In the '70s, pro surfing wasn't a career option. On the East Coast, it was unheard of. Even though Laine captured the Eastern Surfing Association's Junior Mens' title in 1978, which today is considered a launching pad to the pro tour, he enrolled at Virginia Wesleyan College to pursue a business degree.
During his three-and-a-half years in school, professionalism boomed. In 1979, he drove up to New Jersey for the Grog's Seaside Pro, an IPS event, and nearly took out the current world champion, Rabbit Bartholomew.
It wasn't enough to pull him from class, but when he took fifth in the 1982 Katin, giving him enough capital to take to the road, school was postponed. There weren't many full-timers on the tour and no East Coasters.
The next year made school a distant memory. A win in the Op Atlantic City, seconds at Bells and the World Cup at Sunset and a third at the Op in Huntington established Laine as an all-around performer and left him ranked ninth in the world at year's end. On tour he was known as a prankster, a neat freak and a ravenous eater.
His small wave feats, considering his size, were unthinkable. Giants can't grovel, but growing up in mushy Virginia Beach had its advantages. His size translated even better in big surf, where his Kahanamoku-esque paddling ability was showcased, and his best was yet to come. Determined to conquer Hawaii, he spent every winter since 1976 in the Islands and stood out at Sunset, Backdoor and Waimea. In the 1985 Spur Steakranch event in 12- to 15-foot surf at Durban's Outer Kom, Laine again claimed victory, ensuring him a third Top 16 finish.
Laine remained on tour until 1988, when he took a rep position at home in Virginia Beach. Although he's settled down with wife Sara and their first child, Wes Jr., Laine still makes the annual trek to the North Shore and remains a standout at sizable Backdoor and Off-the-Wall. And while Laine's true alma mater will always remain hazy to the masses, no Right Coast pro will ever forget him for making their World Tour dream a reality. -- Jason Borte, October 2000
