Freesurf May 2013 by Freesurf Magazine

Volume 10 Number 5

MADE

the Wahine issue Carissa Moore Photo: Jason Kenworthy

i n H a w a ii

Free Parking

Kelia Moniz shares in an ocean dance that is centuries old, a graceful prelude into this monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s issue - itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all about the wahines. Photo: Tim McKenna / Roxy

Departments

Features

Free Parking

Kelia Moniz

Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Note

Aperture

Cover Story

Girl Empowered

News & Events

Environment

The Inside

She Rips

Industry Notes

Last Look

With a smile and a wave

A celebration

Behind the barrel

ISA World Masters, Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pipe Pro...

Sister, The Champ

Action packed and easy on the eyes

Five of the finest

Reef depletion

Bikini opinions, the beach roamer

Brianna Cope

Keeping you in the know

A shot of gold

Monyca Byrne-Wickey Photo: Scott Soens / Roxy

A. Munoz / Red Bull Photo Files

Editor’s Note

This issue we celebrate the girls. The longboarders, shortboarders, competitors, and free surfers. The role models, students, career women, moms, and weekend warriors. The ocean loving, fun loving, water inspired wahines. And what better way to begin than with an Editor’s Note debut from yours truly. While I may not be in the water as much as my partnerin-crime Chris, I can still produce a bit of relevancy for all you Freesurf fans out there. We’ve seen women’s surfing radically change in the past decade, with a blend of strength and femininity emerging out of confidence and talent. This wahine issue gives esteem to all the women who have made the surf scene what it is today, and Freesurf highlights some of the cream. Reaching beyond just the competitive factor of the sport, female surfers today are able to utilize their flair, beauty, and smarts to stay successful in the industry. And all while still maintaining their passion

to surf. Not only can women make surfing their career, but also a friendly pastime, a way to stay connected, and most importantly, a lifestyle. We have designed these pages to give some well-deserved recognition to the female achievers and to say thanks for sharing the softer side of wave sliding. We sync up with current ASP Women’s World Longboard champion Kelia Moniz, the Sister who is making waves and creating a personality as a well-rounded woman in the biz. Traveling the world for work and waves, Kelia will be home for summer, gracing Waikiki in June for the Roxy Waikiki Classic. An ideal display of what makes summertime so enticing, we’ll see Sister along with other ladies surf the beautiful south shore conditions under Hawaiian skies. Also making ripples into waves this issue are a handful of talented role models that each share something powerful. These females open up about life, their careers, and what’s most important to them. So if you’ve ever wondered what’s behind a powerhouse like

Triple Crown and ASP Hawaii Administrator Faith Wenzl, you’ll be charmed with these illustrations. Staying on track, our Aperture section shows off a colorful display of girls in the water and on the waves, not to mention a wrap up of the Womens Pipe Pro. Just a brief mention of what’s to follow in this issue, I hope you enjoy reading the contents as much as we enjoyed putting it together. I’d also like to send out a huge congratulations to Team Hawaii for their incredible performance at the ISA World Masters Surfing Championships in Montañita, Ecuador. More on this event and Hawaii’s 1st place win to come in our next issue; so don’t forget to pick one up! Before I bow out, I’d like to leave you with one final thought. There is a balance to every aspect in life and females, just as much as males help to create it. So share the fun and enjoy the bounty of the ocean. - Lauren Shanahan Managing Editor

Jason Kenworthy Editorial Publisher: Mike Latronic Managing Editor: Lauren Shanahan Editor -at- Large : Chris Latronic Staff Photographers : Tony Heff, Tyler Rock, Mike Latronic, Taylor Ivison, Chris Latronic Art Director : John Weaver Multimedia Director : Tyler Rock Free Thinker : Tiffany Foyle, Jericho Rell Office Manager: Amy Withrow Contributing Photographers Eric Baeseman (Outbluffum.com), Paulo Barcellos, Brian Bielmann, John Bilderback, Kyle Burnett, Ryan Craig, Quincy Dein, Brooke Dombroski, DoomaPhoto, Paul Fisher, Pete Frieden, Bryce Johnson, Ha'a Keaulana, Ehitu Keeling, Jason Kenworthy, Kin Kimoto, Laserwolf, Bruno Lemos, ManaPhoto, Tim McKenna, Dave “Nelly” Nelson, Zak Noyle, Sean Reilly, Sebastian Rojas, Jim Russi, Epes Sargent, Lauren Shanahan, Jason Shibata, Batel Shimi, Scott Soens, Spencer Suitt, Bill Taylor, Wyatt Tillotson, Patrick Vieira, Jessica Wertheim, Peter Joli Wilson Sales Advertising Executive : Shaun Lopez, Maile Botelho, Natasha Briley Business Coordinator : Cora Sanchez Advertising Inquiries Manuele Inc. info@freesurfmagazine.com 808-638-7395 www.freesurfmagazine.com FREESURF MAGAZINE is distributed at all Jamba Juice locations, most fine surf shops and select specialty stores throughout Hawai‘i. You can also pick up FREESURF on the mainland at Barnes & Noble and Borders bookstores and select newsstands. Ask for it by name at your local surf shop!

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Cover Story

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A. Munoz / Red Bull Photo Files

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Waikiki and absolutely destroying it. She had everybody watching as she ripped, saying things like “she’ll be a world champion someday” or “she’s gonna change women’s surfing forever”. Even, “she rips harder than most the boys.” Those statements couldn’t have been more accurate. Carissa Moore is on fire… Again! Tormenting the other ladies on tour and making men whimper should they dare call her a ‘gurfer.’ Her performance at the Rip Curl Pro Bells was heroic by the standards of any race or sex or genome. To put carves like that into perfect harmony with one of Mother Nature’s greatest waves, that powerful resonance emanates around the world. Now she’s all grown up, winning world titles, doing 360 airs, and getting insanely perfect barrels. This barrel was captured at a secret spot during Carissa’s latest adventure shortly after they concluded Bells Beach WCT event. Calm and under control, it seems like Carissa Moore is at the top of her game, navigating through gaping right hand tubes and flowing that momentum into the next challenge. She’s fighting toward a 2nd world title against a feisty field of savvy hitters that are also looking to progress the competitive edge. Will Carissa’s strong prowess and determination prevail? Or will a Tyler Wright or Courtney Conlogue step in for the challenge? We also can’t forget Stephanie Gilmore- her knack for winning hasn’t seized either. Whatever scenario, it is going to be an epic battle to overcome. Carissa Moore has a plan of her own and from what history has taught us, we know that it’s not losing… But one thing is for sure, when it’s all over people will be saying, “I told ya so.” -Chris Latronic

ISA / Tweddle

ISA / Rommel Gonzales ISA / Tweddle

ISA / Rommel Gonzales

News & Events

2013 ISA World Masters Surfing Championship in Ecuador In its second adventurous journey to the International Surfing Association’s World Masters Surfing Championships, the Hawaii Team descended upon the exquisite right-hand point break of Moñtanita in the South American republic of Ecuador. The waves were on and so was the action. There was a live web feed and Oceanic Time Warner channel 250 (The Surf Channel) also streamed the event for big screen accessibility right at home. I turned on the TV and HEY! I’m in Ecuador! In an action-packed Grand Masters (over 40) Final, Sunny Garcia (HAW) defended his 2012 gold medal, scoring an impressive 17.08 and defeating silver medalist Marcelo Alves (BRA, 10.66). Following in Bronze was Love Hodel (HAW, 10.50), and Copper Medalist was Dean Randazzo (USA, 10.27). Hawaii’s Mike Latronic, who also reached the Finals through the Repecharge, won the Kahuna (over 45) division. In the Final, the Hawaii surfer scored a heat total of 12.90, earning the gold medal, defeating silver medalist Andre Malherbe (ZAF, 11.34), bronze medalist Jojo de Olivenca (BRA, 10.04) and copper medalist Ricky Schaffer (USA, 6.43). In a very close Final, Layne Beachley came out victorious with 13.76, defeating Heather Clark (ZAF, 13.67), Andrea Lopes (BRA, 12.96) and Rochelle Ballard (HAW, 11.60). Greg Emslie from South Africa is the new ISA Masters (over 35) World Champion. Emslie was unstoppable in the Final with a near-perfect total heat score of 19.46. In second, Kalani Robb (HAW, 14.50) won the silver medal, Magnum Martinez placed third for the bronze (VEN, 12.83), and Sunny Garcia, surfing down an age group, (HAW, 12.30) placed fourth, winning the copper medal.

Team Australia won the ISA Aloha Cup showing great strategy and teamwork defeating Venezuela, in second place, Brazil in third and Hawaii in fourth.

Overall Team Results Hawaii- Eduardo Arena Perpetual Team Trophy, Gold South Africa- Silver USA- Bronze Brazil- Copper Masters Greg Emslie (ZAF), Gold Kalani Robb (HAW), Silver Magnum Martinez (VEN), Bronze Sunny Garcia (HAW), Copper

Kahuna Mike Latronic (HAW), Gold Andre Malherbe (ZAF), Silver Jojo de Olivenca (BRA), Bronze Ricky Schaffer (USA), Copper

Women’s Masters Layne Beachley (AUS), Gold Heather Clark (ZAF), Silver Andrea Lopes (BRA), Bronze Rochelle Ballard (HAW), Copper

Grand Kahuna: Chris Knutsen (ZAF), Gold Craig Schieber (CRC), Silver Allen Sarlo (USA), Bronze Eric Graciet (FRA), Copper

Grand Masters Sunny Garcia (HAW), Gold Marcelo Alves (BRA), Silver Love Hodel (HAW), Bronze Dean Randazzo (USA), Copper

Aloha Cup Australia, Gold Medal and winner of the ISA Aloha Cup Trophy Venezuela, Silver Brazil, Bronze Hawaii, Copper

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News & Events

Chris Latronic

Dax McGill

Pipeline Womens Pro Wrap-up By Tiffany Foyle The 2013 Surf n Sea Pipeline Womens Pro presented by San Lorenzo Bikinis went by in a flash, running the first day of the holding period but not getting the forecasted waves contestants were hoping for. The event featured a Womens open, Womens rated Bodyboard and Womens Open Longboard and ASP Junior Womens Pro. Contest organizer Betty Depolito shared her permit with the ASP Jr. Mens Pro, which also ran. The waves were 3-6 feet, so no “real Pipe” was had, but Depolito points out that the goal is to get 6-8 feet as most of the girls don’t want to surf Pipe at 10 feet. “This isn’t about surfing Pipe like the guys do, it’s about equal access however it flows for the women,” she explains. “Pipeline is that important of a place where they need to have access to it. There are girls who want to be pro athletes and that’s my goal is to just do my tiny part and give the girls a contest at Pipe, which is a good venue for sponsors to watch since it’s so close to the beach. It can help their visibility and help them chase their dreams of going pro.” Depolito adds that since Pipe is different than anything else out there she wants females to be able to try it. “If they want to go sit on the shoulder with no one else bugging them, that’s fine too,” she maintains. 18

About 60 competitors surfed in this year’s event, with Melanie Bartels making the finals in both shortboarding and bodyboarding. Last year Bartels won the longboard contest. Karla Costa Taylor had a Perfect 10 wave, which won her the title in bodyboarding. The shortboard finals saw Anastasia Ashley, Tatiana Weston-Webb, Frankie Harrer, Brianna Cope, Dax McGill and Melanie Bartels. North Shore’s Dax McGill, 15, took first by being consistent in every heat, focusing on the lefts and chasing some coverups. Yokohama native Izumi Baldwin had a smooth and stylish performance to achieve victory in the longboard division. www.pipelinewomenspro.com

Chris Latronic

Banzai Betties

Melanie Bartels

Tatiana Weston-Webb

Pipeline Womens Pro Results Shortboard 1. Dax McGill 2. Anastasia Ashley 3. Tatiana Weston-Webb 4. Frankie Harrer 5. Brianna Cope 6. Melanie Bartels Longboard 1. Izumi Baldwin 2. Maili Inos Brennegan Bodyboard 1. Karla Costa Taylor 2. Minami Hatakeyama 3. Aoi Koike 4. Asako Shiotsuki 5. Melanie Bartels Womens Pipe Pro Junior 1. Dax McGill 2. Brianna Cope 3. Bailey Nage 4. Tatiana Weston-Webb

COLLECTION w w w. d r a g o n a l l i a n c e . c o m

SHANE DORIAN | THE JAM

NEW FOR 2013

Bells

ASP / Kirstin

News & Events

Carissa Moore

ASP / Kirstin

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach 2013 On April 1, 2013, Hawaii-born 20-year old Carissa Moore won the 2013 Rip Curl Women’s Pro over aussie Tyler Wright. The waves were an epic clean three-to-five foot with a full capacity crowd at Bells Beach. This win propels the young Hawaiian into the lead on the ASP Women’s World Championship Tour ratings for the first time in over a year. As for the men, Adriano de Souza 25, has claimed the 2013 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach over ASP rookie Nat Young 21, in clean three-to-five foot waves. Event No. 2 of 10 on the 2013 ASP World Championship Tour, the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach culminated in dramatic fashion Tuesday with the young Brazilian claiming the first South American men’s title in 52 years!

ASP / Taranaki

Joining guys like Andy Irons, Kelly Slater, Joel Parkinson and Mick Fanning, Adriano is now amongst an elite few who have successfully rung that Bell. Even after starting the year without a sponsor, Adriano beat the critics by taking matters into his own hands. Winning our hearts in the process… maybe. De Souza’s win vaults the young South American to ASP World tour ranking to No. 4 heading into the third event in Adriano’s home country of Brazil.

Adriano Desouza

RIP CURL PRO BELLS BEACH FINAL RESULTS 1 – Adriano de Souza (BRA) 16.26 2 – Nat Young (USA) 15.83 RIP CURL PRO BELLS BEACH SEMIFINAL RESULTS SF 1: Nat Young (USA) 15.10 def. Taj Burrow (AUS) 13.43 SF 2: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 18.44 def. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 18.40

TSB Bank NZ Surf Festival in Taranaki Courtney Conlogue claims it. Winning the 2013 TSB Bank NZ Surf Festival featuring the Dow AgroSciences Pro over Coco Ho, this marked a season best. Congrats Courtney! But Coco’s runner-up finish propelled the young Hawaiian from 9th to 7th on the ASP Women’s rankings. With her boards feeling good and a confidence high from a solid result, she’ll be taking this momentum into Brazil. A place she usually does well at. GO COCO HO!

Hawaii Ocean Expo 2013

Coco Ho

Ocean lovers came from near and far in celebration and patronage to the variety of ocean related sports and activities that we as a community share. The Freesurf booth was equipped to share the gift that keeps on giving… Freesurf shwagg. Check out next year’s lineup at HawaiianOceanExpo.com

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The Bikini Consensus Facebook Opinion With progression comes change, and change is a good thing right? Fashion is a big one that constantly shifts in the surf industry, from neon colored wetsuits to jabberwocky masks to artwork on bikinis; it’s all an expression of personality. Women especially own their femininity these days and are becoming more comfortable with wearing what makes them comfortable. Whether that’s a rash guard and surf shorts, spring suit, or a Brazilian bikini, the wahines are making a statement. So we made our own on Facebook, and here’s what a few fans had to say. Do you welcome bikinis in the line-up? Karissa Calderon: “As long as it stays on...surf ‘kinis are so necessary. Don’t want to have to keep fussing with my suit and worrying about flashing people. Just want it to stay put so I can focus on the water.” Makai them...I vote we all surf naked :) ” FreeMoore: Surf“I’m Ad offended - Koko by Only Coupon

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Jon Mitchell: “Surfing should be all about the ride and people should wear whatever is comfortable. I hate to see a sport so pure corrupted by politics. Let’s keep surfing free by not imposing morals on others.” Michael Caputo: “Um,R2F they are delightfully distracting. It’s better than KON 11003 12/14/11 the surf sometimes.” Heidi Furness: “As long as they’re covered up. But I just think it looks uncomfortable when it’s all flossy. I prefer a nice two-piece with x coverage or a one piece.” Russell Ford: “In the water it’s all about the view ...why on earth Becca Villegas 12/14/11 wouldn’t bikinis be welcomed in the water?”

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Tim McKenna / Roxy

Kelia Moniz Sister, The Champ By Tiffany Foyle Ask any Hawaii grom if they could pick where they went to school every day, they would probably say, “at the beach.” That’s exactly how good Kelia Moniz, current ASP Women’s World Longboard champion, had it growing up. Kelia’s mom, Tammy Moniz, home schooled all five children. “We would do school and go straight to the beach after school every single day,” Kelia recalls. “At one point when my Dad first started up his Surf School, my mom would have to help with logistics so we were literally doing school on the beach. Our classroom was Waikiki Beach.” Kelia is the only sister among four brothers (hence her nickname: “Sister”), who are also surfing competitively, making their way as up-

and-coming surf talents. Her parents own and operate Faith Surf School on the South Shore of Oahu. Her father, Tony Moniz, was a professional surfer and is a respected big wave surfer. Having Waikiki as a classroom paid off, as the 20-year-old recently discovered when she won the SWATCH Girls Pro China in November 2012 and was officially crowned the champ at the annual ASP World Surfing Awards on the Gold Coast, Australia in February. “I’ve always wanted to win a title but I just don’t think I was ever focused enough to win one,” Kelia says. “This year was a different story. I was more focused and determined then I’ve ever been in my life.”

Heff

The men’s world longboard tour ended in China at the same time as the women’s, which never happens. As Kelia paddled out for her semi-final heat, a bus pulled up with the Hawaii men’s pros: Dwayne DeSoto, Kai Sallas, Keegan Edwards, and Nelson Ahina. “From that point on, it was like Hawaii was there,” recalls Tammy Moniz, who was shooting photos on the beach. “The guys just took over and coached Kelia, and they were there at the waters edge to chair her up the beach when she won.” In addition to the support from the men, Tammy says the contest is an inspiring display of camaraderie. “The girls surf against each other as competitors and are also cheerleaders and so supportive of one another,” she explains. “It’s pretty remarkable.” When Kelia started competing at age 10 and was sponsored by Roxy by age 13, there was a change happening in the women’s surf world. It had been, for the most part, polarized between competitive female surfers and lifestyle, model female surfers. Kelia represents the generation that does it all. “I definitely feel like there has been a change in female surfing,” she maintains. “Not just in the surfers but more so the way female surfers are being accepted. You look at every girl on tour now and they are all incredibly talented athletes but are total babes out of the water. The women I looked up to like Lisa Andersen and Kassia Meador were incredible in the water and portrayed that beautiful surfer lifestyle as a model. They were my inspiration and the reason why I’m doing what I am today.” While Kelia says she doesn’t feel pressure as a model, she does feel that it’s a part of her job to be fit and healthy. “Recently I’ve been taking extra care of my body because the older I get the more my body responds to the food I put in it—or should I say doesn’t respond,” the selfprofessed food-lover admits. “I have a trainer I work out with five times a week and I’ve noticed a huge difference in just that. I feel stronger, I have way more energy, and I’m happier.” The Roxy girl recently moved to California with best friend, Bruna Schmitz. “Over the past two years I’ve been traveling a lot shooting Roxy’s seasonal campaigns with Bruna and Monyca Byrne-Wickey,” Kelia explains. “We were spending lots of time in California so we decided to find a little place we could call home instead of living out of our suitcases.” Kelia now lives close to Roxy’s headquarters to be more accessible to them. She surfs mostly in Manhattan Beach

Scott Soens / Roxy

where she lives and occasionally surfs in San Clemente with Roxy O.G., Lisa Andersen. “I really enjoy the waves here, most of them are so playful and fun to longboard,” the goofy-foot says. Growing up on playful waves in Waikiki has made Kelia a skilled noserider and stylish surfer. She has nothing to prove on anything a longboard wouldn’t naturally handle though. “I’m terrified of big waves,” she admits. While she’s not superstitious and doesn’t have any pre-surf rituals, when Kelia competes she does get really nervous. “To calm myself down I usually try to pick a song that I love and sing,” she laughs. When Kelia isn’t competing or shooting a campaign, she is traveling for surf. “I’d say 99 percent of my travel is for work,” she relates. “I love traveling.” This summer’s travel plans include a return to paradise for the Roxy Classic in Waikiki in June and a few surf trips to Fiji and the Mentawais. As for the future, Kelia looks forward to her lengthy to-do list, but she’s not letting the secret out on what she’s got up her sleeve just yet. “It may take a little more time for those goals to be met but they will happen with patience, hard work, and a smile,” she says with such a smile. “I will definitely continue to compete and if lucky enough, win another, or two world titles.” pau

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Aperture

Carissa Moore, from where youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d rather be. Photo: Jason Kenworthy

Grace + style + beauty = Coco Ho. Photo: Tony Heff

Leila Hurst: flash attack. Photo: Nelly

Alessa Quizon, speeding to the top. Photo: Pete Frieden

Moana Jones busting out, Photo: Tony Heff

Rochelle Ballard checks in to the warehouse. Photo: Kamio

Malia Manuel, soaring. Photo: Pete Frieden

Alana Blanchard, off the lip and on the radar. Photo: Rip Curl

Nage Melamed, throwing more buckets than you. Photo: Frieden

With Ocean Ramsey, Faith Wenzl, Honolua Blomfield, Dax McGill, and Monyca Byrne-Wickey Lauren Shanahan

The label “surfer girl” might be somewhat cliché, but the connotation is growing stronger every year. Despite all the double standards, square box molds, and low budgeting, women’s surfing still cultivates respect. And girls are proving themselves not only by advancing past the boys at younger ages, but also by being role models throughout it all. These five highlighted females push beyond what’s expected of

them and emerge with something to share. Something to teach not only other surfers, but also other waterwomen, career women, and aspiring youth worldwide. Each female shares a perspective of her purpose that reflects the natural role model within. Whether it’s proving that women have a place in competitive surfing or that girls can be cute and feminine while still achieving equal

goals, these career-driven-shark-divingboard-crossing-world-traveling-fiercecompeting-and-free-surfing females are taking part in an important message. To find and believe your own purpose.And have fun throughout it and enjoy the journey.

Juan Oliphant

Girl Empowered

Ocean Ramsey The only limits you have are the ones you place on yourself.

“

Scuba instructor and model. Shark activist, free diver, waterwoman, surfer, world traveler, braver than most guys. Starting the day off with a deep-water free dive is a highlight for Ocean. Seeing a shark while in the water is a blessing. Every three seconds a shark is killed, and despite their importance in fragile marine ecosystems, people’s fear is what holds them back from taking a stance against shark cruelty and disregard. Ocean’s goal in life is to help save sharks and other marine life. She’s hoping to achieve this by changing society’s perception of sharks, getting people past their fears, and inspiring others to take an interest in these fascinating creatures. Capturing peaceful interactions of human and shark is Ocean’s way of sharing her passion with the world. And with a healthy respect for the animal’s capabilities, this waterwoman has learned to read shark behavior and communication skillfully. Sometimes she’ll even spend more time with sharks, whales, and dolphins than she does her own family. As a female diving with great whites and tigers for the purpose of proving a message, girls everywhere can recognize how impactful they can be too. On diving with sharks: “You don’t have to completely love sharks, but at least respect them as part of nature. They deserve to be there, they were there before us, and it’s their home… “As a surfer I love the days when I can go out, do a dive with sharks, and then go back into shore and go surf. Shark diving is a perception changer.” On females in the sport: “I think you can be cute and feminine, but you can also do everything that all the guys do. You don’t have to fit into a cookie cutter society box of what you should and shouldn’t do, and what people expect of you. There’s no reason why you can’t do everything.” Why Ocean is a role model: This inspiring woman lives by the quote, “what would you attempt if you knew you would not fail?” Ocean doesn’t allow fear to hold her back from anything and she believes in her purpose so strongly that it brings her face-to-face with sharks, a calculated risk this female is willing to take every single day. Ocean is brave but not fearless, driven by love yet levelheaded. Speaking up for what’s important in her life, Ocean leads the example that fulfillment comes from being true to yourself and true to the things that matter most. For this skilled diver this means the threatened marine life in our seas. To be a good person means fighting for what is meaningful and Ocean wonders aloud, “What type of person would I be if I didn’t speak up for sharks?” Discovering your passion is like revealing your purpose, so make it significant.

A female can do anything a man does. She might not be accepted like a male would be, but as long as she’s true to herself and she knows she’s doing well and she accepts it, then she’ll be fine. People will notice it and she’ll get to

“

where she wants to be.

Faith Wenzl Triple Crown Administrative Director. Queen of Queens. Organizer, supporter, achiever, town born country girl. Faith spent her childhood surfing every single day. Whether dominating Queens in Waikiki or keeping up with her dad at Ehukai, this Punchbowl native had a strong will from the get go. Faith is the Administrative Director of the Triple Crown, and has been THE woman of this event since its inception in 1981. “I do everything and anything,” Faith remarks. Even before there was Triple Crown there were other amateur events throughout Hawaii, and Faith has had a presence in this industry since 1974. With a knack for organization, knowledge of surfing, and ability to transform a simple idea into a successful end outcome, Faith is a very accomplished woman. On her career: “Rabbit Kekai told me one year, (it was my fate), “You have to help the pros”. So he introduced me to Randy and I’ve been with Randy ever since. In my days there was no such thing as professional female surfing. And when they finally did have, there was only one event in the whole world.” On female progression: “Female surfers have come far, they’re way more aggressive and yet they still look like females. It’s nice to see the women surfers look feminine and yet still be strong surfers.”

Why Faith is a role model: Faith has gotten to a point in her career where she is at the top. Working her way from humble beginnings, this strong-willed woman gives any female the example that if you dedicate yourself wholly to something, you will succeed. “There’s really no one who can tell me what to do,” explains Faith with a calm confidence. The ins and outs of her job are so familiar, that year-over-year improvement is now her forte, with online registration being one of the latest and greatest additions that Faith has carried out. “I always try to better each year.” Over thirty years of this mindset has gotten the Triple Crown to where it is today; The most prestigious surfing events of the year. And this wonder woman helps keep the wheels (and surfers) on track. Instead of standing out from the crowd, Faith feels it’s necessary to be part of the crowd. As a perpetual supporter, she’ll bend over backwards for others and always lend a helping hand. Growing up with six other siblings, Faith had hand-me-down everything’s and learned to appreciate the small things. Humble yet powerful, and with an older sister mentality, this lady was born to be an advocator. Faith’s personality and drive created a tailor-made career that has produced success and fulfillment. What better way to spend your time than working a job that makes you happy?

Chris Latronic

“

Heff

Do what makes you happy and don’t be afraid to try and prove people wrong.

“

Honolua Blomfield North shore surfer and student at Waialua High. Spiritual light of the family, artist in the water. Hawaiian, humble, naturally athletic. Born and raised on the north shore of Oahu, Honolua took up surfing like a fish takes to water. Coming from a generational surfing family, the sport runs in her blood. And it’s evident in her movement on both longboard and shortboard. Surfing competitively, Hono strives to break the mold of being categorized as either a longboarder or a shortboarder. “Why can’t I be both?” she questions. With inspirational females like Rell Sunn and Kelia Moniz helping pave the way, this quiet teenager is hoping for that voice to be heard. Naturally sweet and friendly, Honolua works on her goal to be an all-around good person and talented surfer. And along the way she’s also helping revolutionize women’s longboarding for future generations. It is pure delight watching this Hawaiian descendant move with water on waves. La’akeakaihonolua, “the sacred light from the sea of Honolua” couldn’t have been a more perfect name for this force field. On growing up in Hawaii: “A bad day here is a perfect day anywhere else. I like how it’s sunny and it’s always perfect, and all the families surf. For me personally, growing up in Hawaii is cool because my ancestors are from here and they did what I’m doing now, they surfed… “My grandma was very graceful and she could probably still longboard to this day, she is 67 years old.”

On surfing: “I’m trying to break the stigma of just being a longboarder or a shortboarder, and just be a surfer.” More and more girls are entering contests in the longboard division because of Hono’s influence, and doubters of crossing are being proved wrong. “Don’t be put in a box and do what makes you happy.” After all, Hono is just trying to be who Hono is. Why Honolua is a role model: An artist on a longboard and an equally tough competitor on a shortboard, this Hawaiian wahine continues to strive toward her goals. With a natural drive to achieve, Hono hopes to be the first female World Champion in both long and shortboarding. “Not necessarily the same year or the same time, but in my life, in my career,” she smiles. Younger girls are looking up to Hono because she does what makes her happy and stands up for the fun aspects of surfing. A contender in the water but a true friend on land, this girl doesn’t let the stress of competitive surfing get in the way of what’s important; and that is simply having a good time in Hawaii’s beautiful ocean. Young, beautiful, and possessing a traditional air of humbleness, this athlete is a role model for girls who just want to be themselves and have fun surfing.

If you meet your goals, then you feel like you own the world. The best feeling in the world is

“

meeting your goals.

Dax McGill Competitive surfer and high school student. Class clown, highly determined, fierce, silly, skater girl. On a path to success.

describes herself as somewhat of an optimist, but is known to set off a heavy determination in the water.

Born with a drive for competition, this north shore girl is proving to the world that determination pays off. One of the toughest things Dax has ever overcome was the injury that left her in the hospital for eight days, just weeks before Nationals two years ago. Most don’t know that Dax’s very first title in 2011 was accompanied with a snapped rib and migraines that left her blacking out from pain days before the competition. And almost one year to the day when she was hospitalized is when Dax won the world title. You’ve never seen more of an example of “no pain no gain” than with Dax McGill. But there is a personality behind this type of determination, and it comes in the form of a fifteenyear old surfer whose dream in life is to be world champ. While setting a positive example for girls, this power package strives to always do better.

On staying focused: “When I want something I go for it full force and give it 110%.” She uses this fierceness as a tool to stay ahead and concentrate, and considers herself a very competitive person. Her top goal is to win a world title one day and win it as young as she can.

The flip side to this competitive surfer is her goofy traits. Known as a class clown, Dax has always been outgoing, talkative, and “very loud,” she laughs. By not taking herself too seriously outside of competition, Dax is able to create a balance between her career and just being a teenager. “The last thing I’m thinking about is making a joke in the water during a competition, but right when I get out of the water, it’s all laughs.” With a will that’s beyond her years, this fighter won’t stop until she reaches her goals. She’s positive throughout the journey and

On her career: “Getting a new experience every time I go somewhere and meeting new people, it’s all an adventure.” By soaking in the positive things about surfing professionally, Dax is able to show women worldwide that it’s achievable to live your dreams. “Bottom line is you have to love what you do, aside from the competition. If you love what you do then you will always be happy. Doing what you love is the best feeling in the world.” Why Dax is a role model: Powerful, positive, and good-natured, Dax teaches kids to never give up. This surfer works hard for everything she has achieved and is a great example to young girls that if you stay focused and determined, you can reach top goals at an early age. Stand out from the crowd, shine bright, and do everything with intention. “Never give up. With anything. If you want to be really good in school, get a good education, go into sports, or win a world title one day, never give up. Keep giving it 100% until you get it.” With drive comes success and women worldwide can learn from this type of spirit.

Chris Latronic

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Never settle for less than what

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you love.

Monyca Byrne-Wickey Freesurfer and Roxy model. Free spirit, confident, passionate. Hana girl, old soul, deeply connected to friends, family, nature. At the young age of 18, Monyca turned down competitive surfing on the QS and embraced being a free surfer. A risky move at the time, in hindsight this free spirit believes it opened up opportunities for sponsors to utilize her in more unique ways. As a Roxy model, Monyca travels the world to surf, but admits that there is nothing like being back home in Hana, Maui. By taking the competition out of surfing, this twenty-two year old gets to take what is meant to be taken out of the sport; and that is the love, fun, and enjoyment of the ocean. Deeply connected to her fiancé, friends, and family, Monyca expresses herself best by being passionate. Passion is an asset she truly admires in a female, and believes it is a word that can symbolize what is most important in life and how to express it. Being in love with anything is what “keeps you happy and looking forward to the rest of your life,” Monyca describes with worldliness beyond her years. Possessing a confidence that comes from within, this loving person believes that self-esteem is key. “If you are doing what you love and you’re working toward your dream, then you’ll have the confidence to love who you are on the inside and out.” On female surfing: “Surfing has become more feminine. The generation I’ve grown up with has been the difference. Women are embracing their feminine beauty and really embracing what they’ve got as a woman. I

think absolutely neck and neck with that is progression. The progression with surfing has changed immensely in the past ten years… “Beauty, fitness, and progression have gone up so many levels in the last few years, it’s really pushing everybody’s eyes open for surfing.” But when it comes down to the difference between male and female surfing, Monyca says there isn’t much of one. “Everybody’s together in the water having fun riding a wave. I think if I were a boy I would be having just as much fun.” On what’s important: “The most important things in my life are definitely my fiancé and the rest of my family and all our friends. Also surfing, ocean, nature, and Hana.” Also staying true to herself and letting that radiant personality shine through in everything this free surfer does. Why Monyca is a role model: Guiding others down a positive path, Monyca helps females because she is a successful surfer without having to compete. “I’m a little more accessible because I’m not a competitive surfer, it’s easier for girls to relate… “Girls who aren’t striving to be pro surfers can still strive to love the ocean and have respect for it.” Monyca is setting a good example for young women worldwide by telling them that they “can always find love and happiness, whether it be through relationships, surfing, being active, or following their dreams.” Competition doesn’t have to be an ingredient for success; as long as you live life whole-heartedly, passion and accomplishments will follow. pau

Scott Soens / Roxy

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Environment

Reef Depletion and The Future of Our Oceans Q & A with Surfrider Foundation members Leah Kamoiokalani Sausen and Carl Berg By Jericho Rell

A s surfers it’s difficult to imagine our lives without the reef. It is the major component that shapes some of the best waves in the world. Without these rock and coral formations, our ocean ecosystems would perish and waves wouldn’t be the same. I met up with Leah Kamoiokalani Sausen, born and raised on the North Shore of Kauai. An avid surfer and activist for clean water and an intern at Kauai Surfrider Foundation, Leah offered some insight into the future of our oceans. I also met with her mentor Carl Berg, the chairman of Surfrider Foundation and a research scientist in water testing and ocean study. The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s oceans, waves and beaches for all people, through conservation, activism, research and education. What inspired you to join Surfrider? Leah: Being born and raised here on the North shore of Kauai, I grew up with great appreciation for the land and the sea. Most of my childhood memories are at the beach. I love the beach and love surfing. I am really lucky to have a dad that shapes me custom boards. It makes surfing even more special, I get to take this board out that my dad put all his mana in and be in nature and ride some amazing waves and have fun. I feel that the ocean is a healing place and I always come out feeling better. It brings joy in my life. So joining Surfrider Foundation was just natural to me. I want to do something to make a difference whether it is fieldwork or educating others on issues. What is the state of the reef right now? In 2004, Surfrider Foundation brought in Dr. Greta Aeby from the Hawaii 52

Institute of Marine Biology and a group of researchers to look at the diseased coral. Carl Berg: What’s happened recently is that somebody has come and started diving around and noticing a lot of the reefs are dead. The long-term trend for Hanalei in there is about twenty-five percent live coral cover, which means there is seventy-five percent dead coral. Last summer when those groups came out, they didn’t find any major change in the present live coral cover. Dr. Aeby came and did find some diseased coral. We have this huge set of data going for sixteen years that shows that the coral reefs here are holding their own and they are actually pretty good and the fish stocks are pretty good too. Now that’s not case everywhere. We do have events with a lot of sediment runoff. From the GMO fields on the Westside where all this mud washed in and smothered the reef. Things like that have happened in Kaneohe Bay as well. So we have major perturbations that have killed off the reefs. What the department of health is doing and has been doing for decades is monitoring the water at the beaches. And they are also monitoring it for public health. Are we going to get sick if we swim in those waters? Carl Berg: The indicator of the health of the water is bacteria that comes from feces, so it’s fecal indicating bacteria that they do the tests for. Then we can say whether the water is contaminated with feces, which would indicate that there is a lot of diseases that would get us sick out there. They don’t measure on a routine basis for chemicals. They do, and Leah does, measure the trepidity, or how muddy the water is. That is the measure of how much sediment is in the water and that affects the reefs too.

Environment Leah: I was really interested in what the bacteria counts were where I would go surf. I started sampling Hanalei and Wainiha. So when our professor had us go out and get samples, I chose Hanalei River and it was ten times the amount of what it should be. And that day when I took the sample I saw kids playing right there. So that really inspired me to get involved with Surfrider. What are the major factors affecting the reef of the islands? Carl Berg: The structure and what they look like, and percentage of live coral cover that is really determined by the amount of wave action… The thirty, forty-footers that come in all the time. So the major driving factor of the coral reef health here is the surf. The second thing that we are finding is the amount of sediment that is coming off. But my own research and what I think is most perturbing, is the affects of global climate change. As scientists we don’t know how these things are going to interact. Dr. Paul Jokiel at the University of Hawaii has been studying the affect of temperature and ocean acidification and it is killing off the reefs. I have been looking at ocean acidification throughout Hawaii. So you have global scale perturbations coming down off the reef. Too many nutrients going in the water, too much mud going in the water, too many people walking on the reef, diving, anchoring on the reef, sewage runoff, runoff from agricultural lands, runoff from department of transportation. How can we preserve the reef? Carl Berg: This is a hard question because I am a scientist and I am doing work on ocean acidification and climate change. I think there’s no way we

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Brianna Cope By Lauren Shanahan

Kauai native Brianna Cope has been surfing competitively for the past 8 years, recently catching Freesurf’s attention with her 2nd place standing in this year’s North Shore Surf Shop Pipe Pro Junior. In 2012, this talented surfer ranked #1 in Hawaii for juniors, which she smiles broadly about saying, “Yeah that was a good season.” Lighthearted and quirky, this 18year old has aspirations of qualifying for the World Tour, but also stays busy with online college, traveling, and spending time with her family on Kauai. Competitive and possessing a new found flair for barrel riding, Brianna is well seasoned and ready to take on this summer’s QS events. Read on for more insider information about this beautiful and ambitious Kauai surfer girl!

Rock

She Rips

Nickname: Peanut Birth Date: October 8th, 1994 Hometown: Poipu, Kauai Stance: Regular

Toughest competitor: Right now all the girls are getting so good. But I really look up to the older girls, like Steph and Carissa. Everyone is always pushing each other and it really depends on whose day it is, who is lucky.

How did competitive surfing begin for you? It all started with tagging along with my sister at contests. I would fly with her to all the NSSA’s and then I won my first contest at age 11. It was the Irons Brothers Pinetrees Classic.

Currently working on: Barrel riding. I couldn’t get into the barrel till this year and I caught my first one at Shipwrecks. I’m so tall; I’m 6’0 so I could never get in until now! I’d rather get into a 5-foot wave than a 2-foot wave that I’m trying to squeeze into.

Your greatest accomplishment: My greatest accomplishment would be the win at the 4-star Junior Pro last year at Sunset Beach. My sister Gabby was there during the whole event and it was a priceless moment to win with her there.

Favorite post surf meal? Anything home cooked by my mom. She always cooks the best organic steak and broccoli and it’s so good. But on Oahu I love Beet Box Café (food truck). I ate there literally everyday for two months!

Favorite breaks: My favorite break on Kauai is PK’s and Shipwrecks because I get to surf with all my friends and I grew up surfing these breaks. On Oahu I really like Ehukai Beach Park and Rockies. I spend a lot of the winter surfing out there.

Travel pinpoints: I’ve been to Australia, Bali, Peru, Tahiti, Panama, Seattle, California, Korea, and China. My favorite place I’ve traveled to is Bali for sure. I went with my older sister for 2 weeks for my graduation present. The waves were perfect and we made so many friends! We stayed right by Bintang, right on the beach. Favorite movie(s): “Silver Lining Playbook” and “Pitch Perfect”. My favorite surf movie is John John Florence’s “Done”. Surf celebrity crush: Mick Fanning. And my celebrity crush is Rob Kardashian; I’m obsessed with the Kardashians! One thing most people don’t know about you: I was born with a physical handicap. When I was younger I had a hard time doing regular activities, but now I’m used to it. I was always really shy about it, but as I’ve gotten older I’m still doing regular stuff. People used to tease me when I was a kid, but now I like it. I feel like it’s lucky. Last words for Freesurf readers: “YOLO!” (You only live once).