Craving summertime surf

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Friday - May 11, 2007

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Aloha Surfers,

Future champ Jon Jon Florence

We’re really feeling the spring doldrums right now. There’s no significant storms brewing, and that’s where our surf comes from. One can only handle so many days of choppy Trade swell before you’re frothing for some long, clean lines of perfection.

I wish I had better news. The reality is twofold: 1) there’s no real good-sized surf on the charts as of this writing, and 2) with each passing day we get closer to those classic days. Fear not, wave warriors, the summer of 2007 shall deliver the goods in due time. In the meantime, practice in the small stuff and stay in shape - try the Stand up Paddle Surf craze. Go for a long paddle, classic style, or try plain ol’ swimming. Whoa, there’s a concept. Just get in that water and keep moving.

From this weekend on through almost the entire summer you can expect to find something happening. Two surf spots will “provide the ride” for the two surf events this Mom’s Day weekend.

Stand up paddle surfing at the Surftech demo at
Kewalos last weekend

The first is the Freedom Surf Contest at Queen’s Surf on Waikiki Beach May 12-13. More than 200 will be surfing for a Drug-Free Hawaii. Raising awareness of any problem is the first step to solving it. This event is going for this and more. The next step is usually some form of action like raising money, for example. Mayor Mufi Hannemann will speak Saturday morning at 9, showing his support of such events; he knows the impact that drugs have on communities - not just in Hawaii but across America. The planet has enough issues to deal with, and we certainly don’t need this one. Come on down and show your support. There’s going to be more than five acts performing, tons of hot heats and fun in the hot Hawaiian sun. The Freedom Surf Contest will begin at 7:30 a.m. May 12. Throughout the day entertainment will be provided in the form of live music, including Simplicity, Breeze, Lopaka, Country Crew and others. Representatives from organizations dedicated to drug abuse prevention and rehabilitation will also participate with literature tables and speakers. To register for the contest or for more information, all interested persons and community organizations are invited to call 838-SURF (7873) or mail P.O. Box 29393, Honolulu, HI. You can learn more by logging on to surfingthenations.com. I’ll also keep you posted at SNN and on 638-RUSH.

Also this weekend at Kewalos is HASA event No. 10. This will bring us one wave closer to the Burger King State Surfing Championships June 7-9 at Ala Moana Bowls. We’ll be praying for surf for sure. But whatever Mother Nature brings, we’ll be out there making the most of it.

Check back here next week and I’ll share the results of the pro tour event in Tahiti.

Until then, stay stoked and wet. GQ, dropping in for you!