I was able to surf Hawaii a little this winter thanks to a wildcard from Reef. I was entered into the Reef Hawaiian Pro at Haleiwa. I got 2nd in my first heat and advanced to the quarters and got third to not advance beyond that point. The whole experience was amazing! I enjoy hanging out with everyone and watching all the heats. Along with the Haleiwa event I did a photo shoot with ESPN at Sharks Cove and Jockos. No surfing was done for the shoot - just lifestyle shots. It will hit the newsstands Dec. 5th, 2007 - ESPN the Magazine.
My sister, Charleen, came over during her Thanksgiving break from high school. I decided this surf trip would be different from the others in my past. For the most part all my past trips have been strictly for training, surfing and contests. This time we took in a little sightseeing at Waimea Valley. We hiked up to the falls and dove in. Chilly! We walked through the small town of Haleiwa and, of course, stopped for shaved ice. We met a cool local family, Ron Artis, his wife Victoria and their children. They are incredibly artistic visually and musically. Surfers bring Ron their broken surfboards and he recreates them into beautiful visual art pieces. The whole family performs musically. We tried to see them perform at the Sunday concert across the street from the local McD’s but the rainy weather cut it short. We stayed in a cottage at Mokuleia. In front of our cottage the ocean was filled with sea turtles. My sister and I snorkeled along side the sea turtles and we enjoyed watching them. We saw a lot of life in the reef. I realized that there is still a lot of natural beauty in Hawaii not just the towering hotels of the south shore.

I tried paddle boarding. I really loved the workout and actually caught a few waves my first time out. I was able to surf many different spots during this trip. Here’s a list of some of our sessions: Haleiwa, Makaha beach park, Waimaea Bay, Pinballs, Laniakea, Jockos, Pupukea, Freddies, Chuns, Day Star, Beach park, PCCs. 

Enjoy the photos!

At the Reef Hawaiian Pro Haleiwa

During my first heat at the Reef Hawaiian Pro

I love watching the action from the tower!

Photo shoot with ESPN at Jockos

Pupukea - fun wave. I love the water color!

After my Pupukea session and ready for lunch

Mokuleia - in front of the cottages

More Mokuleia

I can't get over the beauty of this location - Mokuleia

I walk along the beach near the cottages with my brother and sister

I want to keep these guys protected - there were so many playing in the

water where we stayed

Snorklinig and treasure hunting! I actually found some cool stuff!

Kayaking with family and friends

Just loving the tranquility of this evening. No crowds!

Hanging with my sis. She's the coolest.

Visiting Bushy (Bushman surfboards) with my family on the north shore

At the Waimea Bay house with Uncle Layne and mom

The Waimea walk

Going out at Waimea with Uncle Phil

I'm the one out front (yellow board).  Classic Waimea - everyone takes

off at the same time

My brother and me at Waimea.  Check out the water color!

Waimea Bay with no crowd except for family and friends

Only my brother and I were out at Waimea.  It's rarely this way back home.

No crowds here!  I'm loving it!

More Waimea

My brother, Ryan, taking off at Waimea.

We went to the west side and got some good surf

Hanging with my sister and brother

Walked up to the Waimea Falls and dove in with my sister. Very chilly water!

Hair painting at a birthday party

All done and looking good!