Mr Sunset. Photo:Joli

Relatively few surfers have earned the title ‘Mr’ something with a North Shore surf spot after, but Jeff Hakman did just that, becoming known as Mr Sunset from a young age after era-defining North Shore performances executed with a trademark low slung stance. Winner of the Duke contest at 17 and the inaugural Pipemasters in 1971, he was considered the best big wave surfer in the world in the late 60’s early 70’s, winning two more Duke trophies and finishing runner-up to Reno in the ‘74 Smirnoff at Waimea in what was then the biggest surf ever contested. Starting Quiksilver USA with Bob McKnight, and later Quiksilver Europe in 1984 with Harry Hodge, heroin addiction nearly saw Hakman lose everything. Read more about him in the excellent ‘Mr Sunset’ by Phil Jarratt.