‘He Was Such a Legend’: A Decade After His Death, Shawn “Barney” Barron’s Spirit Shines in Colorful Air Show

To mirror Barney’s unconventional style, the show is all about blending creativity and explosive surfing. The energy in the water is matched only by the energy on the cliffs, where spectators, hoot, holler and whistle every wave. This year’s top three performers were Kaikora “Kora” Nauenberg for sticking a tweaked straight air, John Mell for greasing multiple no-hands full rotations on the left from Middle Peak, and Olai Moon, who wore boardshors over his wetsuit while stomping a massive frontside air reverse.

Though Barney passed long before these surfers could land an air, his impact is not lost on the younger generation. "I had such a great time celebrating @shawnbarneybarronart," Kora wrote on Instagram. "He was such a legend and is definitely one of my biggest inspirations!"

Flea grew up with Barney and surfed side by side with his friend around the world. From their West Side lineups to Maverick’s and beyond, they pushed each other and created their bond. During Sunday’s Flea shared a story with the groms about his late friend. The two were in Western Australia for a contest in the late ‘90s. Whether it was the kangaroos or the waves, Barney was a little manic, practically bouncing off the walls. Things got interesting in a congested lineup at The Box. It was pumping, and Barney was so fired up that he paddled past and chirped at Kelly Slater. Then he packed a thick, square nugget that ended up on the August 1996 cover of Surfing Magazine.

“It was really gnarly Box, and he overcame it. It was a funny story, and I liked to tell the groms,” Flea said. But the story underscores a larger point about inclusion and acceptance, and Flea sums it up well. “There are some unique people and everyone has different issues they’re dealing with,” he said. “We really need to embrace them and get to know what they’re going through. Bring it to light, be aware of your friends and what they’re going through.”