Oates’ family to hold paddle-out ceremony to memorialize teen

On the year anniversary of the death of 14-year-old Huntington Beach resident Danny Oates, friends and family will be out in the water celebrating his life.

At 6 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, Oates’ friends and family will paddle out into the ocean south of Huntington Beach Pier to memorialize the teen. They plan to make a circle with their surfboards, throw flower leis into the circle and talk about the year without Danny, organizers said.

On Aug. 29, 2007, Oates was riding his bicycle on Indianapolis Avenue to pick up his class schedule at Isaac Sowers Middle School when a pickup truck swerved across the road and smashed into him, authorities said. Oates was pronounced dead at the scene.

Driver Jeffrey Woods, Huntington Beach, has pleaded not guilty to vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence, both felonies. Woods is scheduled to appear in court again in October.

— Michael Alexander