Congratulations Melanie on Maui, Honolua to Hookipa Bay!

     Happy New Years and may all your goals and dreams be fulfilled this year!  In the beginning weeks of December 2008 I followed Melanie Bartels to the last jewel of the famous Triple Crown Hawaii competition held at traditionally at Honolua Bay, Maui.  In 2-3 foot Hawaiian style wave heights the competition took off!!  It was exciting and the women charged it hard!  In December 2006 I followed the young Hawaiian phnom and she unfortunately was taken out before the semi’s by Australian Jesse Dyer Myer.  Surfing is different as far as competition goes because a lot depends on the waves you may or may not get during your 20-30 minute heat.  If the waves don’t come in…you’re done.  And such was the case in 2006.  This year Melanie was victorious over the Australian to move on to the quarter finals.  After a week long break due to no surf and a storm hitting Hawaii the contest resumed at Hookipa Bay.  There Melanie challenged Punahou youngster Carissa Moore.  Taking her down Melanie then went on to the Semi final surfing against Brazilian Silvana Lima and then surfing the final against Steph Gilmore.  Melanie opened up with a good solid scoring wave and so did Steph.  For me watching & listening to the scoring it seems the judges score Steph Gilmore a lot higher then the rest of the competitiors and she does less maneuvers.  I haven’t figured that one out yet, but when I do I will let you know.  Anyway, Steph Gilmore won the event as well as the Triple Crown Title for 2008 but for me my champion and friend Melanie made me so proud!!  She didn’t give up, believed in herself and her ability and appreciated all her friends coming to Maui to support her and as she says “give her their mana (divine power)”.  She is humble and surfs her heart out for her son Ezekiel as well as her nation, the nation of Hawaii.  We are proud of you and will continue to support, encourage and inspire you to attain your dreams!  Dream BIG!  Dream come TRUE!!

Aloha

A history season underway making way!

 

     It’s been a week and a half since history was made with the first black president of the United States of America winning hands down to Republican candidate John McCain.  Barack Obama inspired many with his campaign “Yes we can” for the most historical presidential race in U.S history.  People could relate and connect to his honesty, his message of changing the country, restoring government and his family like values.   It was a awesome experience and I do hope for change!

      On another note, I am stoked about it being the winter season here in Hawaii!!  The waves are up and I been surfing hot spots here on Oahu’s North and West shores!  The water has been clean and beautiful.  You can see clear through the bottom!  Then the surfers make their way on waves graceful and strong and you feel like you’re watching a surfing movie.  These athletes are incredible at what they do!  It is wonderful to be apart of and I am thankful!!     

     Now let’s get to the good part!  Why I blog.  It’s all about the vibe in Hawaii during this time of year!!  Let’s admit it’s a changing and energetic season here in paradise with the arrival of the waves!    Why not blog?  This is history as in happens through my lens.  With that in mind here is where we are at.

      Last week the Van’s Triple Crown of Surfing contest at Haleiwa began with moderate wave heights of up to 6 feet.  My friend and surfing inspiration Melanie Bartels of Makaha made it to the quarter finals.  Her dream is to win the famous Hawaiian Triple Crown Jewel event.  We born and raised on Oahu’s Leeward side all SUPPORT her and any victory she attains, we ALL feel like we win too!  Throughout history, depressed peoples, depressed communities etc. have looked up to their athletes as a ray of light.  A beacon of hope.  In hopes that as they succeed the people and community will succeed also.  Melanie is no exception to that rule.  We have great expectations for her and her surfing career.  As she climbs up we climb up with her lifting, motivating, and supporting her through this Hawaiian sport.

     At 5 a.m we friends packed up on Sunday morning to make the long drive to Haleiwa.  Only to hear the contest was cancelled due to junk surf conditions.   I guess we’ll have to wait again.   Well we have all been waiting for the Hawaiian surf season to kick in to support her after claiming victory in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil this past summer.       Melanie surfs the first heat tomorrow and we’re making plans to be there!!  I wish her more then luck, I wish her prosperity and the reality that dreams come true!!!  You are a true champion and not just the pride of the West side.  You are a inspiration to many keiki (children) and people

Melanie Bartels representing Hawaii at Van

who dare to dream!!  Go get um tiger!!

testing testing..

Makaha’s Melanie Bartels wins ASP Title!

 

Congratulations on your ASP victory in Rio!

For all you Melanie Bartels fans out there!!  We have news for you!  Melanie won the Billabong Pro in Rio Dejaniero Brazil on Sept 17, 2008.  ”It’s an amazing feeling and I’m just overwhelmed right now,” Bartels said. “My last win was in 2006 as a wildcard at Sunset so to be able to come out on top today, in these conditions, is really special. The waves started to deteriorate towards the end, but I was able to grab a couple of scores against Sofia (Mulanovich) and I was really just surfing my own heat out there and doing my own thing. I was having fun.”  

 

Melanie congratulations and I can’t wait to go surfing with you this winter!  You are a inspiration and I wish I could surf like you!!

Aloha everyone!

Welcome to my brand new blog and thanks for stopping by!!  Through out this new winter surf season that is drawing near to us in Hawaii, you can look forward to beautiful shots I will be uploading keeping you up to date with all the ocean vibes and action!!