Downing, of Irish-American background, was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii Territory, where he learned to surf at the age of nine.
[6] With this board, Downing competed in and won the 1954 Makaha International Surfing Championship and appeared in multiple movies.
[4] When he wasn't competing, he accepted a teaching placement at the Outrigger Canoe Club, where he met his future wife, Gildea.
[8] After leaving Outrigger Canoe Club, Downing opened his own surf shop in Kaimuki, which later earned him the Legacy Award from the Hawaii Tourism Authority.
[10] In 2011, Downing was inducted into the Surfers' Hall of Fame alongside Taylor Knox and Chuck Linnen.