Preston "Pete" Peterson, a renowned champion surfer, stuntman, and waterman extraordinaire, was born Francis Preston Peterson on April 14, 1913, in Rockport, Texas. His family relocated to Santa Monica, California, where he began his lifelong passion for the ocean at the tender age of nine in 1922.
Peterson's academic pursuits took a backseat as he dropped out of high school at the age of sixteen in 1929, opting instead to focus on his aquatic endeavors. He started participating in surfing, swimming, and paddleboard competitions in the early 1930s, quickly making a name for himself as a formidable competitor.
Throughout his illustrious career, Peterson won numerous prestigious titles, including the Pacific Coast Surfing Championship (1932, 1936, 1938, & 1941),the Coast Dory Championship (1933 & 1934),the Hermosa Beach One Mile Paddleboard Championship (1934 & 1939),the Santa Monica Lifeguard Swim (1935 & 1936),the West Coast Championships (tandem with Patti Carey in both 1960 & 1962),and the United States Surfing Championships (tandem with Sharon Barker in 1964 & tandem with Barrie Algaw in 1966).
Beyond his competitive exploits, Peterson's impressive résumé includes stints as a City of Santa Monica lifeguard until 1955, a decorated service member in the United States Navy during World War II, and a multifaceted career as a stuntman, bit player, boat master, and marine coordinator in the film and television industry.
Peterson's entrepreneurial spirit led him to design and shape surfboards, build the West Coast's finest surf dories, operate a marine salvage business as a licensed skipper and contractor, and contribute to the development of the rescue tube. His extensive experience and expertise earned him a reputation as one of the most well-rounded and accomplished watermen of his time.
Tragically, Preston "Pete" Peterson passed away at the age of 70 on May 4, 1983, in Los Angeles, California, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and influence generations of surfers, watermen, and enthusiasts around the world.
