Kris Camacho, of Huntington Beach, was known for his big-wave skills, seen here at the Wedge in Newport Beach. Photo by Tom Cozad.
By LAYLAN CONNELLY | Orange County Register
Kris Camacho knew how to go big.
He had no fear or hesitation when it came to charging massive surf. And his heart and smile were as big as his bravery.
Camacho, a well-known surfer from Huntington Beach, was remembered by hundreds of people on Sunday during a paddle-out memorial at the Huntington Beach Pier, where friends and family shared stories about Camacho, who died on Oct. 23 at age 39 after a lifelong battle with type-1 diabetes.
“He was just remembered as a totally humble, polite kid who was a true gentleman and who was pretty much a fearless charger in big waves. And of course, his smile, he had the biggest smile,” said Rick “Rockin Fig” Fignetti, who described Camacho as one of the “groms,” or young surfers, that used to hang out in his surf shop in the 90s. “That’s what everyone is going to miss, his big smile.”