Rest In Peace– Charles Paulden

Last week, the Pleasure Point community suffered a tragic loss with the death of longtime local, Charles “Chuck” Paulden. Paulden taught yoga and Silver Sneakers classes for over forty years at multiple locations around town, including Cabrillo Fitness, Inshape, and 24 Hour Fitness, leaving a positive impact on scores of health-conscious individuals from all corners of town. 

Also known by his alias, “Everyday Chuck,” Paulden was infamous for his daily surfing habit, with Sewer Peak, located at the top of the Point, holding a special place in his heart. With his primary means of transportation being his trusty bicycle, he was easily recognizable in public wearing a dark leather jacket and sweatpants, even at the peak of summer. He was survived by his dear wife, Dawn, who he met all the way back in 1982.

I had the pleasure of calling Paulden a next-door neighbor for the past forty years. Anytime we ran into each other going about our day on Palisades Avenue, I knew I was in for some good conversation. Judging by his cool and calm demeanor, the mindful movements and calming effects of a life built around practicing and teaching yoga served him well.

When he wasn’t surfing or practicing yoga, Paulden enjoyed taking his kayak out for peaceful voyages up and down Moran Lagoon, located a stone’s throw from his back porch. He was also a regular at Gayle’s Bakery, where he and a dedicated crew would link up for lively discussion over coffee and pastries. He was also a champion for the future of Pleasure Point, regularly lending his voice to the cause of de-gentrification.  He saw the sleepy surf neighborhood as an environment worthy of preservation.

Oftentimes, Paulden’s pleas went on deaf ears, but he remained tenacious and steadfast in his efforts, even throwing his name in the ring for a bid as Supervisor at one point. Unfortunately, he was unable to secure the nomination. Despite the loss, Paulden didn’t let that stop his passion for Pleasure Point. He took to the streets, organizing an all-American Fourth of July parade down East Cliff Drive that regularly drew hundreds of patriotic youngsters and their parents.

A number of years ago, Paulden received some sobering news—he had melanoma. After a long and harrowing fight, it seemed that he, with the help of modern medicine, had purged the mutated cells from his body. When his symptoms began to resurface last year, he discovered something that no one should ever have to hear…the cancer had returned, and had spread to his brain. Despite such a prognosis, he stayed the course with his medical team at Stanford Hospital, hoping to beat the odds and clear the cancer for good.

Unfortunately, it soon became clear that Paulden was slowly losing his battle. Seeing the writing on the wall, Dawn, along with Tim Loomis from Ride A Wave and big-wave legend Richard Schmidt, organized a final paddle out for Paulden on Thursday, January 30th. I felt blessed that I was available to help my longtime friend, neighbor and surf chum set out for one last dip in his beloved Pacific Ocean. 

The morning of his paddle out, the skies were dark and the air was chilly, but, as the day progressed, the clouds parted and the sun came out in full force. The water was still icy cold, but incredibly, the water was crystal clear and there wasn’t a ripple on the surface. As he was too weak to walk, we rolled him to the water’s edge in a borrowed beach wheelchair. Surrounded by his friends and loved ones, Paulden beamed as he took in those last sweet rays of sunlight as he floated blissfully. 

Before we turned back to shore, the ocean had one more gift for Paulden. A small seal had noticed our presence and surfaced just feet away from our group. When someone informed Paulden of his presence, the weary surfer still had enough energy to flash a sweet smile. Rest easy, Chuck.

“Imagine being in a perfect body, in a universe of bliss, where you can do anything you wish. Just relax and enjoy a greater sense of well-being, looking forward to the day ahead with a greater sense of enthusiasm.”- Charles Paulden