Hawaii Did I Ever Come Home?
Posted by Landozine - 07/02/10 at 04:02:34 am
Melanie coming out from one last shred before sunset
I just got home from a week long vacation in Honolulu. Let me tell you, going from -20 to +20 in a matter of hours is incredible. Stepping off that plane I was immersed in a very strange, yet entirely appealing culture. I’ve never really enjoyed the USA very much, they tend to have their heads up their asses and their noses in everyone’s business. Hawaii didn’t strike me that way at all, and I’m left to assume that this is a result of their geographic isolation and polynesian influence.
The only time I became angry with American ‘policies’ was when I went into a 7 eleven to buy several items; including wine, condoms and handcuffs (seriously) and the dumb lady couldn’t read my drivers license and decided to tell me that she “only accepts American I.D”. So I told her “There is a reason why the entire world hates your country” at which point she started stuttering and looked like she either pooped herself or wanted to cry. I bought the condoms and handcuffs and went next door to buy the wine.
The thing I found most interesting about Hawaii was how deep surf culture permeates their society; sort of the way Hockey rules Canadian culture. Even their sports bars have surf boards all over the walls signed by pros and surf legends, the way we have pictures of hockey greats. In fact while I was there, the Volcom Pipeline Pro competition was going on and it was on all the TV’s at the resort and bars we went to. Very cool. Obviously surrounded by all of this, I was pumped to give surfing a shot. We found a little beach on the South West shore of the island where the waves were manageable, and called ‘Hawaii Surfboard Rentals’… an interesting venture which will deliver a surfboard to you anywhere on the island within 20 minutes for 30$; and you get to use the board all day and then they come and pick it up…
Learning to surf was pretty fun, I didn’t take lessons or anything but I managed to get up all the same. I definitely recommend trying it if any of you ever find yourselves near the ocean.
The surf culture in Hawaii has resulted in a great collection of concrete parks all through the island of Oahu. Before I went there I had a really hard time finding good pictures and descriptions of the parks. And the parks that I did find weren’t as good as the parks that I actually rode. The first park that I rode, I found by accident. On the North Shore of Oahu is the most famous surf spot in the world called Pipeline, and right across the street from this beach is a well hidden little bowl park filled with salty old surfers that would put ol’ Redbeard to shame. The first time I showed up and took my bike out of the car, I knew it was a no-go. 20 or 30 skaters giving me the stink eye. So I returned the next day at 9am and gave it a quick shred. The park was built around an old pool, classic 70s kidney pool with stairs and everything you’d expect. Some of the smoothest trannies I’ve ever ridden too. I would love to ride there without worrying about having skaters murder me for falling and scraping the concrete. I did get a chance to ride a couple of other parks though. I met a bunch of locals, and had a great time riding my bike… if only for a couple of days before I came home to this frigid climate again. I have a video that I’m uploading right now, and I’ll have posted soon that will give a better idea of what those parks are like. But I do have one photo from the Pipeline skatepark below. Note the bathing suit styles with no socks. Just like it used to be in the 206 days.
The trip was great, I could have spent much more than a week on that island. Unfortunately I ran out of both time and money, but I’m coming home with memories that definitely make it worthwhile. I’d love to go back someday on a dedicated BMX trip, it would definitely be worth it.
We went whale watching one day and spotted this humpback just off the south shore in Waikiki.
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I’ve read stuff before how even visiting skaters (pro and otherwise) get vibed out at parks there. Seems like a territorial thing. Locals Only brah.
Comment by Prashant — February 7, 2010 #
wicked!!! can’t wait to hear more!
Comment by Rich Red — February 7, 2010 #
Oh yah, Roland would probably catch more waves, then hand plant a spine in one afternoon. TAKE IT.
Comment by Prashant — February 7, 2010 #
Roland would probably also wrestle a shark and save a hula maiden from a giant ape. I’m not competing with patriarchs here.
Comment by Landozine — February 7, 2010 #
Don’t worry about the old man….Rev caught his first wave today and a whole shit load more after. Honestly I think I was more stoked than when I caught my first wave a few years ago. Fatherhood rules!
Comment by rolandlite — February 7, 2010 #