1RST

Newport River Jetties Surfer Carlos "L.B.L." Montejo Passes On: RIP
Carlos "LBL" Montejo lived his life doing what he enjoyed... Surfing! He grew up learning how to shred with the "SBU" (South Beach Underground) in Miami before moving out west in the early 90s and making many great friends in his new hometown of Newport Beach. LBL, or "Layback Larry" as he was affectionately referred to, quickly became a fixture in the River Jetties' lineup with his classic headsnaps, his big "devil" grin, and fast fluid style. I immediately saw what a genuine and stoked guy he was and gave him his first surf job when he arrived in California, distributing a local surf 'zine to all the shops. Carlos went on the work in many facets of the surfing industry and beyond, most recently opening his own shop, The Wreck Room, on the famed Main Street in Huntington Beach. He spent much of the last decade traveling the world in search of waves and fun.

We lost Carlos recently to complications associated with a stroke in late August. It was incredibly sudden, sad, and shocking...but we did what all good friends and surfers would do - we held a Paddle Out at his local break (Orange Street) in Newport, followed by a celebration of his life on the beach complete with live music, flower leis, food, booze and surfing legends. (A very special thanks to Hurley for donating the memorial tee shirts!). A second Paddle Out and remembrance took place as well in South Beach, Miami...both were led by his younger brother Oscar Montejo. LBL was an inspiration to all surfers by surfing longer than anyone else. Always! Very few days went by when he did not spend at least three or four hours in the surf, usually with the Froghouse crew and all the west Newport surfers. Carlos will always be remembered as a passionate, cool, and lovable dude. He was a living testament to the mantra, "Surf now, do everything else later!"

R.I.P. LBL. We love you brother.

--Steve Zeldin