Can You Find Me? I'm at the Pipeline Again

Look hard. Did you find me?
I'm at the last big surf contest on the North Shore for this winter.
And this is a "big" one in a a number of ways.
Be there and find out why---check out the following 20 photos!

In Charge of the the Whole Enchilada

I'm with Betty Depolito, the Director of this "all girls" surfing contest---Culturalization with long boards, short boards, and bodyboards.
Heather, with her hair down, is the media relations person.
They welcomed me with open arms and were sure glad I stopped by!

First Stop----the Sushi Bar

Kalani offered me his homemade California roll sushi. Yummmmm!
That's his daughter, Tiare, holding me, and her little pooch, Pono, wishing he could have some sushi too!

Ready for a Day of Goodwill and Fun

Rochelle Ballard, a professional surfer, was at the contest to cheer on the competitors and support Banzai Betty.
Mara, holding me, was co-ordinating yoga instructors to lead group sessions right there on the grass!

The Judges' Tent--the Heart of the Contest

That's Bernie Baker standing. He's spotting and calling out competitor's colors to the four judges as each wave is ridden.
There are eight judges in all and they rotate from 8 am to 4 pm---whew----a long day.

Tally the Scores--How Good was the Ride?

This is the score card--just like the Olympics--0 to 10 in decimal form.
The computerized system was still in the process of getting set up.
Remember--click on the photo to enlarge the image. See the details.

Keeping her Husband Company

Chris, a former bigtime surfer, is married to Ben Severson, a judge at the contest. She teaches math at a high school on the West Side. Luckily for her it was Spring Break. We talked for a long time.
That's the judge's tent behind her.

Shooting for the Contest

Juan was up on a deck next to the Judges' Tent. He was in a perfect position to take pictures of the four young women riding waves on their bodyboards in each of the back-to-back heats.
Want to see some of Juan's other photos? Go to: juanphotos.com.

The Voice of the Contest

Judah kept track of everything that was happening on the waves.
That's Sturmar in the background making sure everything was secure. See that megaphone thing behind Sturmar? It's the horn with an unbelievable blast that announces the beginning and ending of each heat.

..............from all around the World

These girls came all the way from Japan to ride waves on their bodyboards in the Culturalization Contest. Their favorite surf spot at home is Chiba. Asako is in the turquoise, then Misako who is holding me, and Mayumi. They were loving sitting in the sand at Ehukai Beach Park watching Pipe break and cheering each other on!

And the Winner Is.........

This young Japanese woman just finished her heat. That pink rash guard made it easy for the judges to see her in the waves and keep everyone straight.

The Photographer from Australia

Mandy was taking pictures for a Japanese magazine called Flipper. She had lots of opportunities for great shots-----the day was beautiful and the waves were too! Perfect for riding, considering it's the tail end of the winter surf.

A Smile as Wide as a Mile

Emma is from Australia and was shooting video of her countrywomen. She was the director of the first women's bodyboarding contest in 2000 in the "Land Down Under" and continues to organize contests up and down the East Coast of Australia.

Happy to be in Hawaii

Kaitlin, in the wetsuit, and Lilly, in the middle, flew into Paradise from Australia to bodyboard in the contest. Roberta, in the green hoodie, lives here.

From the Beginning

Faith has a long title--ASP Hawaii/Vans Triple Crown-Admin Director.
ASP is Association of Surfing Professionals.
She has been working in the surfing industry since she was 16 years old, and she used to surf, too. She was signing up competitors at the Culturalization contest.
Find out more, go to: asphi@hawaii.rr.com

It's a Family Affair

Here are the McGills. Dax and Mom were signing up to compete and Dad was acting silly! Finn had a great little smile for me!!
They sure are a happy family, don't you think!

Of Course..........Safety First

Mark was treating me right------a lifeguard cap, binoculars, and a spectacular view!

Lifeguard on Duty

Kenny Russ, a retired City and County lifeguard, owns a company that suppplies ocean safety officers for events. What do you think about the rescue tube he put around my little doggie body?
If you ever need to hire a lifeguard, go to: alohasurflifesaving.com

Two in the Hands

The father of these twins is married to the woman
who was the nurse on duty at the contest.
Wow! What a dad! He has his hands full, don't you think?

Raising Money, Raising Green Awareness

The Culturalization Surf Contest will be donating funds to the Girl Scouts so they can "green up" Camp Paumalu on the North Shore. Bravo!!

Checking Out the Contest

Darrick Doerner, a big wave rider, dropped by Pipeline and we were able to chat for awhile. He's a former lifeguard for the City who teaches ocean safety assessment to professional organizations around the world. He started a stand-up paddleboard event which circles Manhattan.
Learn more about what Darrick does, go to: www.Darrick@dd-sea.com

What a Pleasant Way to Spend the Day

Can you imagine a more blissful day------being on the beach, watching some of the best young women surfers in the world riding the most famous wave in the world----the Banzai Pipeline. This is doggie heaven!
Lucky I live Hawaii!!

Kiwiland...................Here I Come!

What a big welcome this little Maori girl gave me when I landed in New Zealand. Little did I know that the big soccer star, David Beckham, was going through customs the same time as I! She was actually there for him. Oh, well, I felt pretty special, anyway!

In the Southwestern Pacific

New Zealand is a country southeast of the continent of Australia. It's made up of two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. On this trip I spent my time on the South Island with Tara and her friend, Jo.

Breathtaking Views all Around

Tara has me on her knee at the Little Paradise Inn, and was it ever a paradise! We were north of Queensland, an international resort town that caters to skiiers and adventure seekers. And guess what, it's their summertime and our wintertime-----the seasons are opposite on either side of the equator.

Shall I Become an Artist too?

Jo kept me company, or maybe I kept her company, while she was sketching!
That's the Tasman Sea in the background.
Maybe I should take art classes from my neighbor, Ilona Hemperly. Hmmmmmm, I'm going to hold on to that thought.

Land Ho! Land Ho!

I'm on the bow of a big motor vessel cruising around Milford Sound on the West Coast of the South Island. What do you think the captain is thinking about me as he's holding my paw?


The photo above shows a Chinese family on vacation enjoying the cruise, too, and having fun playing cards!
Did you notice the waterfall in the background? Reminds me of Hawaii.

Ba, Ba, Black Sheep, Have You Any ______

New Zealand is famous for its wool. Here are two animals that supply that wool-----the sheep and alpaca. Baaaaaaaa. Did I fool you?

On a Road Trip from Australia

This family was having an exciting time traveling around in a camper van. They are from England and staying in "the Land Down Under" for a year. They flew over to the South Island for a holiday. That's what lots of Europeans do------they tour around in a van and get to know their vacation destinations better---up close and personal. Sounds like a plan!
I sure had a good time on my trip to Kiwiland----thanks Tara and Jo for taking me!

Mike Stewart Wins Pipeline Again!

Here I am at the annual Pipeline Bodysurfing Contest sponsored by the North Shore Lifeguard Association. That's the first place winner on the right, Mike Stewart, the dad with the son on his shoulders. Mike has won many, many bodysurfing and bodyboarding contests in his career. Look on for more photos from this event.

On Your Mark, Get Set, Go.............

This event, the Rescue Relay, was at the water's edge. The contestants had to run to a flag, round the corner, and swim out to a waiting "victim". Then the runner and the "victim" swam in and ran back to the starting line. Keep looking -----

..............Charging in the Sand at Pipe

And they're off...................

..............Going All Out

And the sand was flying!!
(Remember "click" to enlarge.)

.......................Breaking Out

Almost to the water!! Fins in hand!

...................Rounding the Bend

And the Winners Are......................

Todd, in the towel, and Dawson, one of Mom's former students, won the Rescue Relay. They were beaming.
This Contest is a "fun day at the beach," stated Kyle, one of the two lifeguards who organized the event. (Mark is the other one.)

Many businesses supported the cause-----Haliewa Joe's, Quiksilver, Da Fin, Rockstar. The $50 entrance fee from each of the 60 competitors was donated to the "Food Bank".

A lot of bodysurfers flew in. One entrant came from the Basque country in Europe. There were three women in the contest who had a ball in the waves----------- no boards in the water.

One of the Women, One of the Competitors

Judith had just finished after competing all day long.
Look at her big smile-------she's in heaven!
She's going to be in a documentary. Watch for it!
Look at all the bicycles-----we're such a green neighborhood.

Traveling Up from the Land Down Under

I'm with Lifeguard Rick standing in the middle. Richard and Heidi (pronounced Hay Dee) are visiting the North Shore for a month.
They are scuba divers out of Port Douglas, Australia, in the Great Barrier Reef.
Wow------what a good job, in my opinion, of course.

Another Friend

That's Lani and Pepper leaving the Pipeline Bodysurfing Contest.
It had been a long day for Pepper.

Aloha From the Pipeline

The residents and visitors deeply appreciate the North Shore Lifeguards-------saving lives and supporting the community in so many ways.

Sunset Beach is a Destination

The North Shore of Oahu is the second most visited place on this island.

Above is Simran from New Delhi in India. She's in Hawaii to become a teacher. She visited Mom's classroom and spoke to the children about her culture and homeland.
Simran is holding a picture of Ghandi, a leader of her country who advocated "Peace." Did you know there is a statue of him in Kapiolani Park near the zoo entrance. Be a detective. Find it.
Her turquoise wrap is the color of the Pacific on a hot summer morning.

From High in the Himalayas

Lhatso is from a country called Tibet. She's a friend of Shayla (in the purple pants). Lhatso is in America to see how our schools are designed and run. She visited mom's classroom and talked with her students.
This photograph was taken in the school garden at Sunset Beach Elementary.

Plants for Sale, Plants for Sale!

Harald, an astronomy professor at the University of Hawaii, and his two children, Fiona and Sebastian, joined him at Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden on the windward side of Oahu in Kaneohe. There was a plant sale, sponsored by the Friends of Honolulu Botanical Gardens going on, and this family (Mom was working) bought a few to ship to their home on the Big Island. Yea, Dad, for teaching your children to plant-----keep going green!!

Everyone Loves a Garden

Jean was at Ho'olumaluhia, which means to "make a place of peace and tranquility", to buy some plants too. She's a retired school teacher who first came to the Islands in l950 with her military husband and always came back. She's putting these daisy-like flowers into her home garden.

Now, Remember, It's February

This is undoubtedly my favorite time to be in Hawaii. Everything's green! After the plant sale, I wandered in the gardens of Ho'omaluhia, which is one of the five City & County of Honolulu Botanical Gardens on Oahu. It has 400 acres!

I got my little paw wet in this rock pool. That reminds me, Mom keeps saying it's time for my first bath. Yikes! Doesn't she know, dogs don't usually like baths! Please spare me!!
Surf, yes! Bath, no!

A Gallery in the Garden

Ho'olomaluhia also has an art gallery which profiles locals artists. There is a new exhibit every month. The next two photographs show some of the pieces on display. There's an education center, too. Go to: www.honolulu.gov/parks/hbg to know more about all five botanical gardens on Oahu. It's free. The tea pot is by Dagmar Kau.
Sue Roach has the painting that looks like a piece of stained glass.
See her work at http://kukana.homestead.com/index.html

............And if Gardening Isn't Your Thing

These Boy Scouts just went fishing in Moku Mo'o Pond. So.........if that's your bag, then head on over to Ho'omaluhia on the weekends from 10 am to 2 pm for some "catch and release" angling. But, whatever you choose to do in this botanical garden, appreciate the beauty and serenity that it offers for free!