Jeff Spencer: Santa Cruz surfing legend | Photo: Chris Klopf

Jeff Spencer, one of the standout surfing icons of the 1980s, has been found dead at West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz, California.

The 49-year-old surfer known for his switch-stance skills lived a troubled life of alcohol and drug abuse and wasn't able to fully recover.

Raised by his grandmother after his father died in a car accident, Jeffrey Scott Spencer was always seen as a warm and kind man.

He was born on April 8, 1963.

The Californian rider was part of the Santa Cruz generation, which included Anthony Ruffo, Richard Schmidt, and Vince Collier.

Spencer's ambidextrousness was an advantage in all kinds of waves.

He was married to Melissa Kreger for 20 years and had two children. Jeff Spencer reconstructed an old house that they lived in for a long time.

In 2008, they parted ways, and Spencer started living in caves near the beach at Mitchell's Cove.

Unfortunately, he couldn't recover from his deep problems.

Jeff Spencer will always be remembered as one of the best surfers ever to come out of Santa Cruz.

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