Page 6 - MidWeek West - July 13, 2022

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JULY 13, 2022
Aloha surfers and beachgoers,
Howzit? Well, we’ve been in a bit of a slump with south swells last week. July has started off relatively slow. Luckily this week it’s going to pick up again, rees- tablishing our high standards.
been full as early at 6:30 a.m. when our Surf News Network observers cruise down for a spot check. That tells you a lot right there.
rescue. Don’t be fooled by the smaller days. Respect Sandy’s and Makapu‘u and when in doubt, don’t go out.
out a hitch and was a sight to behold as you looked out into the ocean with so many pad- dlers. Congrats to my friend and SNN reporter and ob- server Blair Thorndike for his third place finish for the 50- plus crew. They’re hardcore and an inspiration. Good job to all who participated.
ation. It’s also the oldest annu- al outrigger canoe race in the world, having started in 1943.
Now, I must make honor- able mention of our east and southeast sectors like Maka- pu‘u and Sandy’s. They’ve been pumping out plenty of fun thanks to summertime trades for days on end with nice sandbars at both spots. There have been days when the parking lot at Sandy’s has
Now, for those of you who don’t have much experience at these shorebreak sandbars, please note Sandy’s has the most spinal injuries! Another important note is that these usually occur in surf that’s 3 feet or less.
Well, the Fourth of July weekend felt like we were re- ally back to normal — an odd mix of old and new normal. Events are all back in action. I’m stoked.
Canoe racing is Hawai‘i’s state sport, and more than 2,000 paddlers compete in the MacFarlane regatta races. There are a total of 46 events, with girls and boys age 12 and under as well as master men and women to 70. The course has seven lanes, so, this is also a sight to behold.
BY GARY KEWLEY
Fourth Of July Weekend Sees Events Back In Action
So, when you see the lo- cals who have grown up body boarding and body surfing here since they were in di- apers work their magic and make it look easy, it’s not! Our
Blair Thorndike
PHOTO COURTESY MAGGIE SHEEDY
local talents also know how to wipe out. For them, it’s a splash, for some others, it’s a
After a pandemic pause, the Da Hui Fourth of July Paddle- board and Stand Up Paddle Race kicked off for hun- dreds. There were two start- ing points: Turtle Bay Resort (the long course) and Sunset Beach (the short course) to Waimea Bay. It went off with-
We also had the Walter J. MacFarlane Memorial Canoe Regatta back in Waikīkī. Ca- noe paddlers joined thousands of visitors and spectators for the Outrigger Canoe Club’s annual event. It’s the only wave race of the O‘ahu Ha- waiian Canoe Racing Associ-
Make sure you make it to either town or country for our local events in the future.
GQ, droppin’ in 4 U!
gary@surfnewsnetwork.com