Event: The 38th Annual Surf N Sea Hale‘iwa International Open presented by Matsumoto's Shave Ice and Vertra
Date: Dec. 21-31, 2007 (waiting period)
Location: Hale‘iwa Ali‘i Beach Park
Conditions: 2- to 4-foot high-performance, fun ones!

While most of the North Shore was being battered by strong trade winds in late December, Hale‘iwa's unique location was prime for competition, offering up rights and lefts for the roster of local and international surfers. This year HIO hosted more than 250 surfers from South Africa, Australia, France, Portugal, Brazil, Israel, the US mainland, Japan and the outer Hawaiian Islands. The cool thing about the HIO is the camaraderie amongst competitors and local families. The event formally started as the Mabo Royal, which was to be a goodwill, community experience—an exchange of cultures and sharing the waves of Haleiwa's Ali`i Beach. “I feel these were very important first steps because it bridged the gap between generations, cultures and personalities that are still strong today,” HIO director and pro surfer Jason Shibata said.

By Kevin Whitton

EVENT: Sixth Annual Da Hui Backdoor Shootout
Date: Jan. 9, 11 & 12, 2008
Location: Backdoor and Pipeline
Conditions: Heavy 10- to 12- foot Pipe and epic 6- to 8-foot Backdoor

Uncle Eddie Rothman perched himself at the edge of the beach path in between the Volcom houses, watching unridden 20-foot waves race down the reef at Pipeline. As people walked by they greeted him with handshakes, kisses and small talk about the surf, but Rothman never took his eyes off the ocean for long. “Backdoor means you either backdoor Pipe or you backdoor Backdoor,” explained Rothman. “Either way, you got to backdoor it to really get barreled. That’s what these guys are doing and having a good time. We’re stoked we got to run our contest.”