Lolita Harper Daily Pilot A new wave...

Lolita Harper Daily Pilot

A new wave has come in for professional surfer David Giddings.

He still loves catching a wave but with the birth of his four

children, the carefree Newport Beach resident become interested in

another calling: writing children’s books.

“I would have never written stories if I didn’t have kids,”

Giddings said.

It was the birth of his children that inspired Giddings to

conceive “Harry the Bear.”

Harry the Bear is a friendly, daring, perseverant young bear who

likes tearing it up and catching big air. Harry the Bear is the

character in Giddings’ new children’s books, which the author hopes

will “grow small and grow local,” in the Newport-Mesa surf and skate

community.

His first book, “Harry the Incredible Skateboarding Bear,” which

is written, published and marketed by Giddings, showcases a happy

bear who is bored with fishing and comes across Joey and Gus “tearing

it up” on a half pipe in the forest.

It is full of hip lingo such as “rad,” “grind” and “busting huge

air.” Harry dons a backward cap, recycle T-shirt and shorts, and

always makes sure to wear the proper gear when he “charges down the

ramp.”

The book is dedicated to his children, Joshua, Addison, Haley and

Dylan and his loving wife Audra.

The professional surfer’s life has transformed from one in which

he was traveling all over the world to surf in various competitions

to one in which he coaches basketball, goes on camping trips and

writes children’s books.

Giddings’ son, Addison had a dream one night that he was being

chased by a bear on roller skates. But he wasn’t a mean bear,

Giddings said, he was cool. The concept stuck with Giddings’, who

finally decided to write a book about the bear while surfing.

An action sports character that would connect with young kids,

teach them perseverance and speak in cool vernacular came into his

head while on the water: Harry the Bear. After leaving the beach, he

headed to a coffee shop and wrote the first draft.

Giddings wants to fill the niche of the young demographic, between

the ages of about 4 and 8, he said. He said the book is just the

starting point and hopes to branch out to create accompanying toys

and clothing.

“This is just round one,” he said. “This is such a learning

process and it’s actually a lot of fun.”