My last update was in March and to be honest the northshore never really came back to life this year. It was a bad season, one of the worst ever no matter who you ask, except for the pros who got the best and only good month all year. After a bad winter and a slow spring however, we have had an extra active summer. In April, small waves started back up in the country and went all the way through the middle of June.
South swells pulsed for almost three months solid. The month of June provided a couple solid south swells which were are as big as anything we've seen in a few years. It was a bit of a bummer that the swells were so southeast, but we are of course still happy with BIG, no matter what direction.
Though June had several days of 4 or 5 foot surf that were virtually empty, July packed in the crowds like never before. I guess the tanking economy has forced surfers who would usually travel, to stay home this year. When the 50 year olds are sitting inside and the guys in their forties are forced into the child section, its packed! Town crowds are not as intense however as what we face during the winter season since the pack consist of people who live here.
No matter who you are or how long you've been surfing, you have probably seen those same guys in the line-up since you started. After 20 years a crowded session in town can be more like a family reunion; some which are a great time, others which end up in a big fight, either way they all mark there place in the albums of our lives. The waves were so good this summer though, most of us were in a pretty good mood, getting along and sharing waves. I have to say I had fun visiting inbetween the inconsistent sets on some of the most crowded days. Its when the waves are junk that we all turn mean.
Surfers surely had the proof to backup their claim that Ala Wai Harbour is not suitable for commericial boating. After protests earlier this year, two boats threatened the lineup in June. One sailboat did not time their way through the channel and almost went over the falls on a close out set and the next swell, a catameran took off on an 8ft wave right near the red buoys where surfers had to bail and dodge the set and the boat. All I can say is if that catameran had not been able to catch the wave it would have been ugly. Jamie Ballinger of Hawaiianwatershots.com has a pretty cool video clip of it on his site. Franko from HawaiianSwell.com also has a great collection of images from this summer's swells.
Looks like the Macys Series at Bowls starting mid August will be something to see. Word has it everybody who is anybody has been down there practicing including Northshore guys like Jamie O Brien and Makua Rothman. They will have to spend some time in that lineup to compete with locals like Randall Pauslon, Davey Boy Gonsalves Derek Lyons. Red Bull is trying to set up a contest at Sandy Beach where people go and vote for surfers they want to represent the North and South shore teams which sounds pretty interesting and rumor has it ESPN is looking to either join with or compete against ASP for a new invitational type surf tour. I think its safe to say contests both locally and globally scored some good sized waves. Matter of fact Huntington Beach got some huge waves for the contest there and Koko Ho who took 5th place at the U.S. Open told me that they had to cancel the event in South Africa because the waves were too big.
Carrisa Moore suggested that one of the airlines was asking her to pay $250 per board on her last trip. So much for making travel accessible in a bad economy? It shouldn't be too much of a roadblock though for Carrissa who recently added Target to her list of mainstream sponsors along with Red Bull and Nike. Thank God someone is taking surfing where it needs to be! Carrissa was out Bowls a lot this summer making the guys step up their game.
Speaking of Randall Paulson, he held the grand opening for Diamondhead Yoga this May. Partnering up with artist Mikey Harrison the duo built a beautiful little studio which offers a variety of Yoga and pilates. The team shows their passion for the environment by being the first to install both green flooring and a new top notch green lighting system. check it out at www.diamondheadyoga.com
Robin Johnston premiered his new video Randoms II at Jazz Mind which was a pretty cool party with a cowboy and Indian theme. Funny how almost all the white people chose to be cowboys; comon now. Anyways, it was a blast and a killer flick which was a breath of fresh air due to its authenticity and underground flavor. Some cryp footage of Phantoms and the Caroline Islands with Robin, his teamriders and Kohl Christensen. Nathan Fletcher also premiered his new movie at Jazz minds this month. Long time Logs surfers; Jamie Irvin Muir married his sweetheart; Natasha Je'Nell Reuter.
The Hawaii Surf Auction was a big hit this year. Randy Rarrick and the gang were able to pull in over $700,000, a good portion of which will go to charity. A board by George Greenough went for $20,000 and I think that was the biggest sale. Props to Randy and others for being such a cornerstone for perpetuating our sport; first he is a major contributor to forming Hawaii's Triple Crown and World Tour, then he pioneers a new outlet for surf culture too ! Mahalo.
Waves have slowed this week, except for east shores which got some swell from hurricane Felicia, but it was not really big enough to wrap into the north or south shores. We will see how fall sets up for this supposed El Nino winter.
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