Electricity is something we take for granted on a daily basis. It powers our homes, our refrigerators, our computers—our lives. It usually takes a natural disaster that knocks out the power to wake us up to the reality of our 110-watt crutch. The food in the fridge won’t last long, especially if you keep opening up the door for another beer.

With all the talk of energy efficiency and alternative power sources for our plugged-in planet, it’s easy to forget that as surfers, we utilize clean, blue power every time we paddle out and catch a few waves. Flynn Novak is well aware of the raw power inherent in every wave that breaks along the North Shore. It is what drives him to push himself over the ledge and it’s what puts the smile on his face. He has made his mark harnessing the power of huge Pipe and utilizing every section at Rocky Point.

“When you are out at big Pipeline, there is so much water sloshing in, out, and over the reef that it makes you feel really insignificant,” says Flynn, “and even when you're sitting or paddling on your biggest Pipe gun you still feel like a tiny piece of seaweed moving at the ocean’s mercy. The North Shore definitely has some of the most powerful waves on the planet. I've received the worst beatings of my life here so far.”

So consider yourself lucky. If you have the talent, determination and the drive to charge, there’s no tax, no lift ticket and no users fee to take advantage of the ocean’s power. Talk to any big wave surfer and their agree with Flynn, “It’s the rush of adrenaline makes you feel so alive.”

FSM dedicates this photo gallery to those that take the late drops, pull in deep and push the limits of performance surfing in Hawai‘i’s powerful surf. Enjoy this no frills, all action, full power gallery, as the boys reaps the rewards of clean energy. —KW