Room with a view

Take a grown man from Pupukea who grew up charging Waimea shorebreak, add a high quality Nikon camera in a waterhousing, a keen eye for color and form and what do you get? Magical photos of the most unique and sandy barrels on the North Shore snapped by none other than shutterbug Clark Little, guest speaker at the Chinatown Boardroom's Surf Discussion Series on Feb. 21.

He's been shooting what he calls "nuggets" for only one year and immediately, people all over the islands are seeking out his matted photos. He started shooting because his wife asked him for a picture of a wave for their home. Last time he checked, he’s selling prints in at least eight galleries, has his shots on Sector Nine skateboards and has been featured in several national publications.

Clark is a humble soul and gave thanks to his friend, Brian Beilmann, for being his photography mentor. He also thanked his dad for staying home to watch his two children so his wife could attend the discussion in support. Also on hand was Clark’s marketing agent, who is also his sister-in-law. According to Clark, it all comes down to having the support from family and friends. —Manny Pangilinan


Laying it down

The final rounds of the 2008 IBA International Pipeline Pro went off on Friday, Feb. 22, in pumping 6- to 8-foot surf, with west swell groomed to perfection with light winds. The competitors were charging, getting shacked and cranking it off the bottom, stoking the fans on the beach.

Heading into the semis there were big upsets and big performances. Pierre Costes (FRN) was injured landing on his back during his round eight victory over Mike Stewart (HAW) and Damien King (AUS). He was assisted up the beach, but opted to continue to compete and was able to win his quarter final heat, only to be stopped in the semis, paddling in early in severe pain. 


The final was an all out battle with blows coming from all riders. Jeff Hubbard (HAW) sent a warning shot with a huge ARS (air, roll, spin) at Backdoor, followed by Uri Valadao (BRZ) throwing almost the exact same maneuver in quick succession. Paulo Barcellos (BRZ) threw caution to the wind with a massive roll on a close out section at Backdoor, showing true commitment to the judges. Jeff answered back with a big invert while Hugo Pinheiro (POR) chose to stick to Pipe. But Paulo Barcellos was picking off the best Pipe barrels of the heat and in the end he took out the talented field with Jeff Hubbard just behind him.


Fill it up

On Tuesday, March 11, Sunny Garcia and Makua Rothman rolled out of bed for a dawn patrol session of a different kind. The two helped raise over $1,700 for the Boys and Girls club of Hawai‘i by pumping free gas for local residents at a Kaka‘ako gas station. Free gas flowed from 6 to 9 a.m. and drivers took advantage, lining up as early as 4:30 a.m., blocking traffic down Queen Street and around to South Street. Police had to cone off one lane of South Street and monitor traffic.

Boost Mobile sponsored the promotional event to celebrate the launch of Unlimited by Boost in Hawai‘i. In exchange for the free fuel, Boost Mobile asked residents to make a small donation to the Boys & Girls Club of Hawai‘i, and then matched donations dollar for dollar. DJ Micah emceed the event and even gave away a few Boost Mobile phones with free Unlimited by Boost service to attendees.

“I should have brought my car," joked power surfer, Sunny Garcia, who now resides in San Clemente, Calif. and flew over just for the fundraiser.


Crusty, but not salty

Volcom Stone’s Totally Crustaceous Surf Tour made a stop on the Big Island Saturday, Feb. 16 at Banyans in Kona. It was a whole day full of heats with a pro-am division and an air show to top it off. The free event brought out kids and parents of all ages, even some mother/daughter combos who surfed against each other in the Open Women’s division. The prizes for each division were grab bags of swag, including skateboard decks, hats, leashes, glasses, watches and more.

The waves were small and playful for the contest, but the competitors came through with heat after heat of top rank ripping by Big Island surfers and some neighbor-island amateurs and professionals. The youngest Big Island surfer to enter the third Pufferfish event was 10-year-old Charlie Akau. Little Charlie Akau impressed the crowd with his surfing, placed fifth overall and was bestowed with the Kick Ass Grom award.

The main event featured the big boys and a $500 first place prize. Visiting pros and Big Island rippers couldn’t pry that check from the hands of the well-deserved champion of the day in the pro-am division, the young Banyans Local, Tonino Benson. But no matter what division, the groms couldn’t have been more stoked trading prizes and hanging out at the beach for the day. —Isaac Frazer


New Grinds

There has been rising anticipation over the past few months since the final phases of concrete pouring began at the Big Island’s newest skate park. They weren’t fooling around when they decided to build this park out in the country town of Pahoa. It boasts tons of vert sections, a flowing pool with tile accents, an inverted bowl zone, half pipes, quarter pipes and mellow, learning areas, all with a wave-like flow connecting the transitions.

The park was designed by Ryan Welter and built by the mud mixing crew of Abstract Concrete Ltd. Even with funding coming from all directions including fundraisers, the Puna Friends Of The Parks, Pahoa businesses and more, the bank still fell short many times over. But persistence paid off and the new park nears completion of Phase 1.

The tentative date for a grand opening is scheduled for May 15, but no one’s waiting for a ribbon cutting ceremony. As soon as the school bells ring there are groms lining the perimeters, waiting for a turn to drop in. Only two things seem to stop the skaters and bikers from packing the new park: rain and surf. Don’t forget to wear pads and protection. This park is solid like the rock it’s built on and it has already made a run of broken bones. —Isaac Frazer


Get sun smart


May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month and as surfers, our time in the sun and propensity for the disease is extremely heightened. FSM conferred with skin cancer/sunscreen expert Dr. Nic Martens at Outside Labs, developer of Hawaiian Island Creations 2X Sunblock, to get the skinny on what we can do to protect ourselves from the sun’s harmful rays.

First thing to keep in mind is that no matter how old you are, it’s more than a good idea to slap on the sunscreen. There is an 80% reduction in the risk of developing skin cancer through regular use of sun protection. So start early because one blistering sunburn in childhood more than doubles a person’s chances of developing the deadliest form of skin cancer later in life.

Know the difference between UVA and UVB rays. The SPF value of sunscreen describes how long the product protects against sunburn caused mainly by UVB rays. UVA rays don’t burn your skin, but cause long-term skin damage, so a product that protects against both is ideal. And that saying about applying sunscreen at least twenty minutes before you go out in the sun is for good reason. When sunscreen has the time to dry on the skin it helps form a protective film on your skin that ensures the best waterproofing and from running into your eyes.

Caption: Kai Sallas rocking triple sun-protection: sunscreen, rashguard and barrel.