Huntington Beach — Hundreds of people line the Huntington Beach Pier as surfers paddle out to form a circle and pay their respects to Sean Collins, 59, of Seal Beach, a pioneering wave and weather forecaster for surfline.com who died Dec. 26 of a heart attack while playing tennis in Newport Beach. Collins is survived by his wife, Daren, and sons Tyler and A.J. Collins.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times

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Huntington Beach — Surfers raise their arms in tribute to Collins, who provided weather and forecasting services not only to big-wave chasers, but to lifeguards, the Coast Guard, the Navy, the National Weather Service, TV and movie production companies, domestic and international governmental agencies and nearly every surf company in the world.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times

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Huntington Beach — A surfer holds a flower in his mouth as he paddles out to join the memorial circle. Collins also directed an exclusive crew of big-wave riders to chase the largest breakers on earth.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times

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Huntington Beach — After paddling out, the surfers circle up in memory of Collins. According to surfline.com, when asked if there was a secret to success that he would want to convey to young surfers, Collins responded: "Really simple things when you think about it. Mostly just follow your passion, try to be a really good person and a good judge of character, and then just surround yourself with a great team and really good people. Add lots of luck, and all kinds of great things can happen."

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times

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Huntington Beach — Collins' sons, A.J., left, and Tyler, stand on a pile of surfboards during the celebration of their father's life.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Los Angeles Times / Los Angeles Times

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Huntington Beach — Wearing a lei, A.J. Collins shares some thoughts about his father.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times

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Huntington Beach CA, USA — Collins' son Tyler, second from left, and Aaron Pai, owner of Huntington Surf and Sport, right, join hundreds of people in prayer before the memorial paddle-out.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times

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Huntington Beach — Daren Collins, Sean's widow, is consoled by friends after being presented with a memorial wreath.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times

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Huntington Beach — Flowers surround the footprints, handprints and message in Collins' square in the Walk of Fame at the Surfers' Hall of Fame, just below his surfline.com office at the corner of Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times

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Huntington Beach — A large photograph of Collins celebrating his induction into the Surfers' Hall of Fame is on display at the memorial.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times

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