Alec Cook “Ace Cool” 1956 – 2015

Alec Cooke Surfing Legend 1956 – 2015

Alec Cook, better know as Ace Cool went night surfing at 20 ft Waimea Bay on the North Shore of Oahu to catch some waves under the full moon by himself. Armed only with a headlamp and glow stick tied to the front of his board, he never returned.  Many might question the sanity of paddling out to Waimea at 20 ft even in the day light let alone after dark, but for a waterman who had been surfing huge waves for over 30 years it was just a good way to avoid the crowds.  Like so many other surfer’s Alek Cooke’s love  of the ocean ran through every vein in his body making Waimea Bay a fitting final resting place.  Alec was know to be a showman and like so many living in the surfing capitol of the world, sought fame and glory.  In Alec Cooke’s way it was by riding huge outer reef waves before anyone else did and claiming it with postcards, poster’s and t-shirts.  News of his disappearance  spread far and wide to all corners of the internet providing him with the fame he sought in life. Alec however was a little different then the rest and was never taken seriously by the “cool, in club”, in the surfing world.  He none the less was an amazing waterman.  He once swam around the island of Oahu over the course of days to bring awareness to Ocean pollution.  Alec Cooke was also an avid competitive bodysurfer who regularly placed in the finals of many a competition at the Pipeline.  He is well deserving of the Quick Silver Water Man’s award, a John Kelly Award and his name on that plaque on the bike path near Jerry’s house.  Only time will tell how cool the surfing world really is….As for me I will always remember him paddling out in his bright orange xcel wetsuit to surf giant waves with the enthusiasm of a puppy and more recently walking his dog before those evening sessions near Chun’s. Catch some waves for all of us, and yes Ace, legends never die.