Getting some love in Valentine’s surf
Friday - February 22, 2008
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Howzit, surfers!
Rolling past the middle of February was sweet. I mean, how many Valentines treat you to 20-foot waves? There was plenty romancing and dancing out in the deep blue. Waimea Bay was just as pretty as it gets ... I suppose that’s why most surfers preferred expressing their affections there. Talk about a love fest. Waimea was outnumbered about a hundred to one. Oh, well, I guess some spots have all the luck.
There were, however, more than a few lonely outer reefs that got some attention.
Chances are this will be one of our biggest and best of the season. Though we will still see many double to triple (even quadruple) overhead days through March. This week the jet stream (large upper air currents) has marched far past the dateline (180 degrees longitude) to the east in a consolidated flow at about 35-40 degrees latitude, dude. So our “steerer of storms” should keep our hopes alive for a long-lasting relationship into spring. Hope is in the air.
The Quiksilver Edition/C4 Waterman Stand Up Paddle (SUP) Surf event went off the hook on Valentine’s Day in 8-12-foot Makaha Point. When I say they paddled into some whompers, I mean they paddled, literally. It can’t be easy keeping that much board under your feet ... under control ... with a paddle! Normally, surfers like a board to “grip” the surface, allowing them to stabilize. This is why big wave guns are narrow and relatively thin. You want to hold onto the face and not skid. But there they were ... the best SUP dudes around streaming down the blue ocean walls of Makaha ... using the paddle for better carving and leverage.
In the field of 32 surfers, 24 were from here. So it was no surprise to find all four Hawaiian finalists smiling for the cameras. In fourth, Kamu Auwae; third, Ikaika Kalama; second, Keoni Keaulana, and winning it was Aaron Napolean. Every single name here has a ton of mojo and mana. The Hawaiian heritage of world class watermen had shown brightly this Valentine’s Day. Now add the back drop of big, sunny Makaha and West Side aloha ... and you have a classic day for the surf history book.
The IBA (International Bodyboarding Association) Pipe Pro is likely to have just completed as last Tuesday through Thursday had great waves. To be sure, call the hotline 396-3963 and log on at SURFNEWSNETWORK.COM. I’ll have photos and stats. It’s awesome to see body boarding making a comeback. They are every bit the world class athletes of their counterpart board surfers. Excellence is excellence. The best are the best, no matter what the chosen endeavor. To see these guys launch in the heaviest sections of Pipe ... or get so stuffed you can’t see them ... even though you’re looking straight into the tube…is astonishing! This kicks off the 2008 World Bodyboarding Men’s title race. The reigning 2007 champ Ben Player from Australia will be defending. Thanks to Haleiwa’s skate and body board head quarters, Crank n Carve (637-2020), for their support.
The Jeannie Chesser Pro Board fundraiser was a huge success, thanks to the huge support of the surf community. This was a day to witness what friends can do in time of need. I was blown away - especially how hard Mark Cunningham worked. Beau Hodge was there too, working more than the mic at the auction. There were so many jumping into the game. Jeannie Chesser is doing very well and is very blessed. Her cancer seems to be responding well to treatment. She was happy to share her smiles and tears with all who came out. I have some sweet photos in the SNNHAWAII.COM gallery .
Ill see you out in the line up and back here next week.
Special thanks to Gary Miyata for the great shot of those seven surfers dropping in for a little Valentine’s love at Waimea Bay. For more superb action check GaryMSCreations.com
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