Finally...............

In February, we got our waves. The month started out looking like the rest of the year with cold windy weather and flat surf. The Monster Pro and Pipeline Bodysurfing Classic was held in such small surf it seemed like there was a contest as to which Pipe contest was the worst in surfing history, the recent WQS was held from Jan 27- Feb 6 or the former Pipemasters WCT event which was held late mid December. I think the Monster was a little better, but not by much and still ended up holding the finals with Off the Wall as an option. It seems pretty ironic that a big power surfer like Pancho Sullivan would win in small surf, but it was certainly a victory for him and a good way to start off the season.

Mike Stewart claimed his 11th victory in the bodysurfing classic which was also held in about 1-3 ft surf.

The very next day however after the contest, we got one of our best swells all year and Pipe was breaking in the solid 10-12 ft range. After that we experienced almost 2 weeks of big Pipe which had periods of total perfection.

It would surge in at moments much bigger than surf reports predicted and catch everyone off guard, but in a good way. It would be 2nd reef and then epic first reef and then there were even just a couple fun small days too in the 3-5 ft range.

In a 3 day span however, people started dropping off like flies. At the dead low tide one day Jason Shibata and Fred Patachia got hurt on the same set or even the same wave. Jason cut his face on the reef, and I still dont really know what happened to Fred, but he couldnt move his leg and had to be carried up the beach. Mark Healy broke his ankle and fractured his knee cap and will be in a wheelchair for a month. Dino Miranda and Wade Tokoro hit the reef pretty good, but are both back in the water already.

Liam and Wakita got hurt, but I dont think it was too bad. A couple younger guys had head injuries, someone else nearly ripped his hand off and sadly, Im sure I'm still leaving a few more out. It was the most injuries Ive ever seen in a day or a week at Pipe. 

On the 17th it was no secret that there would be a bodyboarding contest since the buggers have been here since January waiting for their event, but I have never surfed with so many bodyboarders as this year.

Ben Player clarified that their were 178 entrants into the contest and they could only accept 128 so I guess 50 guys didn't even get to compete. They actually scored some nice waves and perfect conditions for their event.  Though they can be a real pain to surfers sometimes, I always give them props since they are core and are in it for the soul of the sport. None of them get paid much and most of them don't get paid anything. God must like them too since they always seem to get good waves during their event. They had 2 days in the 6-8 ft range and one day inbetween that was about 2-4 occ 5 for the women. Aoi Koike from Japan won the womens and Paulo Barcellos from Brazil took the mens with Hawaii's Jeff Hubbard in 2nd place.

There was one day which was 12-15 ft at Waimea with really great conditions, but still not big enough for the Northshore Tow In Event or Eddie Aikau. The real action seemed to be going down at Phantoms where all the boys were pulling into some big pits.

After that the waves kept coming and even town had a swell with some sets in the 5 ft range with clean conditions. It looks like we will have some solid surf well into early March so at least, maybe the spring will make up for most of winter without the crowds.

A classy benefit was held at Waimea Bay for Defend Oahu Coalition and surfer Jeannie Chesser. The lifeguard association donated $4000 to Jeannie from their charity event earlier in the year. A lot of really cool boards were auctioned off from a Kelly Slater pro model to rock star Eddie Veders board to a longboard shape by Robin Johnsons  with limted edition Primo Beer Fabric. Local vendors also set up shop for the cause. I set up a rack for my company Us Girls, and was accompanied by other local bikini designers Honey Girl Clothing and Pualani Swimwear. Billabong and others were there including Jeannie Chesser with her own line of jewelry and beautiful airbrushed paintings. Red Bull, Primo and local food vendors also donated proceeds; along with several others who gave other items up for auction. It was a great effort put forth from the community.

During the week between a big protest against privatized parking at Ala Moana bowls and a statewide beach access protest lead by Surfrider Foundation the Northshore lost more than half of their roadside parking and therefore; beach access.    It seemed pretty obvious that the state had come overnight and installed No parking signs about every 20-50 from V-Land to Pipeline taking most of our regular roadside parking which is the only parking in most places on the Northshore.

Rocky Point was left with no parking spots at all and besides the inconvienience, it looks terrible. The signs are posted on extensions to make them higher and there are more of them that I think I have ever seen anywhere in one spot.  People outside of the Northshore keep being told that the signs are coming down and noone is getting ticketed, but it seems like I see people getting ticketed everyday and when vigilantes go and knock a few signs down, the state does not hesitate to post them right back up. hmmm.

I guess the whole thing started with homeowners complaining about parked cars which were obstructing their view from entering Kamehameha Highway who now in exchange have people parking on their lawns and driveways because they can't park on the side road anymore. On the positive side however, Governor Linda Lingle seems to be moving forward to purchase Turtle Bay and will be holding a public talk with the community next week.

Speaking of politics; Punahoe graduate Barack Obama is currently leading in his campaign against senator Hilary Clinton. Hawaii's democratic caucus not only voted him in by a landslide, but was said to have had the highest turnout since statehood.

At this point we all have high hopes for a good spring on the Northshore for the surf and for saving our surf.

We had a moon eclipse this month, which was kinda cool, but even better was surfing Pipeline underneath that big full moon the next morning with a pink sky and perfect waves. Hawaii proves to us this February that no matter how bad the season, we will always get a few perfect days.

aloha

Lane Davey