Yancy Spencer III – Panama City, FL.
This would have been November or December 1973. Yancy was 23/24 years old. To us younger guys Yancy seemed older – he was the first really famous surfer from Pensacola, actually the entire gulf coast. There were a few guys from Texas who had a photo or two in the Surf Magazines, but I’d say Yancy was the first guy to “own it” as a gulf coast surf star. He really was “that good”, especially in small waves. He had won a major contest on the east coast against competitors from all over the country. He had his own surf shop, and he was partners with Hank Warner in a surfboard company. He certainly had the passion. I’m sure he surfed more waves on the gulf than anybody. He had great style.
This is another great moment captured by Dave Skelton.