Surf City's big kahunas

Today, Townend likes to have control of his intellectual property and owns ActivEmpire, a brand consultancy company that specializes in a whole slew of action sports avenues. The company represents athletes, including Townend's own son, Tosh Townend, who is quickly becoming one of the best street skateboarders in the world. He also worked with Huntington Beach resident Timmy Turner on his film "Second Thoughts," which won Surfer Magazine's Video of the Year in 2004.

He never stops, and doesn't plan to anytime soon. He's working on a graphic novel and continues to freelance for various magazines.

As far as the sport of surfing, Townend sees the future in the big wave surfing of pros like Laird Hamilton.

Meanwhile, he usually sticks to the surf on the north side of the pier. He maintains his humility and just strives to be the best he can be.

"I try to be humble," he said. "I'm just PT."

And a world champ.

4. Robert "Buzz" McKnight Jr., 53,

Favorite surf spot: Tavarua, Fiji

Influenced by: Family and USC

Robert "Buzz" McKnight Jr., chairman and chief executive of Quiksilver Inc., is well known for transforming beach clothing into multimillion-dollar mainstream fashion. McKnight started off selling board shorts along with partner and surf star Jeff Hakman by driving to California surf shops.

The company, originally founded in Australia in 1976, went public in 1986 and since then has included different clothing lines, surf and sport gear, and accessories.

McKnight, an avid surfer himself, has traveled to Sumatra and surfs with the likes of surfing world champ Kelly Slater. He was inducted into Huntington Beach's Surfer's Hall of Fame last year.

A Laguna Beach resident, McKnight has a bachelor's degree in business from USC, which will serve him well as he tried to complete his plan of exporting Orange County beach culture worldwide.

Quiksilver recently moved its headquarters from Costa Mesa to Huntington Beach. The company, which occupies about 700,000 square feet of space in Surf City, bought French ski maker Skis Rossignol last year and has been struggling to incorporate it into the company folds. McKnight plans to launch a clothing line based on Rossignol brand after hitting pay dirt on its popular Roxy brand name for girls.

He is married to Annette and has three children.

5. Andy Verdone, 46, Huntington Beach High School surf coach

Favorite surf spot: Huntington Beach Pier

Influenced by: Peter "PT" Townend