Cloudbreak is a world-class wave that breaks in Tavarua, a 29-acre heart-shaped island located five miles off the western shore of Viti Levu, Fiji’s main island. Tavarua is home to some of the world’s best tropical surfing waves, and one of the 333 islands that make up Fiji. In the past, this mosquito-free island was […]
Every second of every day, there’s a wave breaking somewhere in the world. Nevertheless, we seem to lack alternative words to describe this daily, large scale phenomenon. Waves are poetry in motion. Actually, they’re always on the go and ready to reach their ultimate obstacles. The goal of an ocean wave is to travel and […]
Laird Hamilton is a key personality in the development of big wave surfing. On August 17, 2000, he rode one of the meanest and thickest waves on the planet. This is the story of the Millennium Wave. Half Hawaiian, half Californian, Laird Hamilton pioneered the birth of tow-in surfing and participated in some of the […]
Lei is the name of the famous flower necklace made in Hawaii. Hawaiian leis are vibrant and colorful wreaths or garlands worn around the neck. They feature fresh tropical flowers but, on a wider interpretation, it can also mean a series of items strung together so that they can be worn. A lei is presented […]
Teahupoo is one of the heaviest and most powerful waves in the world and, as its etymology shows, the place is a do-or-die surfing arena. Located at the southwest tip of Tahiti, in French Polynesia, Teahupoo is the typical Pacific freak of nature. The hollow and thunderous surf spot breaks approximately 500 yards offshore in […]
The word “Aloha” has several meanings, and they all share a common Hawaiian origin, history and culture. So what does Aloha mean? History books are not clear when did the “Aloha” expression enter the Hawaiian vocabulary, but several sources date it back to the end of the 18th century. The official publications tell us that “Aloha” […]
Shame, fear, weakness, and misunderstanding. Pro surfers and pro surfing organizations don’t want to talk about homosexuality, but the truth is that diversity is out there. “Caught Inside: The Taboo of Being a Gay Surfer” is a simple documentary about three gay surfers who have all recently come out in a sub-culture where they say […]
Surfboard shaper Roger Hinds has replicated the best classic Aipa Sting, by Ben Aipa, at the “Icons of Foam: Tribute to the Masters”. The board was made specifically for Buttons Kaluhiokalani, in 1974. It features a subtle beak nose, sleek down rails, a flat deck and the iconic Ben Aipa Sting. “This has been an […]