Above: Grand Opening of Charlie's Sinker Swim in 1980
Charlie Dillon and his Sinker Swim business
Shortly after Friends of Avila Pier (FOAP) began to solicit donations in 2019 we were contacted by members of the family of Charlie Dillon, who had recently lost his battle with cancer. They were encouraging friends and family to donate to FOAP as a way to honor Charlie's memory.
In 1980 Charlie had opened Charlie's Sinker Swim, a bait & tackle / surf shop located across Front Street from the Avila Pier, near where The Sea Barn is today.
His daughter Anna remembers that her dad, a Colorado native, had adopted Avila Beach as his home and he loved the pier. She recalls that before opening his shop each day he would take early morning walks down to the end of the pier and cast crab nets. They would barbecue their daily catch on the beach at night. Anna also remembers many "magical childhood memories," growing up in Avila: The Custom House, great brunches at the San Luis Bay Inn, Finny with the food cart, and the San Luis Yacht Club (Charlie was a member).
Shortly after Friends of Avila Pier (FOAP) began to solicit donations in 2019 we were contacted by members of the family of Charlie Dillon, who had recently lost his battle with cancer. They were encouraging friends and family to donate to FOAP as a way to honor Charlie's memory.
In 1980 Charlie had opened Charlie's Sinker Swim, a bait & tackle / surf shop located across Front Street from the Avila Pier, near where The Sea Barn is today.
His daughter Anna remembers that her dad, a Colorado native, had adopted Avila Beach as his home and he loved the pier. She recalls that before opening his shop each day he would take early morning walks down to the end of the pier and cast crab nets. They would barbecue their daily catch on the beach at night. Anna also remembers many "magical childhood memories," growing up in Avila: The Custom House, great brunches at the San Luis Bay Inn, Finny with the food cart, and the San Luis Yacht Club (Charlie was a member).
Charlie and his children: Anna, Brian and Todd (1980). Note the tank farm on the hill.
She also has ill-fated memories of helping her dad put sandbags in front of his shop in 1983, trying to save Charlie's Sinker Swim from a powerful storm. Sadly, nature was too much for them and several other businesses along Front Street. Charlie's business was destroyed, causing the family to move back to his native Colorado.
Apparently Charlie was as well-liked in Colorado as he was in Avila, because most of the donations FOAP has received in his memory--nearly $4,000 so far--came from Colorado residents!
Friends of Avila Pier will honor Charlie with a plaque on the refurbished pier.
Apparently Charlie was as well-liked in Colorado as he was in Avila, because most of the donations FOAP has received in his memory--nearly $4,000 so far--came from Colorado residents!
Friends of Avila Pier will honor Charlie with a plaque on the refurbished pier.
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