Born and raised in Hawaii, Fred Hemmings attended Punahou school were he was co- captain of the Honolulu league championship football team in 1964. Hemmings won the Makaha International Surfing Championships,(2x senior and 2x junior) the Peruvian Championships and won the World Surfing championship (Puerto Rico 1968). Hemmings retired from competition and created the first major pro surfing events including the Pipeline Masters, 1971. Along with Randy Rarick he Co founded the first pro surfing circuit operated under the banner of International Professional Surfing. The Pro surfing circuit is now operated by the World surfing league, WSL. Hemmings served as a Republican member of the Hawaii Senate from the 25th District from 2001 to 2011. Hemmings is credited with the founding of Papahanaumokuakea the world largest marine sanctuary created by presidential Executive order by President George W Bush. The NW archipelago was part of Senator Hemmings district. Elected in 2000, he served as Senate Republican Leader from 2002 to 2010. Previously he was a member of the Hawaii House of Representatives from 1984 through 1990.