Hermosa Beach paddle-out held for legendary skateboarder Jay Adams

Friends and fans of legendary skateboarder Jay Adams gathered at Hermosa Beach Sunday to remember him.

Adams died of a heart attack Thursday while on a surfing vacation in Mexico. He was 53.

As a member of Z-Boys, he's credited with helping transform skateboarding from a simple street pastime into the sport it is today.

But to his followers, he represented much more.

"The whole skateboard culture, surf culture, Southern California beach culture really, he's one of the ones that kind of started what it is now," said Gunner Engstrand, of Hermosa Beach. "It's a horrible loss. We're gonna miss him."

Surfers had a paddle out in honor of Adams, who started out as a surfer.

Adams is survived by his wife and two children.