Joseph ‘Joe’ Roland was always different from the others. When the surfer started his career in New Orleans, everyone who watched him was taken aback by his ‘goofy-footer’ style, which led him to become the East Coast Surfing Association men’s champion at the mere age of 17. This made him a legend in the community, with his status only increasing every day as he got older.

Tragically, Joseph passed away on November 7th in a bizarre surfing accident. He was found washed up on the shore after heading to the ocean to ride waves. Despite efforts to revive him, he was pronounced dead by the St. John’s County Fire Rescue Team. Joseph was 73 at the time and had already left a lasting legacy in the community. Upon learning of his passing, the community came together to organize a tribute in his honor, celebrating his life and the impact of his work over the years.

Surfing community pays tribute to Joseph Roland

According to First Coast News, members of the surfing community gathered together on November 22nd at the Jacksonville Beach to celebrate the life of Joseph Roland. Many came with flowers and sank them into the ocean, the place where he spent most of his life. Other than surfing, people also knew him for his devotion to God and how he was jovial all the time.

Speaking about him, a man said, “Never forget the smile that he had on his face on everything. You know, he was the epitome of Christian to me. He didn’t have to use words to share the gospel. He lived it.” Thus, it does seem that most people were very fond of him. There’s a very valid reason for him too.

Joseph Roland achieved remarkable success in surfing and left an indelible mark on his community. His multiple Eastern Championships earned him a well-deserved place in the Surfing Hall of Fame in 1998. Known not only for his exceptional talent but also for his striking electric blonde hair, Joseph captivated audiences every time he rode the waves. He will forever remain a significant inspiration to the surfing world, having firmly secured his legacy as a true icon of the sport.

Joseph Roland—a life lived for the love of surfing

Joseph Roland loved surfing and took part in the sport solely because of this. He had a regular job as a computer programmer in Jacksonville, which seems shocking considering his stature in the sport. But, ever since he started riding the waves at the age of 13, he didn’t take the whole thing too seriously.

However, the fact that he had incredible talent it was pretty evident from the start, as the prodigy became the East Coast champion at just 18. On his route to victory, he took down veterans like Gary Propper and Claude Cogden. For this achievement, Surfing magazine wrote glowing words about Joseph in 1968, saying, “There isn’t a surfer in the East who can put his board into a given position on a wave faster or with greater confidence than Joe.”

Joseph didn’t care much for competing professionally and rarely did so after the 1970 World Championships. According to his friend Mike Fogg, Joseph once took the trophy he won at the East Coast Surfing Association Championship—a wooden surfboard with a surfer on it—and removed the surfer. He then added wheels to the board, creating an incredible skateboard. This act symbolized his indifference toward prizes and accolades. What truly mattered to him was his love for surfing—a passion he carried until his final moments on that fateful morning. Joseph Roland exemplifies how to live a life with purpose and passion and will forever be remembered as a legend.