Searching for Waves in South America

Marc and Rachelle took me on a very long journey----we are driving all along the Pacific Coast where Chile meets Argentina looking for the best windsurfing spots. Come along......

Are We Getting Close?

I know there are some waves somewhere nearby. Just where? Surely not here--the Atacama Desert in northern Chile is the driest desert on Earth.
Get me to the beach. I can't wait to leap on my kite surfer and zoom, zoom, zoom.
We may have the waves all to ourselves because we are so far away from everything.

At the Tippy Top of the Falls

I am so lucky to be sharing this long, exciting holiday with Marc and Rachelle (they usually windsurf the waves at Backyards in my neighborhood). Just look where I am now---in Argentina with my back to one of the 275 falls that make up Iguazu Falls. Yikes! I better hold on tightly, heights make me a little nervous and I am up really high.

Building Confidence in the Water

Every winter, during the height of the surf season, the North Shore Lifeguard Association hosts a benefit to support the Junior Lifeguard Program. This program is open to all 13-17 year olds (from around the world) and teaches them swimming and life saving skills at four beach parks islandwide. For 18 years, the City and County of Honolulu, with the support of the North Shore Lifeguard Association, has run 7 summer sessions; each one is 25 hours long. It's free, but a donation is is appreciated.
This year's fundraiser was in Waimea Valley and I was there pitching in.

Doing My Part......Supporting the Lifeguards

Nancy and I were selling t-shirts to raise money for the Junior Lifeguard Program at the fundraiser. It was fun! I met a lot of very cool people; a lot of them visiting the North Shore to surf and enjoy the tropical weather. Those t-shirts made great Christmas presents to take back to the Mainland.

Getting Away from the Chill

Frank and his wife, Regina, are from Panama City, Florida, were it gets into the 40s this time of the year! Yikes, I'd freeze my little tail off! Frank is an Emergency Room doctor and for five years he has donated his time and expertise to the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing Competition. He's pals with the director of the contest, Randy Rarick. (If you remember, Randy took me to South Africa and Victoria Falls in September.)

Is there a Doctor in the House?

Clay Everline was another doctor I met at the North Shore Lifeguard Association fundraiser. He surfs, of course, and makes house calls on the North Shore; just like in the old days when doctors came to your home if you were ill. What a great service!

Making New Friends, as Usual

Chad is a filmmaker who took the best photograph of Mom the night of the benefit. He also told us how to apply for a Hawaii Film Commission Annual Pass----wow, now that sounds serious!
He's with Nat Van Halle, a lifeguard from London, who is also in the film industry.
So....did you notice two little blue legs and arms beside my head? Look closely! That's Nat's traveling companion, Flumps!! I love meeting other little animals like myself who globetrot! What an adventurous life we lead!

Lifeguards of the Future?

There are almost 50 lifeguards employed by the City and County of Honolulu Ocean Safety Division who were once in the Junior Lifeguard Program. Gabby and her brother, Kainoa, took the course for 2 and 4 years respectively. I asked Gabby what she got out of the session and she replied, "I got more fit and I learned how to save people." Learn more about this program by going to: www.honolulu.gov and typing in Junior Lifeguard Program.

Surf's up for the Contest

The last contest of the Van's Triple Crown of Surfing----I was there on the beach at Pipeline. This wave is probably the best barrel in the world! Click on this photo and see the surfer to my right. He's catching waves to the left of "Pipe" and isn't even in the competition.

Making Sure Everything is a Go

Faith is the Director of Administration for the Triple Crown. Now, that's a big job! There are 200 people who need to be fed every day the contest is running. She oversees it all. With 3,000,000 hits to the Triple Crown website, you can imagine she's always on her toes. She's also the Director of the ASP (Association of Surfing Professionals) in Hawaii and runs other surfing contests all year long.

In Charge of "The Look"

Besides making surfboard fins for the last 41 years, Brian Bills is responsible for all the signage at the Triple Crown. He has been doing that for 14 years---the banners, tents, flags, trailers, etc. Look at the smile on his face; he loves his job!

For the World to See

Surfing has become a sport that's embraced by millions of people around the globe. Kevin, in his perch above the Pipeline, makes sure the contest is beamed worldwide. See footage for yourself at: www.triplecrownofsurfing.com

......And Down on the Beach

Jared's dog, Maya, didn't know what to make of me! Doesn't she look puzzled? I mean really puzzled!
See that foamy water to the left? Waves were washing the beach and making tourists scramble.

The Champ from Down Under

Mick Fanning and I were chatting at the Rip Curl house as the Pipeline Pro was taking place. He's such a friendly and humble Australian surfer. Check out his website to learn more: www.mickfanning.com

It's a Wrap! Bye, Bye North Shore

Well, the Van's Triple Crown of Surfing has come to a close this season. Ted Grambeau, a famous photographer who shoots around the world for 8 months out of the year (and not just surfers), was walking along the shoreline snapping incredible rides of the last contest at Pipeline. Interested in knowing who won? It was a big surprise to everyone! I'll give you a hint, it wasn't 10 time world champ, Kelly Slater. Go to: www.triplecrownofsurfing.com to see who took home the trophy!
Also, go to www.tedgrambeau.com to see his magnificent pictures of the contest and more.

On the Red Carpet with Mr. Paul

I was thrilled! I had a media pass for the annual Surfer Poll Awards Ceremony. All the readers of Surfer Magazine vote----best surfer, best barrel, best wipeout, best surf documentary, etc., etc. and trophies are awarded. (Something like the Academy Awards.) Usually the event takes place in Anaheim, California, but his year it was at the Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu's North Shore. Paul Evans, editor of Surf Europe, took me (and Mom, of course).

Setting up to Shoot the Stars

This was the photo shoot backdrop for all the famous celebrities attending the biggest surfing awards event of the year. It's December, it's winter, it's Hawaii-----that's why I live here!! Look at that sunset!
Did you spot me in the photo?

I was a Celebrity Too!!

I got recognized, was on t.v. and had a couple of interviews, just like other surf stars. The place was crawling with reporters from across the globe. This newspaper photographer from the Star-Advertiser, F.L. "Larry" Morris, and I became fast friends. Wasn't he a cuddler?

Local Boys Out for a Big Night

The Surfer Poll Awards was really, really crowded----surfers from everywhere. The security was TIGHT and nobody was crashing this party. Jock Sutherland, closest to the camera is a famous wave rider who has lived on the North Shore forever---he even has a surf spot named after him---Jocko's. Rainos Hayes is the "Local Motion" Team Captain and Manager is at all the most important surf events.