Legendary Hawaiian shaper Ben Aipa passed away yesterday, January 15, 2021, at the age of 78 due to complications related to a stroke he suffered and Alzheimer's disease, his son, former pro and now shaper, Akila, reported on his Instagram.

“I will remember my father as a father, surfer, shaper, designer, athlete, friend, mentor and grandfather. Thank you for loving and mentoring so many generations of surfers in competition and more importantly, in life,” Akila wrote.

“Your contributions to our sport and industry left a legacy to all the people you shared, helped and inspired. I love you, dad. Give a big hug to grandma, grandpa and aunt, aloha,” his son added.

The son's intention is to have his ashes scattered at Ala Moana Bowls on August 17, when he would have turned 79.

“I hope that we can get through the pandemic and that everyone who wants to can come,” Akila Aipa concluded her message.

According to the Encyclopedia of Surfing, Aipa was a giant Hawaiian, weighing more than 110 kilos. Gerry Lopez once said that if he was riding a wave, no one looked at it, it was his.

He had more than one good result in the most respected events of the moment, such as the Duke or the Makaha, but immediately after surfing well he started shaping and stood out.

He made Fred Hemmings' world champion board in 1968, invented the swallow tail and Stinger Tail.

He also worked as a coach for surfers such as Sunny Garcia, Brad Gerlach, Kalani Robb and the Irons brothers.