South Swell Days

Yo, Waves Warriors …

Time is rolling by faster than you can say “surf”! As we head toward May 2005, we’ve had four small south swells already … Stoked! Hopefully this is a good “sign” for the next four months … However, if you’re wondering if it’s possible to “know” if the rest of our summer surf will be based on our last few swells … stop wondering … it isn’t!

Now let’s talk about some good things: First, the T&C Surf Demo Day! You wanna try riding a different style of surfboard you’ve never had the chance to? Who has enough money to buy every board design they’ve fantasized about? Well, the T&C crew has a great idea — come on down to “Kewalos” this Sunday, the 24th, and they’ll let you “demo” from tons of different surfboards for 20 minutes at a time … Just enough time to satisfy your curiosity and maybe even fall madly in love! I like a Good Idea — and this is one! I often recall seeing the Sugihara Ohana (founders of T&C Surf) out riding waves together … watching the kids grow up over so many years … there’s something I love about that, really “living the life” of surfing and family . And you know the saying, “the family that surfs together stays together!” Just don’t drop in on each other … especially Mom and Dad!

Second good thing: you can learn more about Hawaiian legend, Eddie Aikau … KGMB- 9’s Phil Armone produced a one-hour documentary on Eddie’s life with never-beforeseen footage! KCCN FM100’s Billy V narrates. It will air one last time Saturday, April 30, at 9 p.m. Jot it down, this is a Do Not Miss …

Born in Kahalui, Maui, on May 4, 1946, Eddie Aikau was the third of six children. The Aikau family moved to Oahu and the rest is history … Eddie saved countless lives as a lifeguard on the treacherous North Shore and surfed countless hours at Waimea Bay … He would often surf 20-foot days for eight hours straight! Eddie Aikau was creative not only on his surfboard, but on his ukulele, too! He wrote a beautiful song named after the double-hulled canoe Hokule‘a just before the ill-fated 1978 voyage on which he gave his life … His story is amazing and an inspiration for all generations. The Quiksilver Big Wave Invitational held at Waimea Bay has been held in Eddie Aikau’s honor over the past 20 years, a celebration of his aloha, courage, heroism and surfing … Eddie Aikau, Hawaiian Hero …

Last Wave: How important it is to remember. April is … and has been … Tsunami Awareness Month and, as the recent tsunami tragedy in South Asia sharply reminds us, there’s no better time than now to review and prepare. Go to SURFNEWSNETWORK.COM and click on the links to the Hawaii State Civil Defense and other related websites. Don’t wait until a warning has already been issued to get safe and ready!

Mahalo … I’m GQ dropping in for you … see you in the water and back here next issue of MidWeek-the Weekend! Yeah!

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