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Emi Erickson, Waimea Bay, Photo - Mike Latronic

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F R E E

P A R K I N G

Calm and perfectly-poised, it looks as if Kalani Rivero is sliding on a cartoon magic carpet ride on this Pipeline Bomb, Photo Brent Bielmann

TA B L E

O F

C O N T E N T S

Free Parking

Editor's Note

News & Events

Jaws Ignites

24 Wahine 32

Griffin Collapinto

Aperture

Stuff We Like

Remembering John Shimooka

Industry Notes

Last Look

Photo - Brian Bielmann

V O L U M E

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N U M B E R

Editorial Publisher

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Andrew Oliver

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FREESURF MAGAZINE is distributed at all Jamba Juice locations, most fine surf shops and select specialty stores throughout Hawai‘i, Southern California, and the East Coast. Subscribe at freesurfmagazine.com Other than “Free Postage” letters, we do not accept unsolicited editorial submissions without first establishing contact with the editor. FreeSurf, Manulele Inc. and its associates are not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged submissions or their return.

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E D I T O R ' S

N O T E

Winter Time By Andrew Oliver Of all the elements that coalesce to make the act of surfing possible, it is the influence of time that outweighs the rest. The duration of a storm, the interval of a swell, and the ebb and flow of the tides, are just a few examples of time’s immense effect in forming the waves we ride. Out of this magnificent convergence of elements arises the opportunities for us to harness these fleeting moments of oceanic propulsion.

This isn’t meant as a screed against competitive surfing per se, but an acknowledgment of the inherent creative limitations to a highly regulated platform. As competitive arenas go, the ocean is as unpredictable of a playing field as there is, especially with the pressure of a countdown clock. For a seasoned competitor it becomes all about managing the elements which can be controlled. Experimenting with equipment, alternative lines or maneuvers, are generally trumped by perfecting form and strategy that have already been proven to work.

When we think of the pinnacle of performance surfing, our mind understandably associates it with the competitive elite of the WSL. It is difficult to overstate just how remarkable these top athletes are, considering they are asked to perform under the strain of battle - with their fellow competitors, and more importantly with time. As exciting as it is to watch the ensuing drama that unfolds within these competitive constraints, there is an underlying tension between the arbitrary confines of a heat and the boundless creativity that is inherently possible in surfing. Contests were designed to reign in what is essentially a subjective creative endeavor, apply a codified formula of “objective” rules, resulting in a tabulated winner. Obviously in the competitive realm, natural talent is paramount, but the ability to navigate the boundaries of rules, scoring, and time is essential to success. As a result of having a rather static formula for how surf contests are organized, there emerged a corresponding formula on how to win said contests. With one of the main strategies being - “managing the clock.”

Photo - Brian Bielmann 14

This season we had a glimpse of a new way to quantify the unquantifiable, with a confluence of events in which the timeclock - a defining feature of surf contests - was essentially removed. The Red Bull Magnitude Women’s Big Wave Event, the digital version of the Vans Triple Crown, and Surfline’s perennial Wave of the Winter, provided forums which account for the volatile nature of the ocean, and allow some of the world’s best to focus solely on the waves and their performance. The result has been an extended super-session in some of the best waves seen in seasons. While traditional events dole out the action in incremented spurts, forcing the athletes to be on the sidelines in the intervals. This season saw many of the top-talent log more water time than they have since gromethood, pushing performance levels session after session, and maintaining epic vibes throughout. It has been a good time indeed.

Emi Erickson Photo: Billy Watts

C O V E R

S T O R Y

In the ever evolving world of big wave surfing the women have seen a marked rise in visibility and performance. This year, the "Red Bull Magnitude" event for women was a big shot in the arm, putting the top water women on the planet on notice and giving them even bigger impetus to send it! With a $40,000 prize purse the best and gnarliest women were super empowered to showcase their mettle. When it comes to free surfing large Sunset or Waimea Bay Emi Erickson, daughter to big wave legend Roger Erickson, is by and far a standout. Shown here on this crazy Waimea lipper , Erickson is holding up family traditions on point.Shooting Waimea Bay is always an adventure. Negotiating the dangerous shore break is never, ever graceful and dodging big sets once the photog hits the line up is always an adrenal affair. The results however are usually very gratifying as was the case on this day December 12, 2020. Publisher Mike Latronic had no problem with the shore break that day as he had shuttled over by jet ski from an outer reef location he was covering earlier that morning. Latronic recalls, "I actually kept asking my ski driver to position at a certain angle, in a particular zone for the oncoming sets and it really paid off on this sequence of Emi! When I was looking through the lens I was sure that something special happened and sure enough when I got home and saw Emil charging and that lip curdling I knew this moment was special! So stoked the crew agreed to use it for the cover!!"

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Jack Robinson Photo Kelly Cestari/WSL via Getty Images N E W S

E V E N T S

Three New Stops Added to 2021 WSL Championship Tour The World Surf League (WSL) confirmed the updated schedule for the Championship Tour (CT) Australian leg, announcing the addition of three events in North Narrabeen (NSW), Margaret River (WA), and Rottnest Island (WA). The WSL also announced the cancellation of the 2021 Corona Open Gold Coast presented by Billabong and the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach.

The pristine nature reserve of Rottnest Island will host the fourth stop of the Australian Championship Tour leg. The island is offshore from Western Australia’s capital, Perth, and its breaks are some of the most consistent in the state. Strickland Bay, where the event will take place, is predominantly a left and is considered one of the best waves in south-west Western Australia.

Joining Margaret River on the elite CT will be three new CT stops in New South Wales and Western Australia. The opening stop of the Australian leg will see the Championship Tour head to the pro surfing hub of Merewether Beach in Newcastle continuing over 35 years of professional surfing history in this iconic Australian city.

The WSL announced the agreement with the New South Wales Government that will see all international competitors board a chartered flight in Los Angeles that will land in Sydney. Once in Australia, all travelling athletes and support staff will undergo the mandatory 14-day hotel quarantine and must receive a medical clearance from public health officials before entering the general community and preparing for competition in Newcastle. The Government is not funding the quarantine.

Following Newcastle, the CT will head south to the Northern Beaches of Sydney to North Narrabeen. Similarly to Newcastle, North Narrabeen has a rich surfing lineage producing some of surfing’s biggest names. Home to legends such as Simon Anderson, Nathan Hedge, Laura Enever and Damien Hardman to name a few, the high-performance lefts of North Narra have hosted dozens of professional events over the last four decades with the Rip Curl Narrabeen Classic presented by Corona, CT being the first event since the World Junior Championships over a decade ago.

The WSL will implement a robust and thorough COVID-19 health and safety plan for each event during the Australian leg of the CT in accordance with federal and state guidance. The WSL’s health and safety plan include physical distancing measures, temperature checks, enhanced high-touch cleaning at the event site, contact tracing procedures, sanitizer stations throughout the event site, and minimal personnel on-site.

The third event of the Australian leg is a more familiar one for competitors and surf fans alike, Margaret River, where competition returns to the rugged and raw waters of South West Western Australia. Competitors will be tested as always with one of the most diverse events seeing Main Break and The Box coming into play across the event window.

Rip Curl Newcastle Cup pres. by Corona: April 1 - 11 Rip Curl Narrabeen Classic pres. by Corona: April 16 - 26 Boost Mobile Margaret River Pro pres. by Corona: May 2-12 Rip Curl Rottnest Search pres. by Corona: May 16 - 26 18

H Y P E R F R E A K B O A R D S H O RT O’N E I L L I N C. 2021 | U S .O N E I L L .CO M PHOTOGRAPH: PETER KING

WELCOME TO THE TEAM -

S H I O N C R AW F O R D

Justine Dupont Photo - Fred Pompermayer 20

JAWS It’s been a crazy season in the big wave realm. With multiple days of XXL surf at all the heavyweight spots - Mavericks, Waimea, North Shore outer reefs, and of course Jaws. The debut of Jaws to the surf world coincided with a whole new approach to big waves tow surfing. A new technique that was devised out of necessity to tame the treacherous mountains of water that explode on the Jaws reef. Since those pioneering days, there has been a major push to conquer the big wave realm by traditional means and paddle surfing has had an enormous resurgence in the big stuff. Advances in surfboards, wave forecast, and especially safety floatation devices and training - have ushered in a new era for the men and women who paddle into mountains. However, there remain those days where the conditions are so extreme, that they still call for the rope and the ski. It’s all too fitting that the birthplace of big-wave tow surfing see some of the most epic rides of this season, like the one pictured here of France’s Justine Dupont, getting the wave of the day and a barrel of a lifetime.

Landon Mcnamara Photos - Aaron Lynton

Steve Roberson

Ty Simpson Kane

Andrea Moller

Digital Formats Fuels Surge in Women’s Surf Contests A Winter Update by Shannon Reporting

Keala Kennelly, leaning in at Pipeline, Photo - Brent Bielmann

Coco Ho, Hale'iwa. Photo - Brian Bielmann

When given the opportunity, women rise to the occasion. And this winter was no exception.

Most importantly, this season the doors finally opened for more local women than ever to compete in Hawaiʻi, without the financial burdens of travel and chasing World Tour points. So naturally, the ladies put on a show this season when Vans announced their inaugural digital Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, including a women’s division for the first time in nearly a decade.

onster swells graced the North Shore for non-stop freesurf action, with little to zero distractions from school (canceled), concerts or parties (forbidden), or office work (when the “stay-at-home” order applied). The pandemic had bred the perfect storm for stacking clips, from right here at home. As you’ll see from the digital Vans Triple Crown of Surfing 2021 podium chalked full of local women, wahine in the Hawaiian Islands are setting the bar for the sport, delivering outstanding performances in waves of consequence.

In proper 2020 fashion, uncontrollable and unfortunate circumstances unfolded during the Maui Pro presented by Roxy, when a fatal shark attack to a freesurfer put the event on hold, sending the WSL scrambling to secure another location. Low and behold, the ladies ended up rerouting to Pipeline to finish their heats during the men’s Billabong Pipe Pro final rounds. The sudden venue change proved optimal for progressing the sport and furthering evidence for the theory, once again, that when given the opportunity, women rise to the occasion.

The digital era of virtual events may have just saved women’s surfing. And it definitely opened more doors than ever on the female side of the coin. In an innovative stride to adapt with the times, the surf industry embraced new competitive formats, going completely digital without the need for an arena of fans on the beach clogging up Kamehameha Highway. Big time backers of the sport, like Vans and Red Bull, set their wheels in motion with virtual competitions, providing large platforms for the exposure of raw surfing talent to a global audience of fans hungry for content (also likely stuck at home and glued to their phones).

North Shore’s top talent surfed their hearts out throughout the entire VTCS four-week waiting period, which just so happened to align with the incoming storms as the islands were gifted countless swells week after week. Lay days were a thing of the past. This season, the wahine 26

were paddling out like it was their day job. Bingo! The notorious Banzai Pipeline became the battle ground for local Oʻahu chargers like: Moana Jones, Coco Ho, Zoë McDougall, and Carissa Moore, plus Kauaʻi’s Tatiana Weston-Webb and Keala Kennelly putting themselves in the pit with nothing to lose and everything to gain. ongtime competitor and pioneer of women’s surfing, KK has been waiting for this chance to win a VTCS title her entire career, but it seemed to only happen in Hollywood’s Blue Crush in which she played the role of a fierce competitor battling for a world title at Pipe. Thankfully, the digital VTCS opened the inaugural competition to all the local surfers, which gave space for varied approaches to the sport and diverse watercrafts. Filmmaker Leah Dawson also joined the event as a competitor, known for her retro style and single-fin dancing inspired by Rell Sunn. Surfing against the likes of 7-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore at double-overhead Sunset Beach became a reality, collectively pushing the sport of women’s surfing to new heights.

determining factor in the VTCS overall results, as Hawai’i swept the podium: Carissa Moore (1st), Tatiana Weston-Webb (2nd), and Malia Manuel (3rd) remained after all the scores were in. Individual winners of the three venues were as follows: Moore took first at Haleʻiwa; Australian rookie Bronte Maccaulay made her mark as victor at Sunset Beach with Kauai’s Malia Manuel close behind her; and North Shore native Moana Jones became the first woman to be crowned at Pipe during the coveted Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, just narrowly defeating the three-time world champ. The battle at Pipe amongst the girls was unprecedented, both in and out of the water, and had its share of drama and heavy wipeouts. History was in the making as the top women stepped it up at the ultimate wave and took full advantage of their shot at title glory; plus, a significant pay day on the line couldn’t hurt either. All the girls were charging this season, but it was ultimately the Hawaiian powerhouse who claimed the throne as the first-ever digital VTCS champ. If you haven’t already seen the mind-bending clips of Carissa Moore’s waves at dry-reef Backdoor Pipe, do yourself a favor and visit vanstriplecrownofsurfing.com to rewatch her performance.

Thanks to the nature of this year’s digital competition, we got to witness amazing performances day in and day out in pumping conditions. Local knowledge of three venues seemed to be a

Speaking of new heights, it’s been a historic big-wave season with some of the best XXL surf we’ve seen in recent years (maybe since the last Eddie Aikau Invitational in 2016) combined with pristine conditions,

Carissa Moore, is no stranger to the powerful waves of the North Shore, as she regularly logs in as much water time along this fabled coast as just about any one of her fellow competitors. So, it was no surprise to see Carissa take a commanding victory in this year’s Digital version of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. Photo - Brent Bielmann

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2/17/21 10:24 AM

MIKALA JONES. PHOTO: JUSTIN

Tatiana Weston Webb, always a smooth operator in the big stuff, coasting at Sunset Beach. Photo - Brian Bielmann

which made for some of the wildest Outer Reef sessions on record. ed Bull Magnitude could not have picked a better season to kick off their first-ever digital big-wave event dedicated to the women who charge massive waves in Hawaiʻi. The seasonlong competition offers a $40,000 prize purse to the female surfer who “showcases the most consistent and progressive big-wave rides over the course of the season. Local chargers like Makani Adric, Keala Kennelly, and Emi Erickson made it their mission to surf the biggest waves of the season, only this time the world was watching. Some of the highlights so far include Kennelly dropping into a huge and beautiful Outer Reef session, meanwhile Erickson defended her Eddie Aikau nomination by marking her territory on the giant mountains of Waimea Bay, with late-take offs under the lip on on her iconic single fin guns… Stay tuned, as a champion will be crowned this March with legends like Rochelle Ballard, Mark Healey, and Kai Lenny on the judging panel.

All in all, women have proved they can handle even the heaviest and deadliest of waves. With the 2024 Olympics scheduled to host surfing at Teahupoʻo, Tahiti (which could possibly be the inauguration of the sport into the Games depending on Tokyo’s ability to host international athletes this season), it’s more exciting than ever to be a fan of women’s surfing. Hopefully the next generation of athletes will be inspired by what’s taking place today, and have the tools to to pursue their dreams without questioning their gender as a limiting factor of achievement. As keiki watch their idols across a digital screen, we can curate more storytelling of women’s surfing to give it the spotlight it deserves. And with role models like Olympic surf team member and the digital Vans Triple Crown of Surfing champ, Carissa Moore, there’s no doubt that the future of female surfing is more empowered than ever thanks to the collective effort of a community that believes in strong wahine and encourages them to paddle out.

MASON HO

PHOTO: BRENT BIELMANN

SUR Y

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Griffin Colapinto The FreeSurf Interview By Andrew Oliver

Photo - Brent Bielmann

It’s a remarkable thing to witness top athletes go on a roll - when they seem virtually untouchable. Every motion, every choice, every maneuver seems pre-destined for success. San Clement’s Griffin Colapinto found himself in that zone this winter on the North Shore. In the relentless torrent of epic surf that pounded the coast this season, Colapinto was a standout in session after session. No stranger to blowing-up on the 7-mile miracle, Colapinto won the 2017 Vans Triple Crown at just 19 years old, becoming the first Californian to ever win the prestigious title. This season, he was the only surfer to truly challenge John John Florence’s career-defining performance, finishing runner-up in the digital version of the Triple Crown event. While a second Triple Crown title eluded him, if there was an award for most epic rides bagged in one season, Colapinto would be the undisputed champion. FreeSurf was able to sit him down for a few rare minutes on land between sessions.

Photo - Brian Bielmann

What were your goals coming into this season? One of them was to win the Pipe Masters, but that didn’t happen. When I come here, I always want to get better at barrel riding and just improve my surfing. I put a lot of time in the water, and I ended up having a really good season, especially at Backdoor. I got a bunch of good barrels that I was pretty happy about. I didn't really have much in terms of expectations. But, I think that's kind of the key. Hale’iwa has probably seen more action this season than it has in years, describe what that was like? Haleiwa has been really good this winter and there's been a lot of good guys out there, so it's been cool. Everyone's super competitive, and this year it was especially fun with the Digital Triple Crown and everyone submitting their best clips. So, you could really tell who was surfing their best out there. What was it like to be a part of some of those super sessions that went down out there this season? It's one of my favorite things to do - battling it out with your peers and trying to surf better. It's just really fun, especially getting a good one in front of everyone. What was one of the most impressive things you witnessed? Probably John John, he got that crazy wave out at Hale’iwa while I was out there. It was his highest scoring wave that he submitted for the Triple Crown. He did a big carve, got really barreled, and then did a layback snap on the end. He did that first carve right in front of me, it was pretty rad to watch. Hale’iwa is probably the one wave where video does it the least justice. Describe what's really going on out there on those maxing out days?

Rocky Rights. Photo - Brian Bielmann

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Hale’iwa. Photos - Brian Bielmann

You’ve got the sweeping current pulling you back, and you’re always fighting the current. When a set comes, you gotta make sure you're not getting caught inside. If you do, you're going to have to go all the way in and around, or get washed into the Harbor. And that really sucks. It's a lot harder than it looks to get a good wave. The waves on the North Shore are extremely difficult to master, throw in the locals, crowds, etc… At what point did you start to feel comfortable here? I'd say when I was around 16 years old. Josh and Seth [Moniz] are my really good friends and I'd paddle out with them to most places. So, that made me feel a lot more comfortable. You have a great relationship with the Moniz family, and a lot of friends here. How important was establishing those relationships? The relationships I've made over here have been huge for me. When I come here now it feels like home, it feels like I'm back in San Clemente. I have so many good people to hang out with here and we just have fun. Was there any advice about surfing here that you got along the way? The best advice was to respect the locals and I've always been conscious of that and making sure that I don't ruin their waves or anything like that. And, hopefully I can prove myself, then they'll give me a little room to catch my waves too.

Photos - Brian Bielmann

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Does it ever trip you out to see other visiting pros who really stick to themselves here, and haven't developed the type of relationships you have? You can definitely see the difference in confidence with people that have the relationships here and people that don't. Like paddling out at Pipeline for example. If you're going out there and you have no one to talk to, no friends out there, you kind of feel like an outlier, and that’s gonna make it even harder to get a wave. But, if you're talking with all the boys, and you're friends with everyone, when you're in the spot for a good one, they're gonna let you go. Right Seth? Seth Moniz : Not true, Haha! It's the most challenging lineup in the world to get waves, what's been your secret to finding so many epic ones? My secret to finding waves is just being out there longer than anyone else. What were some of the challenges to surfing here when you were younger? The biggest challenge for me was just always being nervous to burn one of the local guys and ruining their wave. So, I'd always be really scared about that. But now I feel I'm a lot better at knowing who's going and who's not going. Your brother Crosby seemed to really come into his own this season, what has that been like to see him take it to the next level? It's been really cool seeing my brother surfing as well as he is this season. We went to Indonesia together at the end of summer and his surfing went to a whole nother level on that trip. He brought that progression straight over here to Hawaii. It's really cool a lot of people are noticing. Is it like deja vu seeing his evolution? Yeah, it's full dejavu. I feel our progression has been really similar. Except for Crosby, he was a late bloomer. When he was like 14 years old, he wasn't very good, yet. Since then, he’s gotten really good from the time he was 16 years old, and on. We've become really competitive since. I used to give him a bunch of tips, but now I don't really do that anymore because he's so good. There's actually not many tips I can give them. It's more of a rivalry now. It’s competitive, but we have a lot of love and support for each other.

Pipeline. Photo - Brent Bielmann

My secret to finding waves is just being out there longer than anyone else.”

Seth Moniz, Pipeline. Photo - Brian Bielmann

Kona Johnson, Sunset Beach. Photo - Brian Bielmann

Photo - Brent Bielmann

Mike Dodd Photo - Brian Bielmann

Photo - Brian Bielmann

Conner Coffin, Hale’iwa. Photo - Brian Bielmann

Eli Olson, Pipeline. Photo - Brian Bielmann

Photo - Brian Bielmann

Photo - Brent Bielmann

Wyatt Mchale, Rocky Rights. Photo - Brent Bielmann

Billy Kemper, Backdoor. Photo - Brent Bielmann

Malia Manuel Photo - Brian Bielmann

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O’Neill Wetsuits Wetsuit sales have been up and we like what O’Neill has to offer the market. The company has it down to a science, hand-building prototypes, fit checking, and refining using the same process invented by Jack O’Neill over 67 years ago. O’Neills wetsuits offer flexibility, comfort, and durability with their incredibly innovative neoprene technologies that will keep you warm in all kinds of conditions.

Shop T&C Online Stay safe and shop from home! T&C makes it easy with their website, www.shop.tcsurf.com. Find all your favorite surfwear, apparel, and accessories without even leaving the couch. And while you’re there, don’t forget to check out the T&C Surf Custom Bottle Collection and all their new arrivals.

Pakaloha / Waimea One Piece One piece’s may have never truly disappeared but they have been making a comeback and Pakaloha has the perfect blend of sporty and sexy. The Waimea one piece is super cute and comes in a variety of colors and patterns. With a deep V cut front and open back, coverage and sex appeal collide in this full suit.

Volcom’s Eco-True Swim Collection In 2017, Volcom partnered with ECONYL to create the first Eco-True Swim collection. The collection utilizes water-saving printing techniques to decrease water waste and pollution, while also working with Econy and Repreve to upcycle materials from ghost nets, plastic water bottles, and other materials found in the ocean. 71% of the Volcom swim collection is Eco-True and it's all really cute so no longer do you need to feel torn between style and sustainability.

Black History, Made Every Day In conjunction with Black History Month, and to honor black history made everyday, Vans launched a limitedtime footwear collection in collaboration with four rising black artists: Rewina Beshue, Sydney G. James, Chris Martin, and Tony Whlgn. Each week the initiative showcased a new artist and highlighted their story and work. Additionally, Vans has donated $40,000 to the Black Art Futures Fund and was able to donate an additional $25,000 thanks to points collected from Vans Family members.

Remembering John Shimooka By Mike Latronic Photos Tom Servais

John Shimooka was a colorful charismatic surfing personality, a father, a husband and friend to many. “Shmoo,” as his friends would affectionately call him, tragically left this world in November of 2020. Shmoo was talented, good looking and had a good career as a pro which would later translate to multiple job roles in the industry after he stopped surfing competitively. Most recently he served as a World Surf League commentator and General Manager of Partnerships for Surfing New South Wales since 2018. Most who knew John would describe him as an outgoing, positively charged pro ambassador of the sport. He knew how to get busy, how to cut loose, and was a force to admire in social and professional settings. As an indication of his dedication to athletics Shimooka was also black a belt martial artist. Then there’s the well-founded good-natured rumor that John wasn’t all too bad on the dance floor either. Bottom line, his personality was fun and full of flair. Shimooka was remembered by fellow surf stars at a recent wake in Australia. Kelly Slater was there and said, “My heart goes out to everyone, we all miss Shmoo and love him…” John’s dad, Michael was unable to travel to Australia because of COVID-19, but spoke to the ceremony over video link. “Shmoo touched so many lives, he gave love,” his dad said. “He was the funniest person I ever met in my life. He touched so many lives… I was privileged to be his dad and he was special…I miss him dearly.”

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Maldives John Shimooka Hawaii Paddle Out With the recent passing of top Hawaii pro surfer John Shimooka, a large gathering of friends and family showed up on the south shore in an emotional but uplifting paddle out at one of his favorite surf spotsBig Rights. It was literally, “1-2, 1-2, with da Shmoo!” Organized by family and close friends Sean Yano, Keanu Asing, David Kawada, Trinko, Val Martrin and others, hundreds of people were in the ocean to say goodbye. Shmoo’s ashes were paddled out by canoe and it was suddenly and accidentally tipped in the ocean. After his ashes were recovered John was then taken out to Big Rights and laid to rest.

Pacifc Islands

His father, Mike Shimooka didn’t stress at all and was actually smiling as he suggested, “Just Like Shmoo, (always a prankster) to have the last laugh on everything!

From L to R: Bert Ishimaru, Cole Houshmand, Val Martin, Sean Yano, Keanu Asing, Mike Shimooka, Jason Magallanes

Indo

and more! Handpicked surf adventures since 1997 Reservation Specialist

Sean Walker

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Waikiki Beach Beach Gathering Gathering Next to to the the Waikiki WaikikiAquarium Aquarium Next

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INDUSTRY NOTES

30 x 30 We are One Ocean Another way we can all come together is to protect our ocean! The WSL has launched the We are One Ocean 30x30 campaign, calling on world leaders for the protection of 30% of the world’s ocean by 2030. Targets will be decided at an upcoming United Nations Convention and you can show your support for this global movement by signing the petition at weareoneocean.org

Vlog Wars Things have been heating up between vloggers Tina Cohen and Ben Gravy and we’re here for it! This past month Cohen has lived up to the title of “Novelty Queen,” but will she outnovelty Gravy, the novelty master?

T&C Surf Collaborates with Local Brewery to Release 50th Anniversary IPA T&C Surf is joining forces with local island brewery Honolulu Beerworks. The partnership brings together an ICONIC Hawaii Surf brand with a long and rich heritage with an award winning local craft brewery. No doubt these locally owned and operated businesses will continue to make waves well into the future. The limited-edition Surf Sessions IPA will be released on February 16th at Honolulu Beerworks and is available on tap or in 12 oz can 6-packs. Select local grocery stores in Hawaii will be retailing the IPA come early March.

Protect the Maldives Coastal development and infrastructure projects threaten some of the best surf spots in the Maldives. To ensure their wave resources are protected by the Maldivian Government, Save the Waves has partnered with a local organization, Save Our Waves Maldives, in a campaign to preserve the surf ecosystems. And you can take action too! Just go to www.savethewaves.org/maldives and join the campaign. You can sign a petition and help generate awareness by downloading and using the social media kit.

Rest in Paradise, Brad Masters Prominent Australian surf photographer, Brad Masters, tragically passed away in February after a difficult fight against a Bali infection. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family in these hard times. He will be remembered well, and his passion for life will live on through his photos.

The Stone Experiement Are you not afraid to try new things? Do you like to be creative? Are you down for this??? Volcom just launched a creative experiment and you can be a part of it. Sign up and get weird with it! Go to their website and download the Down For This creative kit #1 to begin experimenting.

Mokulele Airlines New Terminals Coming Soon A sneak peak of a few updates coming to Mokulele Honolulu terminal & a few refreshes coming to Kahului soon!

The GOATs of Surfing

March Birthdays

No, we aren’t talking about Slater… Central California coast native and goat Rancher, Dana Mcgregor, has been teaching his goats to surf. The reason? To bring hope and healing to a broken nation. No matter what your political beliefs may be, we can all come together to appreciate some surfing goats.

Thia month we’d like to wish a happy birthday to Maui Pro winner, Tyler Wright, big wave legend, Laird Hamilton, San Clemente native, Kolohe Andino, and Brazilian, Jadson Andre!

808.792.8333 “True love is finding happiness in making the people you love happy.” 808-792-8333

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"Thank you Dave at Shoreline PT for getting me healthy as fast as possible, so I can keep doing what I love" -Torrey Meister

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Surf with a smile

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L A S T

L O O K

The timeless poise and positioning of Kalani Chapman in this Pipeline beast is something that only comes from the countless hours he’s spent learning the many faces of the world’s most challenging wave. Kalani standing tall in the belly of the beast. Photo - Brian Bielmann

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