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PART 1 of 2: Summer on the North Shore of Oahu |
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By: Assc. Editor, Bill Ward
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Thursday, 24 July 2008 |
For surfers the start of summer on the North Shore of Oahu is
always a bit of a let down. All winter we are spoiled by incredible
waves with tons of power; and then one day, it just stops. The once
ferocious ocean that fueled our deepest passion for big powerful waves
is reduced to lake placid. Our minds are fresh with memories of epic
sessions as we obsess and scour the online surf reports searching the
forecasts and buoy readings for a glimmer of hope that our beloved
winter has not really left us for good. Surely she will turn back and
give us one more embrace, right? Like a jilted lover in denial we
refuse to acknowledge the awful truth in front of us, unrequited love.
Oh
sure, a few isolated spots will tease us here and there with knee high
surf, that at first blush, look like something we can actually surf. We
may even talk our selves into paddling out, all the while saying “it’s
better than it looks” and “I am sure the incoming tide will give it a
boost!” But once in the line up, reality sets in and even the most die
hard North Shore summer surfers must admit defeat. We now feel like the
aquatic version of John Cusack in “Say Anything”, with a boom box
blaring over our heads and just hoping, begging, praying for the woman
of our dreams to come back to us. Sadly this time she does not.
Of
course, we always have town (Waikiki/Honolulu) surf and I don’t mean to
minimize the quality surf they get when the south swells start rolling
in. Many do score some great sessions this time of year, but for the
North Shore surfer it is just not the same. The South Shore is small
most of the time and the crowds are crazy even by North Shore
standards. It is like a whole other world in town and many simply avoid
it altogether.
Those with foresight, planning and a few bucks
in savings (or surf industry sponsored) have already left for the
fertile surf grounds of the south pacific. Rumors, then photos and
videos start to emerge of epic all time sessions at places like Tahiti,
Fiji, Tonga, Samoa and the Cook islands. We then see mainland Mexico
getting pounded and California classic summer breaks start to light up.
While our immediate response is elation for the visual stoke, it does
not take long before we start to go stir crazy and crave to surf waves
again.
Talk to the wife or girlfriend of any North Shore
surfer and she will attest to how cranky and irritable their men get
every summer because of the lack of surf. Many fall prey to mindless TV
shows and several admit to gaining 5 lbs each summer due to inactivity.
As bleak as this summer time funk sounds for the hardcore North
Shore surfer, there was a very distinctive and wonderful change in the
air this year. Suddenly many were seen bouncing around with smiles on
their faces, clearly stoked on something. That something was of course
stand up paddle surfing! SUP has rekindled a stoke for the summer
months unlike anything we have ever seen. People talk excitedly about
their adventures up the Anahulu stream, cell phones are buzzing with
plans for downwind runs from Sunset to Waimea and many are now using
stand up paddle boards for fishing. The variety of uses for these
boards are as endless as those discovering our beloved sport.
Stay tuned for PART TWO where we will take closer look at the North Shore SUP summertime action!!
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