Triple Crown Time
Friday - November 03, 2006
| Share
Del.icio.us
Yuki Tako showed no fear in the gauge at Sunset Beach
during the Xcel Pro presented by No Fear
Aloha, surfers and surfettes! We’re surfing deep into fall with plenty advisory level North swells to go around. Although the really big 12-foot surf didn’t materialize earlier this week, we still saw solid 8 feet at Sunset for the first two days of the Xcel Pro presented by No Fear. Now we have just one more day to finish. Then it’s onto the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, beginning Nov. 12 with the OP Pro at Haleiwa! The second Jewel will shine at Sunset Beach for the O’Neill World Cup starting its holding period Nov 24-Dec. 6. The grand finale will be displayed in the death-defying barrels of the Rip Curl Pipeline Masters Dec 8-20. Amazing ... now I know why time and the speed of light are related.
I don’t want to say it, but ... it’s almost Christmas! There, I said it.
Now as I head back to Earth, I want to give big kudos to ACCESSURF.ORG. In the spirit of Duke Kahanamoku they introduce surfing to others. What makes these folks extra-special is that they do this for people who might never dream of surfing: those with disabilities.
AccesSurf Hawaii Inc. is a nonprofit corporation started in March 2006 to provide funding for permanent wheelchair beach mat paths on Hawaii beaches, and adaptive aquatic equipment for the education and advancement of adaptive surfing instruction in Hawaii. Their “mission” is to make Hawaiian beaches more accessible for everyone, to provide therapeutic instruction, and to be an advocate for the disabled in a pursuit of outdoor recreation and leisure opportunities in the beach environment.
It’s such a great idea. The ACCESSURF team provides not only access to the beach and experience of riding waves ... they give access to hope and courage, plus a ton of fun and friendship! Good going! This is the kind of company that will have lasting impact beyond the life of those who started it.
The next couple events? Nov. 4 Adaptive Surfing and Swimming for the disabled at Barbers Point or White Plains Beach, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Everyone and their ohana will be welcomed. Nov. 18, Project Pure Light: Adaptive Paddling of Outrigger Canoes, Kailua Beach Park from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., lunch provided by Pinky’s Restaurant. See you there!
Well, the top two surfers on planet Earth: Slater and Irons are No. 1 and No. 2 respectively.
They’re going ballistic in Brazil before heading to the famed North Shore. Out of the world’s top 12 guys, the USA has seven to Australia’s five. The deal, however, is that No. 3, No. 4 and No. 5 are the ultra talented Taj Burrow, Joel Parkinson and Mick Fanning. Each is a title contender; each has been for many years. The only problem has been the likes of the aforementioned legends at the top.
The Vans Triple Crown promises more than enough to produce heart palpitations. All these surf dudes are starving to go big or go home. Now, every day you’ll know if the Xcel Pro is on or off by calling any SNN hotline: 596-SURF, 596-WAVE, or 638-RUSH ... plus, the SURFNEWSNETWORK web-site.
Are you ready?
See you out there and back here next week in MidWeek!
GQ, dropping in 4 U!
E-mail this story | Print this page | Comments (0) | Archive | RSS Comments (0) |
Most Recent Comment(s):
