Sumo Sato, center, is greeted by friends during the Sumo Team Challenge in Huntington Beach on Sunday, October 29, 2017. (Photo by Nick Agro, Orange County Register/SCNG)
By LAYLAN CONNELLY | [email protected] | Orange County Register
A fake long, white beard hung from Rick “Rockin’ Fig’ Fignetti’s chin before he hit the water on the south side of the Huntington Beach Pier, his humorous attempt at resembling his best friend Blaine “Sumo” Sato.
“I’m going to go out there, have some fun and show a little love for Sumo,” he said during the surf contest held in Sato’s honor on Sunday, Oct. 29, to support and raise funds to help the Huntington Beach pastor’s fight with cancer.
The aloha spirit filled the sand and surf with about 80 surfers who hit the water for the Sumo Team Challenge and hundreds more who lined the sand through the day, a gathering filled with laughter – and some tears – under overcast skies.
“It’s unreal,” said Sato, between receiving hugs and well wishes from those who joined. “I’m blown away, this is a dream come true with the community coming together, and bringing everybody together.”
Sato learned he had colon cancer two years ago, which has since spread through his body. Attempts at chemotherapy and radiation have not had the outcome he had hoped for, but despite the struggles, he’s maintained his faith and holds weekly gatherings with his church, H20, at the International Surfing Museum.
Sato – a big, burly Hawaiian with a shaved head and a white beard reaching six inches below his chin – has long been a fixture in the Huntington Beach surfing community.
After years of taking part in the drug scene in Hawaii while growing up, he was approached by a missionary who talked to him about Jesus. Sato said he felt an instant transformation.