Looking for the Surfer

This board caddy is watching the waves as one of the Pipe competitors swims in with his broken board.

Racing Up the Beach

Dashing to the board caddy to get a new board, this surfer just swam in after he broke his board at the Pipeline during the Masters, the last contest of the Triple Crown, the last competition of the ASP World Tour.

Leashing Up

With a new board under his arm, this surfer is heading back out into the waves to finish his heat. Hopefully, he didn't lose too much time and will still have a chance of racking up points and moving forward in the Pipe Masters.

And the Winner Is......KP

Keiran Perrow, a surfer from Australia, won the Pipeline Masters 2011. It was a tough race!
To find out more about KP and the contest, google www.aspworldtour.com

The Biggest Indoor Surfing Event Ever

"Surfer" is a surfing magazine that is celebrating 50 years in print. Every December the publication holds a gala party and awards ceremony, Surfer Poll, highlighting the best of the best of that year---best wipeout, best documentary, best surfer, best barrel, best, best, best. The readers of "Surfer" vote for their favorites. Look at the next 17 photographs and you'll be there! (You could have watched it on t.v., too)

Ready to Make History

Kalani David is climbing or should I say, "skating" and "surfing", his way to the top of the ladder. He's kind and humble and a great athlete who rides for the Hawaii Junior Surf Team. Being at the Surfer Poll is the highlight of the surf season. If you are "on the list", you are somebody in the surfing world.
We ran into each other outside the Turtle Bay Resort and had a quick, happy chat. Google Kalani and see his accomplishments.

Everyone was There

Because Surfer Poll is the ultimate surfer event, there is a lot of media coverage. Bryce Lowe-White is the Associate Photo Editor of Surfer Magazine and was there on assignment. He just joined the staff on April 1st. See his work at www.photoblw.com

The Inner Sanctum--a Sneak Peek

This is where it all happens, the ballroom. Each table is reserved for the echelon of the surfing world, oldtimers and the up and coming. I'm propped up at the Irons Family table. The Triple Crown was dedicated to Andy Irons this year.

.....And Behind the Scenes

These are two of the men who make the worldwide televised Surfer Poll happen. Brian, giving me the "shaka" sign, is in charge of staging and Rick is the lighting specialist. Moments before, the lectern had been spray painted black. As Rick expressed, "There is always a lot of last minute stuff to do with these big productions!"

Ready for the Big Game

This huddle of young surfers is the Hawaii Junior Surf Team headed by Raynos Hayes. He's giving them the lowdown.
The other coach, Kehea Hart, is right there with the event details, how to behave, and proper interviewee etiquette. (Did you notice Kalani is his spiffy outfit? He's the one is the red sneakers.)

My Favorites at Surfer Poll

These young surfers are former third graders of Mom's. Noho makes the best Christmas cookies ever because they are baked with lots of love. Dax, the blonde, is one of the top NSSA (National Scholastic Surfing Association) competitiors in the U.S., and Mahina is a rising star. Look for them all in the future issues of Surfer Magazine. They'll be there!

Documenting Surfing History

Betty Depolito is a former professional surfer and one of the first women who went on tour to surf in contests. She runs the media trailer with Jodi Wilmot for the Triple Crown and took me to New York City for the surfing contest in September where she ran the media trailer in the Big Apple with Jodi, too. "Banzai Betty" produces a t.v. show and puts on a women's surfing contest at Pipeline. Whew---she's a mover and a shaker on the North Shore. Check her out at www.banzaibetty.com

The Producer

C.J. Olivares was busy, busy, busy. He's the one in charge of the whole event. A consultant to Surfer Magazine, C.J. makes Surfer Poll happen! We only talked for a few moments because he had to run off and get changed. This awards ceremony is the fanciest party in the surfing industry----there were collared shirts everywhere, and lots of men had on real shoes. They left their slippers at home!

Getting Ready to Tweet

Jessica is the Social Media Web Manager for the Turtle Bay Resort and was tweeting away during Surfer Poll. That's her husband, Kris, with a camera on his back. His volunteer job was to follow her around and take photos. Jessica was one of Mom's students too. (It's easy to understand why she has so many students in the neighborhood----she's taught over 500 third graders, so far, at Sunset Beach Elementary.

Ready for Some Action

Vincent, on the left, and Johnny work for Flux Magazine. They were at Surfer Poll videotaping for podcasts at superordinary.tv Vincent is holding a copy of Aloha Surf Guide---that's the magazine for which Mom writes surfer profiles. Google it!
Behind them is a costume rack. There was a "Shutter Bug" booth were I could dress up and have my picture taken. Mom and I got our picture taken, but we didn't dress up!

Moving Outdoors---Brrrrrr!

I am so absolutely spoiled. When the temperture goes below 70 degrees, I complain. My fur just doesn't keep me warm enough.
Luckily I don't live in Alaska!! This expanse is on the backside of the Turtle Bay Resort and is a perfect place for tents full of yummy delectables. That's pretty Hawaiian style----tents outdoors filled with tables of food.

A Feast at the Beach

Surfer Poll is an extravagant affair, the food, the stars, the media, the comaraderie. I'm always so happy to be a part of it.
Look at this buffet table---Raynos and his girlfriend, Keiki, were so ready to make a plate of the delicious assortment. I know it was lovingly prepared, and, as local as possible. My friend, Turtle Bay Resort executive chef, Hector Morales, oversaw the production.

Looks Like Hollywood is Here

Sal Masakela is famous. He's is a well known television personality and had his own t.v. show. He's a surfer, too.
Sal hosted Surfer Poll with Freddy P. and made hundreds of thousands of viewers laugh at his jokes, just like he did last year!

Whew----a Little Break

Marty Thomas is the Managing Director of the Triple Crown and he was happy to have a night just to relax and celebrate the evening with his radiant wife of 20 years, Shalom. Putting on a worldclass surfing event takes months and months of planning. The day to day operation is filled with unexpected problems and headaches, sometimes. Thanks, Marty, for three great surfing contests!

Pretty in Pink!

Kahea Hart, a coach for the Hawaii Junior Surf Team, and his girlfriend, Claudia, were delighted to pose with me!! They were enjoying all the glamour of the evening on the back lawn---flaming torches, elegant buffet tables, breaking waves, and friends everywhere. Surfer Poll is a very special event!

Surfer Poll 2011

Want to see more photographs and video of the evening? Go to Surfer Magazine and search.........see if you can find that picture of Mom and me in the Shutter Bug booth!

Get Ready for Fun at Sunset Beach

The first Friday of every December is the night of Sunset Beach Elementary's biggest fundraiser---Surf Night! Started by Bev Speece over 20 years ago when she was the president of the PTCA, it's a wild event with famous surfers from all over the world signing posters, thousands of dollars worth of door prizes being given away, homecooked chili and baked goods for sale, and hundreds of excited school and community members attending. See what I mean in the next few photographs.........

Standing Guard

Jake and Craig (holding the caution tape) were keeping order and doing security duty for Surf Night. There were hundreds of surf enthusiastics who waited in line to go into the cafeteria to get posters signed and listen for their names to be called for the doorprizes!

Supporting the Cause

Lindsey and her daughter, Dax, were organizing some of the free surf stickers and posters for the crowd. Dax is an alumni of Sunset Beach Elementary and one of the top women surfers in her age group in the United States.

Pancho Sullivan Representing Rip Curl

Pancho has been on the North Shore since he was a teenager. He's surfed competively for years winning many contests around the world. Now he's the father of three and contributing his time at Surf Night to raise money for the school. He's repping Rip Curl and just riding waves in local surf contests, and being a supportive dad, of course!

Coco Ho on the Go!

Coco attended Sunset Beach Elementary and rode waves since she was a toddler. Following in the footsteps of her famous dad, Michael, and uncle, Derek, Coco is climbing the surfing ladder to success. She's charging in contests around the world...."I'm going to do two photo surf trips in the next few weeks and then start competing in the women's tour in February". Bravo, Coco, you are making our little school very proud, and you are also inspiring today's young women to strive to be their best, like you. Keep it up, we'll be rooting for you this coming surf season!

Yummy, Yum, Yum

Many of the school's parents contribute baked goods to support Surf Night. Just look at that array! These three beautiful volunteers are teachers at Sunset---from left to right---Lisa, Corinna, and Jen. So......they teach their heads off all week, week after week, and then give their time and energy to raise money to make the school a better place. Thank goodness for such a devoted trio! Many other staff and faculty members participate also, and have been for over 20 years.

Ready to Win Some Doorprizes

Nami and her little sister, Hanako, love Surf Night. When I asked Nami what she liked most about the fundraiser, she smiled and said, "It's fun, and I like the prizes and autographs"! (You may recall these girls took me to Osaka, Japan, a couple of years ago.)

And the Winning Number Is......

That's Rocky Canon, the surf contest announcer and lifeguard, calling out the raffle numbers. Surf Night was just getting started so the cafeteria was just beginning to fill up. A lot of parents and children were still standing in line to have posters signed by famous surfers. Anyone can attend this event, so remember, the first Friday of every December, join the fun and support Sunset Beach Elementary.

A Big Winner

Kaile, one of Mom's third graders, had already won two doorprizes in the first 10 minutes of Surf Night! Many local businesses contribute to this fundraiser for Sunset. The national and international surf companies do their part too------t-shirts, caps, rash guards, fins, watches, hoodies, wax, etc., etc, etc. You name it, if it has to do with surfing, it probably will be a doorprize at Surf Night! There are also lots of boards that are donated to be given away too. The chances of winning something at this event are great!

It's a Family Affair

Surf Night is a huge community event at Sunset Beach. Like a homecoming party, former students return and meet and greet their friends while contributing to their alma mater. Megan, holding me, is Mom's student now, and Sloane, sitting, was Mom's third grade student many years ago. Cathy Shanley, a local realtor and strong volunteer at Sunset (she'll coordinate the art auction fundraiser in February), brought her daughter, Megan, to the party.

Full of Pride and Happy to Hold Me

Kalani David and I have been friends for awhile. He's a champion athelete and topnotch surfer, and, of course, a former student at Sunset Beach Elementary. We only chatted for a few moments because he had to rush off---he spotted some old friends and had to catch up! Please, when you are on the North Shore in December, drop into Surf Night and meet the best surfers in the world, get their autographs, buy dinner and some raffle tickets, and support the children of my neighborhood!

Makua Rothman---Loves a Good Hug!

Makua and I were snuggling up at the Rell Sunn benefit on the North Shore at the Turtle Bay Resort. He's a champion surfer, born and raised in my neighborhood, who's competing in the surfing contests here this winter. Last I saw him, he was nursing an injury after a hairy ride in the Eddie a couple of years ago. He had to run off because he was called to the stage to play music for the event.

Supporting Rell

Rell Sunn, a competitive surfer, was born on the West Side of Oahu in Makaha and was the epitome of the "Aloha Spirit". She loved life, the ocean, and giving back! Also known affectionately as the Queen of Makaha, Rell was the first female lifeguard in Hawaii. Her daughter, Jan, established an educational foundation after her mom passed away. I was at the annual benefit and loved the music and comaraderie.

A Musician and Surfer

Tom Curren has been one of the most admired and famous surfers in the world for thirty years. He's not competing anymore, but playing music, and surfing for fun. He contributed his aloha to the Rell Sunn benefit and wowed the audience with his vocals.

A Comfy Spot to Be

Well, Mom woke me up before dark on Black Friday and we headed to Honolulu to check out the shopping scene at Ala Moana Center. This is definately the best restroom in the mall-----at Neiman Marcus. And it's just around the corner from their cafe which serves delicious sandwiches and soups. Should you ever be at Ala Moana, I recommend it!

A Little Bird Told Me

When hunting for gifts, one of my favorite stores in Ala Moana is Papyrus. It a stationery shop with the most beautiful note cards, wrapping paper, ribbon, calendars, and so much more. Stop by! Following are a two photos from the store.

Just Right for Any Occasion

Well, Mom loves to give gifts, so, as you can see, this is the perfect place to find the perfect wrap! Papyrus has the most extensive selection on the island.

Think Peace......Keep Thinking It, Please.

Cards, cards, and more cards; I bet you can find whatever you need at this lovely little stationery shop in Ala Moana Shopping Center. Stop in Papyrus and tell them Rex sent you!

Stepping into a Field of Herbs

L'Occitane (loxy ton) is Mom's favorite store in Ala Moana and we just had to come here on Black Friday to see what was offered. The body products come from France and are heavenly. This shop is a perfect place to buy a gift for anyone you want to make feel special. The latest research shows the healthy benefits from inhaling Mother Nature's plant essences, especially lavender. I strongly suggest you give this store, or any other L'Occitane across the U.S., a visit.

My Newest Little Buddy

This is Dunie. Can you see he is a ribbon dispenser? One of the clever salegirls in the L'Occitane store made him. I just loved his bright colors and functionality! He'll have a partner soon, Birk.

Remember.....Inhale Deeply

That's a photograph of the lavender flower behind me. The products at L'Occitane are infused with the essential oils of leaves, flowers, bark, roots, and more. I love the natural scents and their health benefits. You will too. Promise.

Mom's Favorite

Rose is the scent Mom likes the best! Stop into this little bath and beauty shop in Ala Moana, or somewhere else around the world, and see what you think. L'Occitane will be on your list of favorites too, I am sure!

Yum, Yum, and Yum

I was at the Williams-Sonoma store on the upper floor of Ala Moana and came across this baking tin. Now, I know the secret to great gingerbread cookies-------triple the spices and let the dough age for about three weeks before you roll it out and cut the cookies. Williams-Sonoma has a great recipe in their Holiday Cookie recipe book. Another secret, and this one's healthy, use whole wheat pastry flour instead of enriched flour. I can smell the cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg in the air right now!

Just My Size

Williams-Sonoma has just about anything you could want in the kitchen for cooking, baking, roasting, poaching, prepping, icing, cutting, chopping, serving.......I could go on and on. Stop by the store at Ala Moana and see for yourself.

.......And if You Feel Like Being Naughty

You know, of course, that dog's can't eat chocolate, so be very careful that none fall into the jaws of your canine this holiday season. But, if you feel like giving a box for a treat to an adult or child, See's is the place to shop. What Mom loves best about this store is that you can select the chocolates you want to fill a box and they are super fresh. She always goes for the dark chocolate nuts and chews. The nougats are her favorites. She eats just dark chocolate and says that she's "taking medicine". Hum.......but, you know, the science is behind her! Dark chocolate equals medicine, but not tooooooo much.
Another secret-----you always get a free chocolate just for stepping into See's!

Hooray for the Champ--Taj Burrow

Taj Burrow won the 2011 Reef Hawaiian Pro Surfing Contest. It's the first of three contests in the Van's Triple Crown of Surfing. This is the 15th year Taj has been competing professionally. He's always one of the frontrunners, winning contests across the globe. His parents are American and moved to Yallingup, Western Austrailia, several years before he was born. We'll be looking for him at the Sunset contest starting Friday, November 25, surf permitting, of course!

Brimming with Gratitude

Taj was just given his prize money of $24,000 and a new ukulele as the top competitor in the Reef Hawaiian Pro. He was beaming and willingly having his picture taken with his fans! Keep you eye on this young man, he's going places!!

Coming to You Live from Haleiwa....

Shea Lopez, from Daytona Beach, Florida, is one of the three main announcers for the Reef Hawaiian Pro, the first contest of the Triple Crown of Surfing. A former professional surfer, Shea was one of the top 16 surfers in the world for eight years. He likes this job because he travels across the globe and is still a major player in the surfing world. Listen to him broadcast at all three Triple Crown events.

Busy-----Behind the Scenes

There is so much to do to prepare for the Triple Crown---planning is a team effort. David, holding me, is the cameraman who shoots everything, but the waves. Chris is an associate producer whose job is to solve the hundreds of little problems which arise daily. Now, that's a mighty big job, if you ask me! It's takes collaboration and diplomacy to make this grand surfing contest happen!