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1001, 2021

World Surf League Adds Women’s Professional Surfing Contest to North Shore Schedule, then Cancels it!

By |January 10th, 2021|Uncategorized|0 Comments

The World Surf League stoked out women professional surfers by returning them to completion at Sunset Set Beach on the North Shore of Oahu but then the State of Hawaii cancelled the event due to Covid-19. Read the World Surf Leagues statement here. Everyone was so stoked! Finally, after 10 years of no world championship events for women surfers, the World Surf League decide to follow the law, siting legislation that the City and County of Honolulu government had announced that a women’s event was added to the schedule. The Sunset Open was to have equal prize money too although not an equal number of competitors. The World Surf League still has a long way to go on that number. There are 18 women allowed to compete in World Championship events compared to 38 men that are allowed to compete in men’s events on sanctioned by the World Surf League. While we greatly applaud the amazing and historic strides the World Surf League has made recently with gender equality there is still work to be done to create equality.

1211, 2020

Gender Equality in Surfing on the North Shore for the First Time Ever?

By |November 12th, 2020|Uncategorized|0 Comments

Certainly, here’s the content optimized for the phrase “gender equity in surfing”:

COVID-19 catalyzed a pivotal moment for the World Surf League (WSL), driving it to proactively embrace gender equity on its World Championship Tour events hosted in Hawaii. Historically, the women’s segment of the tour traditionally concluded with the Maui event, known as the Maui Pro presented by Roxy. However, in an unprecedented move, this event will now inaugurate the tour. Similarly, on the men’s side, the Billabong Pipe Masters, traditionally held on the North Shore of Oahu, will also mark the commencement of the 2021 season, instead of concluding it. The groundbreaking development, however, lies in the WSL’s decision to elevate its Sunset Open event to World Championship status while introducing a women’s division.

As if these changes weren’t remarkable enough, the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing has transitioned into the digital realm for the first time. Eligible competitors can now submit videos featuring their two best waves from Sunset, Haleiwa, and Pipeline for judging consideration. Even more groundbreaking is the inclusion of both men’s and women’s divisions in this digital Triple Crown of Surfing, marking the first time a women’s division has been featured since 2010.

While these changes are […]

609, 2020

Best Surf Lessons On Oahu

By |September 6th, 2020|Uncategorized|0 Comments

There are a number of things you should make sure your surf school has to make sure you are getting the best surf lessons on Oahu.

Number 1. read customer reviews on Google and Trip Advisor.

Ten year old Pua learning to surf on her birthday.

Number 2. Make sure the State of Hawaii licenses your surf school. When booking the surf lesson, ask to see a copy of your surf school license. All surf schools in Hawaii are required by law to be licensed.

Number 3. Find out what kind of equipment your surf school uses. If you want to make sure you get the best surf lessons on Oahu, you want to make sure your surf school uses the best surf equipment. Surftech boards are state of the art and should always be on hand.

Number 4. How well trained our the surf instructors? Beyond surfboards and legal requirements, an essential requirement in getting the best surf lessons on Oahu is how well prepared are your surf instructors. The best surf schools will have a training program that includes a land lesson, how to paddle, water safety, controlling the surfboard, how to pop up, and paddling back out […]

209, 2020

Red Bull Queen of the Bay 2020 Announces Event Cancellation

By |September 2nd, 2020|Uncategorized|0 Comments

Red Bull Queen of the Bay big wave contest planned for October is canceled with an interim virtual big-wave video contest in development for the winter.

Haleiwa, HI – (September 1, 2020) – Red Bull and Banzai Productions made the decision today to cancel the 2020 Red Bull Queen of the Bay big-wave contest in following current state and local event guidelines. The first-ever women-only big-wave competition to take place in Hawaii’s historic Waimea Bay was scheduled to begin its contest waiting period on October 1, 2020.

Waimea Big Wave Rider Raquel Heckart drops in on a big one on the North Shore of Oahu

Now, Red Bull looks forward to 2021 to bring the esteemed event back to Hawaii and, in the interim, producing a Hawaii-focused big-wave video contest this winter in the spirit of providing opportunity.

“We’ve been closely monitoring health updates globally and–while we had hoped to be able to bring Red Bull Queen of The Bay to life this year, 2020 had other plans for us,” Betty Depolito, contest director, said about the cancellation. “We’re excited to have the opportunity to bring the original vision of Red Bull Queen of The Bay–giving the top women’s big-wave surfers a […]

3006, 2020

Equality in Professional Surfing – Will Women Get Back Their Triple Crown of Surfing on The North Shore?

By |June 30th, 2020|Uncategorized|0 Comments

According to Wikipedia. The Vans Triple Crown of Surfing is second only to the World Surf League’s World Title in terms of prestige and difficulty. It is the ultimate test of a surfer’s ability to master the large and consequential waves in surfing’s most legendary arena, among the most talented field of competitors in the sport.

The Triple Crown of Surfing was starting in 1983 and has been held annually since then. The series consists of 3 professional surfing events for men and intermittently women on the North Shore of Oahu in November and December. Having run annually since 1983, it first included a women’s division 14-years later in 1997; however, 3-years later, it was suspended off and on until 2010. A list of the Women’s Triple Crown Winners is listed below.

Women’s Triple Crown of Surfing Champions 1997 – Layne Beachley 1998 – Layne Beachley 1999 – Layne Beachley 2000 – No Women’s Division 2001 – No Women’s Division 2002 – No Women’s Division 2003 – Keala Kennelly 2004 – No Women’s Division 2005 – Chelsea Hedges 2006 – No Women’s Division 2007 – Megan Abubo […]

1905, 2020

Falling in Love with Surfing Again

By |May 19th, 2020|Uncategorized|0 Comments

I remember my first winter surfing on the North Shore. It was so exciting! Waking up each morning to a horizon stacked with waves for days, seemed like a dream. Sunburnt skin and salty hair were the only price I paid, or so I thought. Not realizing it, I was falling in love, deeply in love with the ocean and her children, the waves. I was faithful to my love for many years. I travelled to Bali each summer for five years in a row to ward off the summer blues of no waves on the North Shore. (Note there are excellent beginner surf lesson waves in the summer on the North Shore) During the winter months, I faithfully rode Pipeline every time she broke. I slept like a baby and lived off of ramen noodles to save money. Life was simple. My only care was to surf.

Sadly, as it can happen in love, I was distracted. Politics called my name, and I threw my heart and soul into the game. Campaigning is all-consuming; shaking hands, kissing babies, and posting yard signs soon caused me to forget to surf. I swapped […]

705, 2020

Best Shave Ice on the North Shore of Oahu After a Surf Lesson

By |May 7th, 2020|Uncategorized|0 Comments

Shave Ice is as synonymous with the North Shore as surfing itself. There’s no better way to cool down after a sun-soaked surf lesson than with a bowl of this Hawaiian specialty. The North Shore of Oahu is renowned for its shave ice offerings, with places like Matsumoto’s Shave Ice leading the pack. Situated in the bustling Shops At Haleiwa, Matsumoto’s is a landmark destination for both locals and visitors. To find it, simply drive through Haleiwa town and look for the crowd eagerly lined up in the courtyard of the town’s newest center (more details at Matsumoto’s Shave Ice).

If you encounter a lengthy queue at Matsumoto’s, a worthy alternative awaits just across the street. Aoki’s Shave Ice matches up in quality and taste, providing another excellent option for those seeking a sweet, icy treat. This spot is just as beloved and offers a similar range of flavors and combinations to satisfy any palate (discover more at Aoki’s Shave Ice).

For the shave ice connoisseur, a trip to Island X Hawaii at the old Waialua Sugar Mill is a must. Known for their commitment to real fruit and natural flavors, they offer an authentic and unique shave ice experience that stands […]

605, 2020

Mother Earth is Winning and I Want to Be on Her Team

By |May 6th, 2020|Uncategorized|0 Comments

COVID-19 has forced me to slow down and appreciate the world around me in ways unexpected. The smell of the ocean air as the trade winds blow is fresher and cleaner than ever. The sky is a new shade of blue, which reflects on the ocean creating even more unique shades of blue. Mt. Kala looks crisper and greener than ever. Even the Sun seems to be smiling as she fuels the Earth from above. Mother Earth is winning, and I want to be on her team.

It feels like our mother has forced us to take a “time out,” giving us a once in a lifetime opportunity to reset our lives. During this “time out,” we are experiencing a cleaner world. The most dramatic improvement is the freshness of the air, especially here in Hawaii. Fresh air is vital to human health. The World Health Organization estimates that 3.9 million people die each year from air pollution. While COVID-19 could eventually kill millions before it’s over, sheltering in place has caused air quality to improve by over 50% in cities around the world. If sustained, this will save millions of lives every year. The overall quality of life […]

2904, 2020

Day 39ish of Hawaii COVID-19 Surf Sessions.

By |April 29th, 2020|Uncategorized|0 Comments

In January 2020, I remember hearing about China quarantining millions of people and looking out my window, thinking, “I guess I could isolate here. Little did I know that mere weeks later, I would be under some of the strictest quarantine laws in the nation, except for surfing. Hawaii allowed surfing, fishing, and all water sports categorized as essential activities, a testimony to our elected leaders being in touch with the reality of living on an island. The rest of the life in paradise was locked down hard with Kauai leading the way and having a nightly 9:00 PM curfew and mandatory 14-day isolation for all airport arrivals. So with little to do but surf and shop for food, life became pretty simple, fast! With a series of seemingly endless west swells forecast, a daily surf mission with my best friend was the ticket. Dawn patrol started sometime around 8:30 AM after coffee gets consumed and hot water bottles filled for after surf rinsing. Boards and gear tossed into the back on my Nissan surf school truck, and away we went. It was hard passing perfect Pipe each day.  Lucky for us secret right-hander we had designated as our goto […]

2704, 2020

How to Train for a Surfing Lesson

By |April 27th, 2020|Uncategorized|0 Comments

1. Improve Your Swimming Skills

Confidence in Water: Ensure you’re comfortable swimming in the ocean, as surfing requires being at ease in open water.Endurance Swimming: Increase your stamina with regular swimming sessions, focusing on both distance and speed.

2. Build Your Physical Fitness

Core Strength: Surfing demands a strong core for balance and stability on the board. Incorporate exercises like planks and Russian twists into your routine.Upper Body Strength: Paddling requires arm, shoulder, and back strength. Include push-ups, pull-ups, and paddling exercises in your training.Leg Strength: Squats, lunges, and plyometric exercises will help improve your leg strength for better control and maneuverability on the board.Flexibility: Stretch regularly to improve flexibility, focusing on your legs, back, and shoulders to prevent injuries and enhance your surfing performance.

3. Practice Balance

Balance Exercises: Use a balance board or a Bosu ball to improve your balance and stability, which are crucial for standing up on a surfboard.Skateboarding: Skateboarding can help mimic the balance and movements required in surfing.

4. Learn Surfing Fundamentals

Surf Etiquette: Understand the rules of surfing, including right of way, to ensure safety and respect among surfers.Wave Reading: Start learning how to read waves. This knowledge will help you select the best waves to surf and understand when […]