Monster March

Gary Kewley
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Friday - March 12, 2005
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Howzit surfers … beachgoers?!

What a month of March already … and we’re not even halfway through as of this printing! The sheer size of surf the first 10 days has hit the “rarerealm” … happening once every 10 years average! My good surf buddy and surf forecast “freak” (this term is a compliment in surf lingo), Pat Caldwell, has March records revealing only the years 1974, 1983, 1984 and 2000 that claimed the GIANT category … meaning extensive outer reef action and Waimea Bay material! Well crew, we’re in with the “Giants” for March 2005 … I love it!

As of this writing, we may have a North Shore Tow-In Surfing Champion … This inaugural event tried to get going with some GIANT ONES in January. However, Mother Ocean had other plans … the contest had to be cancelled. The contestants got washed out with a serious rain-wind storm that literally blinded them as they towed into 20-25-foot Mackers off Haleiwa Harbor’s outer reefs. As if 25- foot waves weren’t enough … geez.

By the way, a woman, Malia Kamisugi, surfed in the North Shore Tow-In Surfing Championships … and, she caught one of the largest set waves … watch out, guys, the women are coming!


Emilia Perry practices for the T&C at Pipeline

Which leads me to the next wave: The T&C SURF WOMEN’S PIPELINE CHAMPIONSHIP! This is history-makin’ stuff … The first ever of its kind. If you missed Blue Crush, the movie, then come see the real thing! The holding period is March 11-16 … call 596-SURF or 596- WAVE to know if it’s “ON or OFF” … My surf hat is off to Banzai Betty and the Pipegirlz for “going for it!” Good luck, ladies … and good barrels!

Now, let’s surf a couple “success waves” again … If you “really missed it” … Hawaii’s own Pancho Sullivan won the Monster Energy Pipeline Pro Feb. 24 in exceptionally dangerous 6-8-foot tubes … Now $10K richer and world ranked No. 6 on the World Qualifying Series … Congrats, Pancho! I remember you bussin’ tables at Chuck’s Steakhouse Mililani about 15 years ago with the dreams you’re living today!

Finally, what about our kids on Kauai? The Garden Isle has been known to produce some talent … Does Andy or Bruce Irons ring a bell? How ’bout three World Titles, several Pipe Masters and a Quiksilver/Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational victory? Well, all our heroes start somewhere … as young “unknowns” … I’m betting we’ll see more from Kauai in our lifetime. One reason for this is their deep roots of extended “Surf Ohana.” Want proof? About three weeks ago, the “Andy and Bruce Irons Surf Classic” was held for the fourth year at Pinetrees, a surf spot at Hanalei … Chu-got 124 frothing grommets with autographed T’s by Andy and Bruce … A free backpack for each contestant … and who said there were “no free lunches”? Sebastian Ziets (great name, great kid) won the Invitational division … but I bet with Andy Melamund at the mic, Nelson Togiaka at the helm and the Brothers Irons to inspire … all came out winners in the end!

I’m “GQ” droppin’ in … See you in the water back here next week…Pau

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