Howzit North Shore! The full moon that graced our tropical skies in early July had a powerful effect on tides, events, people, cats, dogs and even porpoises! Now hear me out, o.k.? There was a huge pod of young porpoises playing around outside of Haleiwa harbor every morning in early July, and I’m sure their aquatic sonar language was broadcasting the invitation to come out and play with them in the water. Cats were spazzing out all over the neighborhood like fur on fire! Dogs got into heavy moonlight barking competitions. People were acting like lunatics a little more than usual, and the 4th of July weekend went richter with the entire shoreline and Kapiolani Park area from Waikiki to Diamond Head full of people, tents, music, barbecues and parties. It was a wild weekend… starting with the Premiere of Jack McCoy’s surf film “Blue Horizon” on the 1st and 2nd at the Blaisdell with banner attendance… and winding up with the “Choppers Only” motorcycle rally at KCC and onward into a fireworks-filled 4th of July celebration. Then finally things began winding down with Monday, the 5th , being a holiday and a chance just to recuperate from the madness.

Another great new surf film premiered at the end of June to a VIP/ Invitational Only audience whose guest list read like a “who’s who” of surfing legends, surf industry biggies and the surf media along with other classic surf-related individuals. “Riding Giants” follows the evolution of Big Wave Riding from the Ancient Hawaiians right up through Greg Noll’s attacks on Waimea and Makaha in the 60’s and capping off with Laird Hamilton’s infamous tow-in assaults at Jaws, Teahupoo and elsewhere in the 90’s and on into 2004. Executive produced by Laird himself, shot and edited by Stacy Peralta with assists from Sam George and others… “Riding Giants” is a classic, authentic and beautiful journey “In Search of the Biggest Wave”.

The $260,000 Billabong Pro gets underway at Jeffreys Bay in South Africa from July 13-23. This next stop on the men’s ASP World Championship Tour should be on fire. “Supertubes”, the venue for the 20th edition of what has become Africa’s most prestigious and lucrative surfing tournament, is universally acknowledged as one of the planet’s top 10 high performance waves.” (ASP quote) Sure to be another showdown between Andy Irons and Kelly Slater, there are also a number of very hot wildcard surfers and locals from Jeffreys who are definite contenders. With 45 of the world’s best and 3 wildcards it’s going to be an extremely competitive event!

Another contest was on in South Africa in early July. The Bayview Big Wave 2004 is a high performance bodyboard contest held in huge surf and shallow, hollow grinding tubes. The venue is Hermanus, a sleepy little fishing village near Cape Town. Appropiately, a massive 30 foot swell was predicted for the event and we will have results from the gladiator pit in the next issue. With 20 of the world’s best putting it on the line in huge and dangerous surf, the Bayview Big Wave 2004 should be quite a show. Stay tuned for results!

The Hui O Hee Nalu 2004 Independence Day Paddleboard Race was held on Sunday, July 4th. The 3.5 mile race began at Sunset Beach and finished at Waimea Bay. Thanks to Aquafina, Red Bull, Mahina, Earl, the Lifeguards, the Hui and many more for making it a great event! Australian Jamie Mitchell finished 1st in 31:11. He also had the top time last year of just over 36 minutes, but as everyone commented… the currents and conditions were a little rougher this year. Mick Betta had the 2nd best time at 33:07, and Justin Mitchell… Jamie’s brother, was right behind at 33:14. North Shore Boy Chris Owens was 4th to finish at 34:01. There were many age group champions, women’s champions, tandem champions, surfboard division champions… and you were a champion if you just finished the grueling paddle in the mid-day mid-summer sun!

Summer is half over, and the winter surf season will be on us soon again. Get your ads in early for the North Shore News Triple Crown of Surfing Special Edition. EVERYONE reads it. Call 637-3138 today!

Congratulations to Louis Silva, the new Manager at Rosie’s Cantina in Haleiwa. The food is better than ever, the service is superb and the fish tacos rule! Go for lunch, have a few Margaritas and stay for dinner… and tell them that Ace sent you! Aloha….Ace Cool!