Jimmy touched so many lives in his time with us. In the past year we have loved to hear and share the stories that keep Jim in our hearts and in our souls. Please email us your stories and thoughts and we will post them on the Friends page for others to read. A classic surf story, a travel experience, a great surf lesson, a raging party story- all are welcome. It is these stories that we can keep our connections strong.
Please leave a comment at the bottom of the page.
Sep 28th, 2009 :
Whenever anyone asks me how I became a surfer I tell them all all about my hero and legend Jim Miller. I wouldn’t be able to follow my dream if it wasn’t for Jim and his unbelievable passion towards surfing. I, along with my friends, have unforgettable memories of Junior Lifeguards, Jalama, and the Pure Surfing Experience contests. Jim was the epitome of who a surfer is. He continually portrayed soul, love, and an uncanny sharing of the ocean. I can’t tell how much I miss him and think of him. Right now I am in England and I take a photo of him to every country I go to. I know he is here in spirit and every time I get one of those waves of a lifetime I look up and say thanks to him and my brother. So celebrate the life that he gave all of us for me please!!!
Sep 28th, 2009 :
On a Friday morning, just a few weeks ago, Sue and I saw first hand right here in Manhattan Beach a shining example of what St. Paul was talking about in that passage, where suffering produced endurance and endurance produced character, and character produced hope, and where hope did not disappoint and where all of this was the product of people living for ideals beyond themselves. We watched orphans, minority kids who had been shuttled from foster home to foster home, kids who had forgotten how to smile, have the time of their lives, grinning from ear to ear, as a corps of local instructors put them in wetsuits and took them into the ocean at Rosecrans Ave and spent the entire morning teaching how to board surf as part of the ongoing charitable activities of the Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation.
In this example of St. Paul’s words come to life, the suffering had come as a result of the untimely death a year ago of Jimmy Miller, a young man of many talents who had an abiding love of the ocean; the endurance had come from the ongoing efforts of his family and many friends to get past this tragedy; the character was demonstrated by the maturity of the many people who donated their time to establish a memorial Fund and to carry out its objectives. On that morning at Rosecrans Beach we saw folks from many walks of life, from commercial real estate brokers to physical therapists, yes even a lawyer or two, give of their time freely to instruct these orphaned kids and to see that they had a quality, positive experience. The hope came from the wish these children would come away with a better self-image and a feeling that true happiness was not beyond their reach. By the excited looks on all their faces, it was clear that hope did not disappoint.
Apr 29th, 2010 :
I stumbled upon Jim’s website early last year and had the privilege to talk to Jim about possibly attending his Surf Camp with my sons. The Surf Camp hasn’t’t happened yet, but it will when my little guy gets a little bigger. I could tell Jim was a special kind of a guy from just one brief conversation with him. He returned my voice mail message from the top of a mountain while he was on a ski vacation in the spring of 2004. I thought it was pretty cool of him. We had a great conversation. I never met Jim, but from all indications I know he was a unique individual that lived life to its fullest until mental illness overcame him. A real tragedy, but he left a wonderful legacy for all of those he’s touched. I can’t help but feel a sense of kinship to Jim since I surfed a lot as a young man, still lust for adventure and I’m a foster parent for kids in the St. Louis area. Kids are definitely special and I believe Jim’s foundation will truly help kids out through a surfing experience. I’m sure each kid will never forget their CampSurf experience. I only hope that I help out some kid so they can get their first “ride”. Kids will love experiencing one of nature’s true marvels. . Keep the faith and keep up the good work you’re doing for Jim and the kids.
Apr 29th, 2010 :
I met Jimmy in late 2001, wanting to take up surfing again after recently moving to California. He met me at Rosecrans, and I still vividly remember those first few moments. Rock music was blaring from his red suburban; he was dressed in trunks, a sweatshirt, wearing a knit cap and full beard, and he was singing along; totally stoked to be in that moment… Several lessons later, we were heading into the water together; he would introduce me to friends, trying to make me feel comfortable with the locals. We alternated later sessions with impromptu bbq’s at his house, playing Transworld Surf on his XBox, sipping chamomile tea, laughing as I tried to ride the Cosmic, finger painting in every imaginable shade of blue, and just laying on the beach, suited up, but too engrossed in conversation to get wet. These moments with Jimmy were some of the best shared moments of my life. He was such a sensitive, passionate, fun-loving guy. An immensely talented teacher and mentor. And a super, super person, by all accounts. I have missed him and his friendship terribly, as with everyone who knew him, but feel inspired with the Jimmy Miller Foundation, which was founded by his family and close friends. I wish you all the best of luck in this venture… and may anyone who benefits from the memory of Jimmy live the dream!
Nov 5th, 2010 :
Original Message sent by Michel Paez – Translation below:
Sorry, please translate this history to english. I am spanish friend from San Sebastian
Me he encontrado con Jim despúes de 20 años a través de facebook y me ha impactado mucho su muerte. Yo conocí a Jim en San Sebastian, compartimos casa durante un año. Éramos jovenes, y con el corazón fresco y sin heridas. A pesar de nuestras diferencias culturales enseguida forjamos una buena amistad, con Jim esto era muy fácil. Era costumbre salir los jueves por la noche de fiesta. Me acuerdo una noche en que yo estaba abatido y no me encontraba con ánimo para salir. Jim apareció en la cocina con una espectacular camisa hawaiana y con su enorme sonrisa. Yo le dije: Jim recuerda que la fiesta de hoy es una fiesta universitaria “grunch” de tipos con pantalones rotos que fuman hierba. Ah ! está bien, dijo. Volvió a su habitación y al poco apareció con otra camisa hawaiana para mi. ¿Pretendes que me ponga eso?. Al final me convenció para salir, y con aquella camisa !! un heavymetalero como yo. Aquella noche fue increible. La estrategia de Jim era conocer al máximo número de gente posible, colarse en cualquier fiesta y hacer amigos. A mi me gustaba una chica, pero no me hacía mucho caso. Aquella noche si, después estuve 10 años con ella. Todo por Jim. Su corazón era libre y estaba lleno de luz y brillaba allá por donde iba.
Recuerdo una tarde fria y gris, llovía y hacía mucho viento. Vi una melena rubia que se movía por las olas, muy cerca de las rocas, en playa de Gros. Alguien dijo ¡ese tipo se está jugando la vida!. Era Jim, vi su mochila en la arena. Yo no entiendo nada de surf, pero me pareció una dura lucha contra el mar que se empeñaba en derribarlo una y otra vez. Jim hacía cosas imposibles, cuando parecía que el mar se lo había tragado, surgía otra vez su pelo amarillo de entre la espuma a toda velocidad. Me pareció que estaba loco. Me fui a casa. Jim apareció varias horas depués. Estaba cansado, destrozado, el mar lo había machacado bien, apenas tuvo fuerzas para acostarse. Ron que era el otro compañero de piso, y que también era surfero, me comentó: “Jim es un surfista exepcional, puede ser una estrella del surf si se lo propone”. Entonces comprendí lo que significaba el surf para Jim.
De todas las cosas que viví con él, me quedo con su sentido de la amistad, y la alegría y la vitalidad que desprendía. Allá donde estes Jim siempre te recordaré. AMIGO.
Translation to English
After 20 years I find myself with JIm via Facebook, and his passing has impacted me deeply. I met JIm in San Sebastian, and we shared a house for a year. We were young, with fresh, unharmed hearts. We became good friends in spite of our cultural differences: with Jim this was very easy to do. We used to go out partying on Thursday nights. I recall one evening when I was very tired and no desire to go out. Jim appeared in the kitchen wearing a spectacular Hawaiian shirt and his huge smile. I told him “Jim, remember, this is a university party where everyone will be dressed “grunge” style (torn pants, etc) , and smoking weed. “Cool”, he replied, disappeared for a moment, and suddenly reappeared with another loud Hawaiian shirt for me. “You expect me to where that thing?” I asked. He finally convinced me to put it on and wear it to the gig. I’m a “metal head”, and this was not my type of clothing by any means. Anyway, we had an incredible time that night! His strategy was to meet as many people as possible, go to parties and make friends. There was a girl that I really liked, but she didn’t pay much attention to me, but after that night at the party, I ended up spending the next 10 years of my life with her! This is all because of JIm! His heart was free and full of light, making him shine wherever he went.
I recall a cold, gray, rainy windy afternoon at a beach called Gros: I saw a blonde dude playing in the big surf, very near the rocks. Someone said “That guy is risking his life out there”. It was Jim. I saw his backpack on the shore. I knew nothing about surfing, but it seemed to me like he was having a heavy battle against the ocean as he took one wave after the other on the head. Jim did impossible things, and when seemed as though the ocean had swallowed him whole, that blond head of his appeared between the white water, and at full speed. I thought that he was totally crazy. I went home. Jim showed up several hours later. He was dead tired, beaten down, and had just enough strength to get into bed and crash. Ron, our other roommate who also surfed, commented: “Jim is an exceptional surfer, and could be a surf star if he wanted to.” It was then that I really “got” what surfing meant to Jim. Of everything that I lived and experienced with Jim, what really sticks is his sense of friendship, and the joy and vitality that he radiated. Wherever you are, JIm, I will always remember you. FRIEND!
Jul 26th, 2011 :
today i had the honor of spending time with my fellow wounded warriors and my new friends at the foundation. i saw the world in a brand new way this morning. i dont know how to thank all of you who helped make it possible. i still cant believe i saw dolphins swimming in front of me! with help i caught a really cool wave that i will never forget. i was pretty intimidated at first by all of the waves and power of the ocean but after our break and talks i couldnt wait to get back out and i just wanted more and more. it was such a special day for me it was spiritual. thank you all so much from the bottom of my heart.
