Champion Surfer Turned Jewel Thief, Killer, and Born Again Christian. The Wild Life of "Murph the Surf"
When native California beach bum Jack Murphy headed to Miami Beach to chase the perfect wave, he ended up finding a life of crime, adventure, prison, and finally redemption.
When Jack Roland Murphy was paroled from a Florida prison in October 1986, it must have seemed like a miracle. Having been found guilty of murder in 1969, he had been sentenced to life in prison with a second life sentence added on top for his role in a robbery.
More commonly known as “Murph the Surf” for his prowess on a longboard, Murphy had started surfing as a young man. Born in Carlsbad, California in 1938, he grew up excelling in sports and academics. He was also an accomplished musician, playing violin in local symphonies.
His home life was strict, with his father acting as a disciplinarian. A childhood friend recalled seeing Murphy’s father slap him in the face for washing dishes too slowly.
Although the Murphy family would relocate to western Pennsylvania in a suburb near Pittsburgh during Mu…