Aussiewahine's Hawaii Updates

Great shots and great reporting again Sue ...you should write for a mag. bummer about the Kona wind...time to go fishing.Is that a PSH 9-2AA leaning on the tree.

Trev could'nt get a starter last night for the midnight paddle , Nathan , Macca, Rosco ect , when I told Belinda no-one wants to come out with me a midnight at Currumbin on the full moon she said "well that proves I'm not the only one that thinks you are a blooy idiot" Maybe next month when the grey suits move off.

If the swell holds Nathan an I are are going to paddle out to Cook Island in the morning and surf the northern side, what are you up to ?

Rob

Hey Rob...I would love to write for a mag and photograph for them. I'm only sorry I didn't bring my big Canon Camera's and long lenses over. Then I could have gotten some really great pics. Especially this weekend as another friend has entered Danny and himself in the Buffalo 4 Man outrigger canoe surfing competition at Makaha. It's forecast over 20 feet faces and for the first time ever Danny seems alittle reluctant. We're still hoping they call the "Eddie" on the North Shore but the Kona winds may ruin it apparently.

The PSH leaning against the tree is a 10'6" I think. Cause the white C4 to the right of it I know is 9'0". I'll take a look at it when we go over next. I just borrowed their C4 Vortice and paddled a Hawaii Kai run by myself. Fun but challenging with no rudder system. Took me 1.5 hrs to the Outrigger Club.

I'm glad you're all enjoying the pics and reports. I wasn't sure whether to do it at first but I'll keep going as I get more interesting stuff.

There are just so many Stand Up boards and paddlers over here. And so many different types of boards. It certainly is becoming a way of life for so many here. Everytime you look out in the water you see at least 5 every time.

Ok after a little research I just discovered that the girl who came 3rd in yesterday's race at Kailua, who I met and talked to, is the same girl who is the first and only female to ever cross the Molokai Channel on a Stand Up Board. She raced last year. There were only 6 solo entrants, 5 being men and she finished the 35 mile race in 8 hrs 54 mins.

I remember last year reading the results and thinking how amazing this girl was to have completed the race. And now I have met her. Her name is Morgan Hoesterey and as we discussed yesterday she works at Wet Feet which is a totally exclusive SUP shop over at Hawaii Kai. I still haven't been in there yet but plan to in the next few days. And I thought I was stoked to have seen Laird at the airport ?? This girl rocks !! I can't wait to ask her all about the race and her experiences. Stay tuned. For those of you who are members of my site, she just joined today. Check out the web site where she works also. www.wetfeethawaii.com

8 hrs 54 minutes.. ...I'm imressed.

Can't wait to hear more about her.

Thanks for the updates Sue.

DJ

Yesterday we went to the North Shore so that Danny could take advantage of the 6-8 foot swell (10-12ft faces) before todays big waves come in at lunch time.

He surfed Lani's (Laniakea) and the break just to the right further out (Holtens). There were about 10 guys out and only Danny on SUP (10'6" PSH). Most of the guys out were over 40 yrs and on big guns. I've only added one pic of the break as it is so far out (400-600 metres) out and my "point & shoot" camera doesn't do it justice. It's a much smaller set than the ones coming in a few hours earlier. But you can just see Danny out on the back wave and a guy on a short board coming off the front wave. The water has been brown for a few weeks now dur to large amoutns of rain and runoff.

He said one wave he took was massive and as he rode along it (a right hander) with his paddle bracing and pushing hard against the wave, he could see a huge thick wall come over his head about 2 feet in front of him. He could hear guys helling out and cheering. Of course I missed it

The 3rd pic is me holding half a board I found while walking along the shore edge looking for beach glass. I saw the guy come out of the water an hour earlier holding the other half.

We are heading out there again today to see the 15-20ft (20-30+ faces) that are forecast for the next few days. Gotta leave soon as they say the traffic is gridlocked by lunchtime all the way along the freeway to the North Shore. There you need to park about 5km away from Waimea/Pipeline and either walk or bike it to the good spots. I don't think they will call "The Eddie" as the wind is apparently not that good and may mess it up and the waves are probably not big enough anyway ??

And it's funny how here on the South Shore the forecast is 0-1.5ft (1ft faces). As I look out the window of our Condo I can count 6 SUP's, 8 OC1's and a tug boat pulling a Container Ship. A beautiful blue sky day !!

Heading Out


Danny out the back on 2nd wave


Amazing what you find while looking for shells & beach glass.


Lani's Beach


Lani's Beach (And the house we stay at while on the North Shore) Just behind the second point there with the palm trees on it is where they film the TV series "Lost".


The End

Thanks Sue.. That's a great map of Oahu and also a great shot of Danny with the PSH board on his shoulder.

DJ

Fantastic shots, that quiver taken at the Volcom House are Bruce Irons!

Keep it coming!

mac

Next year ,we just rock up with Volcom stickers on our boards and bluff our way haha! Good lucky,they would kick our butts back to town!

mac

According to Mel Puu two days ago, the 4 Man Surfing Comp at Makaha may not take place this weekend due to the Big Wave Surf Comp for SUP's which has priority in the events list. It is possible that the event will run this weekend given the current long-range forecast for large to extra-large surf.

The Quiksilver Premium Ku Ikaika Challenge is the world's only big-wave stand-up paddle surfing competition and invites 32 of the world's leading exponents of the sport to compete at Makaha Point, on the West Side of Oahu, Hawaii, on a single day within the holding period (which begins today) when wave face heights reach a minimum of 15 feet.

Invitees to this year's event include Tom Carroll (Australia), Raimana Van Bastolaer (Tahiti), Jamie Mitchell (Australia), Gerry Lopez (Hawaii), Mel Puu (Hawaii), Brian Keaulana (Hawai), and Titus Kinimaka (Hawaii).

So that would would be even better to watch than Danny in a 4 man outrigger surfing 15 ft waves and way less stressful. Stay tuned...

Conditions today are really crappy here on the South side. Howling 25 knot on shore winds. Might be a good day to visit Wet Feet and C4 to pick up the 9'3" Sub Vector for a few days.

Thanks again Sue.. I can't wait to hear about the big wave SUP comp.. Here's a full list of those invited competitors names... Go Robby.. Go Blane..

DJ



INVITEES: (Alphabetical Order)
Kamu Auwae
Kekoa Auwae
Todd Bradley
Tom Carroll
Craig Davidson
Duane DeSoto
Ikaika Kalama
Archie Kalepa
Brian Keaulana
Keone Keaulana
Noland Keaulana
Rusty Keaulana
Leleo Kinimaka
Titus Kinimaka
Gerry Lopez
Jame Mitchell
Robby Naish
Aaron Napoleon
Dave Parmente
Greg Pavao
Bonga Perkins
Mel Puu
Alex Salazar
Raimana Van Bastolaer

TRIALISTS: (Alphabetical Order)
Kamalani Ahue
Bunky Bakutis
Blane Chambers
Scott Chandler
Bruce DeSoto
Cito DeSoto
Darrick Doerner
Keone Downing
Stuart Ferriman
Mike Fox
Lance Hookano
Pat Huber
Reid Inouye
Noah Johnson
Ekolu Kalama
Buzzy Kerbox
Tiare Lawrence
Vitor Marcal
Chris Mauro
Kainoa McGee
Garrett McNamara
Tony Moniz
Leo Nodine
Sam Pai
Chuck Patterson
Skylar Peak
Ned Snow
Jamie Sterling
Kalani Vierra
Liam Wilmott
Kamaki Worthington

Well we're here...Makaha. It's 8.30pm Friday night and it's blowing 30 knots on shore. The ocean is a mess, all the schools were closed today on Oahu due to the winds and heavy rain. No-one out. The boys were with Mel Pu'u this arv and he swares that we'll wake up tomorrow to a complete reversal of wind with approx 10ft waves. The Quiksilver Big Wave SUP may not be on as it may not be big enough and instead maybe a Longboard Comp.

Hanging out with a great group, eating burrito's and drinking beers in a beach side house. No complaints here. Better go charge the camera batteries just in case...

Keep us posted with the comp sue, you are doing an awesome job! and by the way i want to have a paddle on your F16 next time i'm up north!

Ok...3 words..WHAT A DAY !! Unforgettable !! Picture perfect blue sky, 8 - 15ft waves (Hawaiian) which means 20-25ft faces with some reaching 30ft, and a very very friendly crowd. We were honoured to be guests for the day of Mel Pu'u and his beautiful wife MoMi who could not be more welcoming and hospitable. I thank them once again for their warmth and for allowing us to be part of their "Ohana" (family) for the day.

The day consisted of Stand Up Surfing and 4 Man Outrigger Canoe Surfing. Switching between the two disciplines with many of the SUP competitors also playing major roles in the Canoe Surfing. Doubling up all day long right through to the finals of both these extreme sports at Makaha. And you could ride a wave for 500-600 metres from way out the back to the shore which many SUP contestants did no better than Sam Pa'e who managed to come to the beach each time from way outside. I loved watching Sam all day.

What stood out for me today was the welcoming atmosphere and "help all others" attitude that saturated the day. At Makaha you need help. You need friends. You need to be humble and show respect. You need support no matter who you are. The shore dump is "narly" to say the least. The backwash is fantastic and made for some great photo opportunities.

Whenever a canoe came in, which was always nerve racking, men from everywhere came running down to help bring it and the crew to shore safety. There were spills, carnage, and many injuries (canoe surfing). The ambulance was called twice. Two of our crew went to hospital with head injuries and split shins. The lifeguards at Makaha are amazing. They are on the ball and worked their butts off today on jetski's, motorbikes and in the water. They actually ran out of first aid tape and ended up having to use duck tape to patch up the injured. Everyone looks out for everyone and everyone else's kids, wives, boards, canoes, cars etc
Of the 14 Four Man canoe that started the day...9 ended up busted up by the end of the day!!

What was also cool about the competition was that the entry fee for either the SUP or Canoe surfing was to donate "canned food" to the local needy in the community. Quiksilver also fed "everyone" on the beach with a plate of pasta and salad and a bottle of water. And I mean everyone !

So the SUP final was a ripper!! Places as follows:-

1st Kekoa Aunae
2nd Duane DeSoto
3rd Sam Pa'e (I like this guy)
4th Ikaika Kalana
5th Greg Pavao
6th Brian Keaulana

The Canoe Surfing Comp was won by our team steered by Mel Pu'u who truly is the best ever "all round" waterman I have ever seen. This guy is not only one of the best Stand Up Surfers but is probably the best Big Wave Ccanoe Surfing Steerman in the World.

The day ended with Mel on guitar, families all sitting around enjoying the atmosphere, the sunset, the talk and the beer. And yet another bbq under way. What a way of life. What a place. And in 3 weeks time they do it all again for the "Buffalo".

I have taken over 100 photo's today and have only uploaded a "snipett" to give you a taste of the day. Unfortunately this forum is not the place to upload over 100 photo's and I will be loaded most on my site. All the surfing final shots will be loaded over there. Worth seeing. Just give me a day or so to load them all. Alot of you are already members and will no doubt enjoy the photos. For those of you who are not yet members..now is the time to join because you gotta see this day!! See my profile for the web site address. Not trying to take away from this forum Laurie..just not possible to load over 100 photo's.. Hope you enjoy as much as I enjoyed today. What a Day !!

Makaha...


The days heat draw and places...


Finalist Sam Pa'e


Our Camp...


Duane DeSoto


I like this PSH Board...


Our man Aaron off to the hospital...






Nice Quiver...


Ikaika Kalama heads out for the final...


SUP Winner Kekoa Aunae


George Downing & Buffalo Keaulana talking story...


Brada Mel gets an interview...


Tiare Lawrence & Archie waiting to get out for their heat...


Mel heading out for a Semi...


Keoni Downing...


Brian Keaulana...


The Repo and Final Draw...


Finalists from Left..Ikaika Kalama (4th), Sam Pae (3rd), Kekoa Aunea (Winner), Greg Pavao (5th), Duane DeSoto (2nd) and Brian Keaulana's (6th) daughter (Brian injured in Canoe Surfing Final)


A Man of many talents...


The End of a busy day...

Thanks Sue, I have enjoyed this thread. All the background information is great.

Steve

Yes that's John Foti in the background. He was in the canoe surfing comp with Mike Judd also. The lens cap is on as she is showing Danny the shot she took of the wave that cause this injury. **I AM TRYING TO LOAD IT ON THIS SITE BUT AM HAVING TROUBLE. I'LL KEEP TRYING**. The canoe is 20ft long and it fits easily on the wave with room the spare. So the 10 - 15 ft that I mentioned would be Hawaiian. Our friend (who steered this canoe) said the faces were 20-25 with some reaching 30ft.

One thing I forgot to mention was a kid who was in the canoe surfing with his Dad (Aaron) steering. Riggs Napoleon..remember that name!! He is 11 yrs old and was out there amoungst it. Straight after the final and the end of the day's competition he was the first one out there on SUP for the afternoon. This kid is impressive and later I met him and then found out he completed Molokai (32 miles) on SUP 2 years ago in a relay with his Dad ??? 11 Years old !!!

Jaimi Mitchell was not here. You can see who was by the Heat Pic. And next to the names you can see where they came in the ink numbers. Tom Carroll was and came 5th in his heat. These heats were all over by 9am when I got there so I missed seeing alot of these guys.

Also not entered was Chuck Patterson (Winner of the Battle of the Paddle). He was out the day before with Kalani Vierra and had to swim 600 metres to shore to get his board when his leg rope snapped.

SO I'LL KEEP TRYING TO LOAD SOME OF THE SURFING PICS..CHECK BACK !!