In 1968, North Florida surfer Joseph ‘Joe’ Roland burst onto the scene with his unique surfing style. Roland stood out thanks to his ‘goofy-footer’ stance, in which the athlete put his right foot forward. Unfortunately, the pioneer who forever became part of the sport’s history, as the first-ever East Coast Surfing Association men’s champion, met his demise on Thursday, November 7, 2024.

Joe Roland, who became part of East Coast surfing royalty at just 17, passed away at 73 doing what he loved. However, the circumstances of his death remain shrouded in mystery, as the surfer went out to ride the waves earlier that morning. Later that day, people at Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, found Roland washed up on the shore with the surfboard attached to his ankles.

Despite their efforts to revive him with CPR, neither they nor recuse officials who arrived shortly after could revive Roland, as per The St. Augustine Record report. A St. John’s County Fire Rescue spokesman shed further light on the details. They received the distress call at around 8:00 a.m. and arrived to find Roland washed up in the “surf zone“ behind Ponte Vedra Boulevard.

Unfortunately, authorities have yet to determine what happened to the surfing icon that led to his demise. Fellow Florida surfer Mitch Kaufmann who has chronicled the Ponte Vedra surfing scene for decades described the late surfer as the “happiest, nicest, mellowest guy” and a devout Christian. Besides riding the waves, the 73-year-old had also worked as a computer programmer in Jacksonville.

Two-time consecutive East Coast Surfing Association champion by 18 and computer programmer may sound like an unlikely combo. However, it’s important to note that the ECSA Hall of Famer didn’t take competitive surfing too seriously. Growing up in Atlantic Beach, the eldest of four siblings delved into the sport at 13 and became nothing short of a teen prodigy.

Joe Roland won his first East Coast title with an upset victory over more experienced surfers of the day, including Claude Codgen, Gary Propper, and more. He also represented the Stars and Stripes at the 1968 and 1970 World Championships. Unfortunately, the prodigy fell short of becoming a prolific champion.

Was Joe Roland a forgotten surfing legend with untapped potential?

“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,” Surfing Magazine wrote about Roland in 1968. Yet despite his unique style and skill on the surfboard, the athlete rarely competed beyond the 1970 World Championships. The East Coast legend’s friend Mike Fogg revealed how his late buddy didn’t care about fame and accolades.

Mike Fogg recalled how Roland returned from the inaugural East Coast Surfing Association championship with a massive three-foot-tall wooden trophy. The trophy had two parts, one was a surfboard and the other was a surfer on that board. Fogg recalled that instead of preserving the trophy, Roland removed the surfer from the wooden board.

He then fitted wheels on the underside of the board, possibly creating one of the most unique skateboards in the world. “That’s how much he cared about recognition,” said Fogg. Besides becoming inactive in the competitive surfing scene, Roland also developed a love for music. Fogg revealed the retired surfer mastered several instruments, built a home studio, and even performed in worship bands.

It’s clear that while the Hall of Famer surfer was gifted in his craft, he had no interest in pursuing glory. Instead, the retired surfer spent his days doing what he loved. Unfortunately, Joe Roland’s demise has only added to the grief of the surfing community, which is already dealing with the untimely demise of surfers such as Giulia Manfrini, Jorge Alvarado, and others. However, Roland’s local surfing community has already planned to honor the surfing icon in a paddle-out ceremony. Kaufmann revealed that the ceremony will happen once Roland’s family is ready.