FREE OctV19N92022 next GENERATION
Jackson Bunch Photo Brent Bielmann
LUCAS DIRKSE
FIND REFUGE IN THE SEA
©2022Inc.Vans,
Watching the top juniors surf is like having a look into the future. Caity Simmers, has made critical maneuvers like this, which were once outstanding, commonplace. The future is now! Photo - Ryan Miller
FREE PARKING
Art Director
Editorial Publisher Mike Latronic Editor Andrew Oliver Photo Director
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.
A product of Manulele, Inc. 2022
Brian Bielmann
Chuck Hendsch (619) 227-9128
E-mail editorial inquiries to info@freesurfmagazine.com
Cora Sanchez (808) 638-7395
Brent Bielmann, Mike Latronic, Aukai Ng, Andrew Oliver, John Weaver
Contributing Writers
Business Administration
Staff Shooters
FREESURF MAGAZINE is distributed at most fine surf shops and select specialty stores throughout Hawai‘i, Southern California. Subscribe at freesurfmagazine.com
Alex Heil, Dooma Photos, Dayanidhi Das, Kurt Steinmetz, Mike Ito, Nick Gruen, Ryan Miller, Tommy Pierucki, Eric Baeseman, Ryan “Chachi” Craig, Christa Funk, Sarah Lee, Sean Evans, Tai Vandyke
West Coast Distribution & Sales
Wholesale Inquiries & Hawai‘i Distribution (808) 638-7395
One-way correspondence can be sent to P.O. Box 1161, Hale‘iwa, HI 96712
Aukai Ng, Rebecca Parsons
Contributing Photographers
John Weaver
TABLE OF CONTENTS 8 Free Parking 16 Cover Story 18 Editor's Note 20 News & Events 28 Powerhouse Junior Women 36 Kelis Kaleopa’a 40 Aperture 52 The World Champion Trio 60 Industry Notes 66 Last Look
Photo Mike Latronic
FIND RAINBOW® SANDALS AT THESE RETAILERS SURF N SEA, HAWAII SURF AND SAIL, BARNFIELDS RAGING ISLE, POIPU SURF, BACKDOOR SURF, FUNCTION SURF, FLIP FLOP SHOPS WAIKIKI INTERNATIONAL MARKETPLACE, ALOHA BOARD SHOP, LAHAINA SUNGLASS CO, ALOHA EXCHANGE, ISLAND HEMP & COTTON CO, ADVENTURE SPORTS MAUI. PATAGONIA HALEIWA, PATAGONIA HONOLULU, BILLABONG HANALEI,FLIP FLOP SHOPS KAUAI, KAI ALOHA, WORLD CORE AND KIHEI PARADISE. WWW.RAINBOWSANDALS.COM FOR LONGTHERIDE ...
FEATURES Scan code for an JamExclusiveSession Brought to you by FEATURING Tavana & Mike Love These Powerhouse Junior Women Are Proof That Age is Just a Number28 36Kaleopa’aKelisThe World Champion Trio52
There was an insane amount of people out when I lucked into this wave from deep. Time slows down and senses heighten when you get a good barrel at pipe. This wave gave me a lot of time to get steezy as I flew by Brent in the spot, nailing the shot. So stoked!
Last winter was amazing for Pipeline. Learning and surfing with the best surfers at Pipeline has helped me catch some of the best waves of my life. Dialing in my equipment with my shaper Glenn Minami and spending a lot of time in the water has helped me tune into moments and waves like this. My memory from this day, Brent Bielmann and I had been working together for Quiksilver and found ourselves at the Quik house with Pipeline doing its thing.
COVER STORY By Jackson Bunch
Photo Brian Bielmann
In this issue, we celebrate some of the very best 18 and under surfers, the groms who have taken life by the reins and are charging (quite literally) full steam ahead. This elite group, and the countless other groms out there, who are pursuing their passion for surfing day in and day out will very likely look back on their “wonder years” with nothing but adoration. There may be fleeting regrets for waves they pulled back on or sessions they missed, but by and large these young surfers live at a level of full-froth. What a blessing to find something worth obsessing over so early on, as there are many who drift through life never finding their true passion.
EDITOR'S NOTE
There are those among us who reflect on their youth with regret. Regret for chances not taken, dreams unfulfilled, and days not lived to their fullest. For others, their early years are the best of their lives—filled with moments of joy which they seek to recreate throughout adulthood. For surfers, at least to some extent, the latter is generally true. Surfing is a pastime that most certainly keeps us young at heart, so it’s no wonder that we give such attention to the youth. Surfing constantly presents us with scenarios in which the outcome is unknown; it’s one of the things that keep us forever drawn to it But, there is no other time in our lives, like the narrow span in the beginning, that affords us such a bounty of new opportunities and challenges. The lessons we learn from chances taken, regardless of their outcomes, play a large part in shaping the people and surfers we become.
By Andrew Oliver
18
Much like parents who see the world through their children's eyes, for those of us who have graduated out of grommethood, we live vicariously through the young rippers whose cutting edge surfing and increasingly distant athleticism, defies our understanding of what’s possible on a board. For this editor of a certain age, it’s a strange thing when your surfing idols are increasingly younger than you. But we celebrate nonetheless, because in surfing, youth is not wasted on the young.
Wasted Youth?
go with the flow go with the flow
Visit us at our Kona Brewing Hawaii locations in Kailua-Kona or on Oahu.
Mahalo for drinking responsibly. Kona brewing hawaii
©2022
Fire Rock Pale Ale was one of Hawaii’s first craft beers brewed in 1994 and still a local favorite in Hawaii. Fire Rock Pale Ale is crisp and refreshing. Its signature copper color results from the unique blend of specialty roasted malts.
The day also belonged to 27-year-old, Ubatuba, Brazil competitor Toledo who has spent the previous nine years among the world’s best. Qualifying for the CT in 2013, Toledo’s career has accounted for some of the sport’s wildest highlights from his Perfect 10s across the globe to 13-career CT event victories, and now adding the prestigious World Title.
Filipe Toledo and Stephanie Gilmore / World Title at the Rip Curl WSL Finals Photo by Thiago Diz/WSL
Domination and determination were the themes of the day as World No. 5 Gilmore made her way up from the bottom of the bracket to the top, taking out World No. 4 Brisa Hennessy (CRI), No. 3 Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA), and No. 2 Johanne Defay (FRA) en route to the Title Match where she defeated World No. 1 Carissa Moore
title race finished with a Title Match for the books, featuring two surfing legends, seven-time WSL Champion Gilmore and five-time WSL Champion Moore going head-to-head in a best-of-three World Title Showdown. Gilmore continued her momentum, winning the first of the three matches and leaving Moore in a do or die situation. In the Title Match 2, Gilmore proved to be unstoppable, picking the best waves and putting her trademark style on full display. In an emotional finish, Gilmore not only became the 2022 World Champion, but the greatest female surfer of all time with a record breaking eight World Titles.
This time last year, it was glory for Moore to the ring of being a five-time WSL Champion. But, one of the sport's greatest couldn't find her rhythm with the ocean in the Title Match as her attempts to overthrow Gilmore's dominant form
An immaculate run from World Title runner-up, Ferriera, witnessed the 2019 WSL Champion surge through each match with his signature flair and power. The Brazilian powerhouse started his Finals Day charge against World Title threat, Southern California's own and Japanese representative, Kanoa Igarashi in men's Match 1. Ferreira then took a commanding win over one of the CT's best styles of Ethan Ewing (AUS) before moving into a heavily-anticipate Match 3 with World No. 2 Jack Robinson (AUS).
But, one of 2022's standout performers, Robinson, couldn't find the opportunities to fight back against Ferriera and the Brazilian gave everything he had in the Title Match, best twoof-three face-off with Toledo.
Filipe Toledo Realizes Dream of Maiden World Title / Stephanie Gilmore Wins Record-setting Eighth Surfing World Title
“It doesn’t get much better than this,” said Toledo. “This is for Brazil, for my family, and for you all here. First of all I want to thank Jesus. What he did for all my life and the last week, and the entire year. I kept calm and collected with help from the guy up there. Last night we had a moment with Pastor John, Terry, my wife and whole family and two words that he gave to us were peace and power. That’s what I had all day.”
20
Stephanie Gilmore Photo Pat Nolan/WSL
“There really are not many words that can describe this feeling right now and that’s why I now really love this format. It puts the pressure on you, it puts you under the pump, can you do it, it’s truly incredible.”
NEWS & EVENTS
The men’s Title Match finished out the day with an in-form Italo Ferreira (BRA), charging from the first heat of the day, and Toledo taking the stage. Toledo was the first competitor of the day able to take down Ferreira in the first match of three, inching his way closer to the World Title. The final match of the day was a close one with each competitor left it all on the table in the final and closest match of the day. In the end, Toledo emerged victorious and finally claimed his maiden WSL World Title.
The(HAW).women’s
fell short each ride. It marked nothing short of an incredible season for the 28-year-old who earned four Finals appearance in the 2022 CT season and had a dominant lead in points head into the Rip Curl WSL Finals.
Now, Moore heads into the break to reflect on an incredible year and see what 2023 holds in store for the five-time WSL Champion.
For highlights from the 2022 Rip Curl WSL Finals, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
Tatiana West-Webb
Kanoa I garashi
Jack Rob ins o n JhoanneDefay
CAR ARDS THAT GET PROSTO
FilipeToledo
! EDE
initiative.NEWS & EVENTS 22
The Duke’s OceanFest Returns to Waikiki for Its 20th Anniversary
By Rebecca Parsons
Duke was a waterman through and through but is perhaps best known for helping to spread surfing worldwide and is often regarded as the “father of modern surfing.” He’s also well-known for his swimming accolades. In the 1912 Olympics, Duke set a world record and won a gold medal in the 100-meter freestyle and a silver in the 200-meter freestyle relay. In the 1920 Olympics, he won golds in both the 100-meter and 200-meter relays and in the 1924 Olympics, he took home a silver medal in the 100-meter freestyle. Although Duke never had the chance to compete in surfing in the Olympics, surfing made its debut in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo thanks to his
The Duke’s OceanFest was founded in 2002 in commemoration of Duke Kahanamoku and to celebrate the issuance of a Duke Kahanamoku stamp by the U.S. Postal Service. What began as a one-day celebration has since grown into eight-days of non-stop fun and action. The festival is all about celebrating Duke’s life, athletic contributions, and spirit through an array of lifestyle sports that pay homage to Duke and the Hawaiian culture.
AVAILABLE AT THESE PARTICIPATING RETAILERS: HIC – T&C SURF SHOP – DEJAVU SURF – HI-TECH SPORTS – SURF N SEA – OSHIMA SURF – LOCAL MOTION O’NEILL INC. 2022 | US.ONEILL.COM
TORREY MEISTER
PHOTO: BRODIE DOYLE
This year, the Duke’s OceanFest was more exciting than ever returning after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic. It is also the first OceanFest since surfing’s debut in the Olympics and the stoke level was at an all-time high. Crowds gathered on the beach in Waikiki to watch the action and events included surfing, swimming, paddleboard racing, menehune surfing, surfing water polo, beach volleyball, a dog surfing competition, and foil surfing for the first time.
MAUI • HUNTINGTON BEACH • KAUAI • LA JOLLA • MALIBU • WAIKIKI NEWS & EVENTS
“Duke is absolutely massive to our surfing lifestyle—he’s an Olympic swimmer and a modern-day god of Hawaiian surfing,” says legendary pro surfer Ezra Rodrigues. “In Hawaiian and surfing lifestyle he has cut and paved so much and put Hawaii on the map. Duke went through so much and held so much in his heart—he was an amazing man.”
IS HONORED TO SUPPORT THE RETURN OF THE
Mahalo to the City & County of Honolulu for sharing the love for the ocean with our keiki.
Re-Issue
KEANU
ASING “SURFING WITH ALOHA SINCE 1977” ALA MOANA CENTER KOKO WAIKELEWINDWARDMARINAMALLCENTER HYATT REGENCY WAIKIKI LAHAINA GATEWAY HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA
Collection
3 WAIKIKI LOCATIONS!
Kai Coffee Hawaii Lobby Bar at Alohilani Resort
Hours: 6:00AM-11:00AM HST, 7 days a week
“This is our 20th year of Duke’s OceanFest but we’ve been off for three years,” says contest organizer Kelli Bullock Hergert. “It’s really meaningful to be back with the community, the athletes, the family members, and all the people we haven’t seen in so long and bring everybody back to celebrating Duke Kahanamoku and get back in the water together.”
Kai Coffee Hawaii Hyatt Regency Waikiki 2424 Kalakaua Avenue, #130 Honolulu, Hawaii 96815 (808) 923-1700
HAND-CRAFTED ALOHA IN EVERY CUP®
NEWS & EVENTS
Hours: 6:00AM - 5:00PM HST (UTC-10), 7 days a week
Kai Coffee Hawaii at Alohilani Resort 2490 Kalakaua Ave, Suite #131 Honolulu, Hawaii 96815 (808) 926-1131
kaicoffeehawaii.com
Hours: 6:00AM - 5:00PM HST (UTC-10), 7 days a week
“If Duke could foil, I think he would because he was one of the first original, true waterman of the sport and being a waterman means that you do every sport and every aspect of the ocean is something you participate in,” says Waikiki’s Jack Ho. “I think he would be more than happy to participate and recreate his legendary wave from outside Castles to the shore of Waikiki.”
Gnarwall Surf Shop 315 Uluniu St, Kailua, HI 96734 (808) 492-1000 kailuasurfshop.com Your Kailua Surf Shop Cruz Lemes
As kids, many of us can admit to dreaming of becoming a professional athlete. While it’s a pipe dream for most, it’s a realistic possibility for a select few. But even for the young prodigies, most don’t enter the professional scene until after they’ve graduated high school and are deemed an adult by society. But with every rule, there’s always and exception and this year, there were three big ones: Bettylou Sakura Johnson, Luana Silva, and Caitlin Simmers.
BettyLou Sakura Johnson, Photo - Brian Bielmann
These Powerhouse Junior Women Are Proof That Age is Just a Number
By Rebecca Parsons
Caity Simmers, Photo - Ryan “Chachi” Craig
Luana Silva, Photo - Mike Latronic
BettyLou Sakura Johnson, Photo - Mike Latronic
30
orn and raised on the North Shore of Oahu, Sakura Johnson and Silva grew up surfing and competing against each other. While both showed promise of successful surfing careers and had their sights set on someday qualifying for the Championship Tour, neither expected qualification to come so early in life. At the 2021 Haleiwa Challenger, the final stop of the Challenger Series, both teens surfed beyond the years. Sakura Johnson defeated five-time world champ Carissa Moore to take the win and Silva made it to the quarterfinals, providing both young women the points they needed to qualify for the 2022 Championship Tour.
B
Caity Simmers, Photo - Ryan “Chachi” Craig
“It happened so fast,” says Sakura Johnson. “I’m just going with the flow and making the best of it. I’m doing it now and hopefully it’s showing the next generation that they can do it as well—you should never not push your limits.”
Luana Silva, Photo - Ryan Miller
Freesurf Magazine is the USA’s only monthly publication dedicated to surfing. Subscribe by November 1, 2022 and get automatically entered to win a custom short board (poly / clear) by Lost Apparel & Surfboards with FCS or FUTURE fin set up. If you are the lucky winner, you also get a $250 Lost Apparel & Surfboards gift code.
Packed with amazing images and stories, get the pure stoke of Freesurf delivered to your door every month! Subscribe!
andSubscribeget
BettyLou Sakura Johnson, Photo - Ryan “Chachi” Craig
“It was surreal,” says Silva. “I felt like everything was happening so fast and I didn’t realize what I had accomplished at such a young age. I was so grateful to be there and be surfing with my heroes and make all those cool relationships and connections.”
M
ost rookie years are tough, but with the WSL’s introduction of the new mid-season cut, Sakura Johnson and Silva had a more challenging rookie year than most. Both women put in their best effort but fell short when it came to making the cut.
“It was such a cool experience being on the tour for the first year and qualifying at seventeen years old,” says Silva. “With this mid-year cut it was difficult to process everything. I was still celebrating being on tour at stop number four and then when I lost, it felt like my dreams were taken from me. It was hard to process but it was a fun learning experience.”
BettyLou Sakura Johnson, Photo - Mike Latronic
“It’s weird,” says Simmers. “I don’t consider myself a pro surfer—it just sounds too serious because surfing is still such a fun thing for me. In the future, I want to inspire people to have fun and shred through surf videos but for now, I’m just trying to enjoy Thissurfing.”year,
So far, her best has been pretty darn good. She opened the season by winning the Gold Coast Pro and has been comfortably sitting at the top of the rankings since. Qualifying for the CT is almost a given, but whether she’ll choose to compete on it is still up in the air.
After falling short of the cut line, both Sakura-Johnson and Silva joined the Challenger Series in hopes of finishing in the final five and requalifying for the tour. But the Championship Tour isn’t the only place with an impressive display of young talent. On the CS, sixteen-year-old Caitlin Simmers has been turning heads.
Sakura Johnson won the US Open of Surfing, putting her in a good position to requalify for the tour. Silva is sitting close behind but will need a few more solid finishes to secure her spot. The level of professional surfing continues to get pushed each year with each new crop of young surfers bringing something new to the table. Regardless of if Sakura Johnson, Silva, and Simmers compete on the CT next year, all have bright futures ahead of them.
In 2021, Simmers won the US Open of Surfing. She rounded out the season in fourth place, allowing her to qualify for the 2022 CT. She ultimately chose not to accept the invitation and stick to the CS
“Iinstead.chose
not to do the tour because I didn’t think I was ready and wanted to improve my surfing and spend time at home with friends and family,” says Simmers. “My goal this year is to do some trips and get barreled. I’m just going to do my best on the CS and go from there.”
“It’s cool that there are all these younger girls out there watching us on TV and getting to qualify and experience this,” says Silva. “I’m stoked to see all the younger girls push the limits harder than what we were doing when I was growing up.”
Luana Silva, Photo - Mike Latronic
Caity Simmers, Photo - Ryan “Chachi” Craig
In addition to having plenty of waves on offer, Kaleopa’a has a solid crew that she regularly surfs with in Waikiki. Her crews consists of her cousin Kaniela Stewart and her best friends Tiki Willis, Keani Canullo, Sophia Culhane, and the talented pack of groms that frequent Queens. Kaleopa’a appreciates her crew because she says they push each other and cheer each other on, helping them all to become better surfers.
Kelis Kaleopa’a was destined to be a surfer. Her mom and dad surf. Her grandma surfs. Her cousins surf. And she grew up in Waikiki. So naturally, when she was old enough to swim, she took to the sea.
Like many professional surfers, Kaleopa’a has her sights set on winning a world title. The seventeen-year-old missed the first stop of the World Longboarding Tour to attend her great grandmother’s funeral. Kaleopa’a values family above all else and despite the impact the decision could have on her chances at a world title, it’s one she will never regret.
Although Oahu is home to tons of amazing surf breaks, Kaleopa’a tends to stick to Waikiki. She’ll occasionally venture to Ala Moana Bowls or head north but for the most part, she’s satisfied sticking as close to home as possible.
Kaleopa’a remembers competing in her first competition when she was eight years old. By the time she was fourteen, she was competing on the World Longboarding Tour. While most kids stray towards shortboarding, Kaleopa’a’s heart has always been with longboarding. Growing up in Waikiki, she was surrounded by longboarders her entire life and loves that the sport pays homage to her roots and Hawaii’s kings and queens who used to ride giant boards.
“It’s always good to mix it up. If you surf the same place every day and it stays the same, it’s not going to benefit you,” says Kaleopa’a. “But we get very lucky at Queens because we have three to four different waves—it always changes and it’s never the same.”
By Rebecca Parsons Photos by Tommy Pierucki
“We’re such water people,” says Kaleopa’a. “In Hawaii, you’re surrounded by the ocean— there’s nothing else for you to do. The beach, the ocean, they’ve been a part of all our lives since the beginning.”
Vying for the World Longboarding Title in Malibu
“I’ve had a love/hate relationship with Malibu all my life,” says Kaleopa’a. “Some contests I’ll do really good and some contests I’ll do really bad. I just have to get in tune with her this time, especially with the world title on the line.”
“I love travelling with Kani—he’s my cousin but he’s also one of my best friends,” says Kaleopa’a. “Both of us winning the world title would be a dream come true. Being from the same place, the same town, and the same family—it would mean so much for us to bring it back home for everybody.”
“I didn’t get where I’m at now because of myself,” says Kaleopa’a. “People have helped me get to where I am. I have to give back to the people that helped me and say thank you because without them, I wouldn’t be here.”
Although Kaleopa’a wants to surf for the rest of her life, she doesn’t plan on competing forever. She hopes to win a few world titles and then move on to other things. Fresh out of high school, Kaleopa’a is considering college but ultimately, her dream is to open a farm and grow produce for her community and her family. And surf. She plans on doing a lot of surfing.
Heading into Malibu, Kaleopa’a’s cousin, Kaniela Stewart is also in contention for the men’s world title. Currently, he’s sitting in the number one position, so the cousins could bring back some serious wins for both Hawaii and their family.
If Kaleopa’a were to win the title, it wouldn’t just be for herself but for her entire community. Without her parents, aunties, and uncles, she wouldn’t be the person or the surfer she is today, so the win, she says, would be for them just as much as it would be for her.
Despite missing the first stop of the tour, Kaleopa’a proved that she wasn’t messing around when she paddled out at the Vans Duct Tape Invitational in Sayulita, Mexico, ultimately winning the event. A few months later, at the Vans Duct Tape Invitation in Huntington Beach, California, Kaleopa’a found herself in the final against three-time world champ Honolua Blomfield. Kaleopa’a put on an epic performance, ultimately claiming the win and putting herself in a position to be a potential title contender despite her late season start. The season will ultimately come down to her performance at the Cuervo Classic Malibu Longboard Championship.
HELPING YOU BUILD WEALTH THROUGH REAL ESTATE ©2022 Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Advantage Realty North Shore. Better Homes and Gardens® is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation licensed to Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC. Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. An Independently Owned and Operated Franchise. Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Advantage Realty North Shore are affiliates of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Advantage Realty. 808-637-1500 | HALEIWA STORE LOTS 66-111 KAMEHAMEHA HWY., UNIT #902, HALEIWA, HI 96712 BETTERHAWAII.COM KARIN MOODY Realtor, Owner, Principle Broker 808.392.7410RB-19578 MEME MOODY Realtor,808.741.3835RB-22780Broker-In-Charge NOEL MARCHAN 808.282.0949Realtor-AssociateRS-73977 TRISH KIM 808.221.4200Realtor-AssociateRS-80643 JUSTIN CENTEIO 808.220.4685Realtor-AssociateRS-82219 ALEKSANDRA MARTINS 808.979.5611Realtor-AssociateRS-79671 NATHAN AMATORE 808.780.2381Realtor-AssociateRS-83694 KRISTIN SALCIDO 808.692.6751Realtor-AssociateRS-82739 MICHAEL PIEKLO 808.551.6740Realtor-AssociateRS-79930
APERTURE
There are moments in surfing that you experience as a grom that stick with you for the rest of your life. Kauai’s hard-charging brotherly duo of Mananalu and Legend Chandler (pictured here) amassed a bounty of lifelong memories this past winter at Pipe and Backdoor, as they both charged the infamous peak with fearlessness and skill well beyond their years.
Photo - Brent Bielmann
Hilo’s Diesel Butts has one of the most powerful backside attacks in the game. Putting his weapon to use on the North Shore. Photo - Ryan “Chachi” Craig
Luke Tema and Jackson Dorian, Photo - Ryan “Chachi” Craig
Blayr Barton Photo - Mike Latronic
Cole McCaffrey Photo - Mike Latronic
Jackson Dorian has a nearly unrivaled consistency to maneuvers like this. It’s just another day in the skatepark. Photo - Pete Frieden
Photo - Tai Van Dyke
Poised like a seasoned vet. Luke Tema threading a hefty Pipe bowl.
What really sets apart the groms of the North Shore is the scale of waves on which they're surfing is so much larger than just about anywhere else. Nalu Deodato (top left), Shion Crawford (bottom left), Luke Swanson (right) full-throttle way beyond the fun zone. Photos - Mike Latronic, Brian Bielmann, Ryan “Chachi” Craig
Ah, the joys of youth. Pua DeSoto capping off what is likely the third session of the day with a lip-bash just past sunset. Photo - Tai Van Dyke
H ITECHSURFSPORTS EST1982 · MAUIHIYEARS 40 808-877-2111 || @hitechsurf DAYANIHDI PHOTO JACKSONBUNCH
The World Champion Trio Ēwe Wong, Luke Swanson, and Erin Brooks
The event fields four world individual champions—with divisions in Under 16 & 18 in both girls and boys—along with a team champion for the highest placing surfing nation. This year, three of the four individual world champions are young surfers who call Hawai’i home. Ēwe Wong, the Girls Under 18 Champion, Luke Swanson, the Boys Under 18 Champion, and Erin Brooks, who surfed under the Canadian flag but resides in Hawai’i, was the Girls Under 16 Champion.
The marathon aspect of the ISAs is a bit of a holdover from generations before, as the peak of the competitive surfing pyramid has been steadily migrating to a quality over quantity framework. For example, the WSL’s introduction of the mid-year cutoff and the one-day World Champion deciding event at Lower Trestles. However, the lengthy soul-crushing grind of the ISA event is one of the main reasons its champions are so highly regarded. To have the stamina to perform at your very best in such a pressure cooker situation for a week straight is a feat that only true World champions are capable of.
By Andrew Oliver Photos - ISA, Sean Evans, Jersson Barboza, and Pablo Franco
Earlier this summer, the ISA World Junior Championships returned after nearly three years of postponement due to the pandemic. Frothed out groms from around the world gathered at the right hand point breaks of El Salvador to decide who is the best among them. The ISAs is likely the most grueling contest in surfing. With eight days of competition and a double elimination system, the event presents all the traditional challenges of competitive surfing with a heaping test of endurance lobbed on top.
52
All sports have stories of breakout performers and their successes—one of the great things about junior surfing is how quickly things can change in terms of who are considered the dominant performers. Each surfer hits their stride at different times and with competitive surfing, so much of one's success is dependent on their state of mind. It's incredible to see when things start really clicking for a competitor and their confidence compounds on itself. Generally, this is a gradual trajectory over the span of years, but occasionally it can be condensed within one deciding event.
Ēwe Wong
The young, regular foot is blessed with a smooth style and crisp powerful rail work—two fundamental aspects of surfing which are nearly impossible to teach come naturally to Ēwe. While there have been some significant competitive accomplishments for her on the state and national level, she definitely came onto the world stage as an unknown entity. To have the fortitude to perform so brilliantly in her first major international competition is a sure sign of great things to come.
Oahu, HI
For those familiar with Oahu’s Ēwe Wong, you’d be hard pressed to label her a breakout star, as her talent on a surfboard has been clear for some time. Coupled with her modest and friendly demeanor, her deep devotion to her native Hawaiian language and culture, Ēwe has always had the pedigree of a champion and ambassador for Hawai’i.
Girls U18 ISA World Junior Champion
Photo - Ryan “Chachi” Craig
began in El Salvador at the ISA World Junior Championships. The event was mainly held in tricky right-hand pointbreak conditions. On paper, not the ideal conditions for the young goofy foot, who’s widely known for his front-hand punts. Despite the odds stacked against him, Luke was able to soar to victory by applying the same confidence he has in his explosive freesurfing to the challenges of international competition. Luke’s viral moments of the last few years have made him one of the most recognizable young talents on the planet, adding a junior world title to his achievements backs up the well warranted hype with some serious legitimacy.
If you follow North Shore’s Luke Swanson on social media, you would have noticed he’s enjoyed an extended sabbatical in Indonesia this summer. And in what has become a regular thing for Luke, he has dropped some of the most viral clips of the summer, taking his fearless aerial approach to the shallow Indonesian reefs. Luke’s surfing has always been defined by a unique relaxedness in extreme situations, but the clips he’s shared from his tropical vacation have highlighted a new level of command and ease—the possible perks of being a newly crowned world junior Luke’schampion.summer
Photo - Ryan Miller
Oahu,SwansonLukeHI
Boys U18 ISA World Junior Champion
Mokulele Surf Team Rider
Vaihiti Inso 128 Daily Inter-Island Flights!128 Daily Inter-Island Flights!
The Best Way to Surf More Hawai'i
Young Erin Brooks has made a habit of breaking the mold, redefining what we conceive possible for surfers of her age and gender. One of the few young surfers who may have Luke Swanson beat in terms of virality, Erin has dropped countless “internet breaking” clips of her driving through gnarly reef break barrels and stomping uber-technical airs. With her diminutive frame and innocent smile, Erin could easily be mistaken for your typical surfing ingenue, but her hyper-talent and fearless approach have upended what we would expect from someone of her years and stature. Her surfing is like a flyweight being able to comfortably compete in the heavyweight class. Case and point, her finals appearance among an otherwise all male contingent in waves of serious consequence at the Padang Padang Cup this summer.
Coming into the ISA World Junior Championships, expectations for Erin could not have been higher. While the North Shore of Oahu is her current home, Erin’s Canadian heritage allowed her to surf under the maple leaf banner. While Canada doesn't have the same competitive history as the traditional surfing powerhouse nations of Australia, USA, and Brazil, it could afford Erin a very likely path into the next Olympics. With a junior gold medal now in her pocket, an Olympic gold is the next logical next step.
Oahu,BrooksErinHI
Photo - Ryan Miller
Girls U16 ISA World Junior Champion
58
By Mike Latronic
“We (were) thrilled to return to Orlando this summer with an extensive and impressive list of brands to help retailers fulfill all their buying needs,” said Roy Turner, Surf Expo senior vice president and show director. “Coastal and beach related categories have been in high demand the past two years, and with our increased list of exhibitors, we look forward to introducing buyers to new brands as well as offering them a productive environment to connect with their existing brand partners.”
While there's still cause for concern from the lingering and evolving Corona Virus and supply chain issues continue to wreak havoc on production and forecasting, it's quite apparent that adjustments have been made and the "new normal" still includes human riding waves with all their favorite gear and equipment. With over 600 exhibitors at this September Surf Expo you could find all of it!
Head to Surfexpo.com for further information or to inquire about the next show upcoming in January 2023.
INDUSTRY NOTES 60
Surf Expo is indeed the premier watersports and coastal lifestyle trade show in the USA. After several challenging years of pandemic lockdowns, travel bans and supply chain issues, the event made its return this Sept. 8-10 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando Florida.
SURF EXPO
RENTALS • LESSONS • SALES
Moku Rider: Hayden Photo by: @3fishes
Now four convenient locations... Waikiki, Hale’iwa, Long Beach NY, Playa Jobos, Isabela, www.mokuhawaii.surfPR The Seas Are Rising And So Are We Learn, Volunteer or Donate www.surfrider.orgPhoto|LukeShadbolt
Gabriela Bryan named rookie of the year. She was the only rookie on the women’s side to make it past the mid-season cut and finished the year in ninth place, meaning she will be back on tour next year.
Former pro surfer and RVCA co-founder Conan Hayes accused of leaking election documents from both Colorado and Michigan. According to The Washington Post, “In an affidavit first reported by the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel, an investigator for the district attorney in Mesa County, Colo., alleged that Hayes worked with local officials there to copy elections software in May 2021.”
Billabong hosts women’s first Athlete Sustainability Summit at Gold Coast Farm in Orange County. At the event, Lex Weinstein, the brand’s sustainability ambassador, led the athletes in a workshop where they shared their thoughts and experiences on this critical topic. Sea and Soil, WSL Pure, The Surfrider Foundation, and Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii shared the latest from their organizations and how to get involved while the guests enjoyed a beautiful farm to table dinner.
Chouinard doesn’t get a tax break for the move. Instead, he will pay about $17.5 million in taxes on the gift of shares to the trust. The family will no longer receive any profits from the
INDUSTRY NOTES 62
Last month, the Chouinard family transferred all of the company’s voting stock into the newly established Patagonia Purpose Trust. Family members and their advisors will oversee the trust, which will ensure the company continues its focus on social responsibility. Unlike the Holdfast Collective, the trust will have decision-making power over the company.
is to put any profit not reinvested into the company towards fighting climate change. He claims that will amount to about $100 million per year, depending on how well the company performs.
Patagonia’s billionaire founder, Yvon Chouinard, has given his company away to the Earth.
Red Bull Foam Wreckers “anti-surf” surf contest returned to San Clemente, California. Founded by Jamie O’Brien, the contest was open to all and only foam surfboards were allowed. The unconventional surf contest went down in early August and included solo rides, tandem rides, and lots of fun prizes.
15-year-old Erin Brooks made the final at the 2022 Rip Curl Cup Padang, taking fourth in the event. Of the sixteen competitors, Brooks was the only female and is the youngest person to ever compete in the event. She also claimed the win in the women’s super heat, due to her impressive tube riding skills.
Dylan Graves partners with Hayden Shapes to launch a new surfboard entitled the “Weird Series” as an ode to his web show, Weird Waves. According to Graves, the Weird Series is for “the weird, the wonderful, and the great waves that might come your way.”
Instead of selling Patagonia and donating the profit to charity, or taking the company public, Chouinard has given the $3-billion outdoor fashion brand to a trust and a TheHoldfastorganization,nonprofitcalledtheCollective.goal,saysChouinard,
John John Florence named one of 2022’s “Most Creative People in Business” by Fast Company, a business-focused media platform. According to Fast Company, “Florence Marine X, which launched in May 2021, is part of an independent company (called Kandui Holdings) and is focused on producing highly technical gear that stands up to the gnarliest of conditions—made responsibly and designed to specifications Florence wasn’t finding elsewhere.
Kauai’scompany.
The fifth annual US Open Adaptive Surfing Championships went down in Oceanside, California. From September 8-11, the world’s best adaptive surfers gathered to show their skills and demonstrated that surfing has no limits.
WINSTON RHEA BRITTANY
Five-time world champion and Olympic gold medalist Carissa Moore celebrates her 30th birthday on August 27th with family and friends. NOTES
The World Dog Surfing Championships went down on August 6th at Pacifica Beach, California. Spectators lined the beach to watch the action and while all the dogs were impressive, Santa Cruz’s Skyler Henard walked away victorious. In addition to surfing, the event included a dog costume contest, pet adoptions, and a “yappy hour.”
Patagonia’s new film, The Yin and Yang of Gerry Lopez, directed by Stacy Peralta premiered at the Mae Zenke Orvis Auditorium in Honolulu. The film documents Lopez’s life as a surfer, shaper, entrepreneur, family man, movie star, and lifelong yogi and gives never before seen glimpses into Mr. Pipeline’s life.
Paka Apparel partners with Leah Dawson to launch a new line of sustainable clothing. The Breathe line is 100% Earth-friendly, 0% plastic activewear made from alpaca fiber. The collection includes men’s and women’s hoodies, jackets, and joggers.
Kelia Moniz partnered with Roxy to launch her fifth activewear collection. The collection dropped on August 24th and features “sporty styles in pastel hues for every woman—at every phase of her life.” The collection campaign photos were shot by Moniz’s husband, Joe Termini.
Dane Reynolds drops new surf film: Glad You Scored.
In addition to Reynolds, the all-star cast includes Dylan Graves, Eithan Osborne, Holly Wawn, Harry Bryant, and Wade Goodall and it’s certainly worth a watch.
INDUSTRY
Hawaii hits pre-pandemic number of visitors. According to preliminary visitor statistics released by the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT), 919,154 tourists visited at least one of the Hawaiian Islands in July, a 92.4% recovery from July 2019.
Alison Teal launches new TEDx Talk: The Most Important Thing to Pack on Life’s Adventure. In the talk, Teal explains how something as a simple as a smile has helped propel her life as an explorer, author, conservationist, and award winning filmmaker.
In partnership with Brisa Hennessy, Vertra drops new Charcoal Cleansing Bar. The new bar is “strong enough to tackle stubborn, water-resistant sunscreen, but with its low pH and sulfate free formula, it’s perfect for daily use and super friendly for your face and body.”
1441 Kapiolani boulevard suite 907, honolulu, hawaii 96814 808 955 0058 BE SUPERHUMAN Superhuman Health Technologies & Therapies Corner of 1001 Waimanu St and Cummins St in Kaka ako Honolulu Tel 561 4734 | superhumanhi com CRYOTHERAPY INFRARED SAUNA NANOVI™ NORMATEC COMPRESSION THERAPY HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY MASSAGE THERAPIES ACUPUNCTURE CUPPING THERAPIES FASCIAL STRETCH THERAPY HEALTH COACHING DETOX PROTOCOLS 808.792.8333 HIautoAccident.com 808-792-8333 “The danger is not aiming too high, but aiming low and reaching it.” Get your G.O.A.T. Sisterbetsy.com Surf wax poured in Venice Beach Sister Betsy’sSurf Wax Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. A NEW HORIZON... SEAN YANO | JARED MUSSER RS-61434 | RS-83709 808.386.4487 YANOGROUP@COMPASS.COM R next month in Season is upon us! the hottest moments in Hawai'i surfing as well as... Surfboards of Consequence Vans Triple Crown Preview ISA World Games, Olympic Qualifier Advertising Inquiries ml@freesurfmagazine.com Subscribe!
LAST LOOK
Not a drop of water out of place on this Backdoor gem. Mananalu Chandler living the grom’s dream. Photo - Ryan “Chachi” Craig
