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Hawaiian South Shore January Newsletter

HAPPY NEW YEAR! DID YOU CLEAN HOUSE? David Kelly | Owner, Hawaiian South Shore In Japan, the New Year celebration is one of the most important events on the Japanese calendar. They have a variety of different customs and events. One big event is “Osoji,” what we call ‘Spring Cleaning.’ The ritual is traditionally done at the end of the year as an opportunity to reset and begin the new year fresh. If you didn’t do your end of year cleaning, do it now, it’s not too late! When I clean, I use straight baking soda and a scrub sponge for the bathroom. The Magic Eraser works okay and DonQuijote always has them for a lower price. If you or your friends go to Japan, you can get a bag of it at 100yen stores. Someone just mentioned to me that they sell them on eBay under ‘melamine sponges’ for $7.79 for 100. Anyway, as you can tell, I do some of the cleaning at home! I hope you get a good sense of pride and have an awesome 2018!
HOW TO STOP MUSCLE CRAMPS NATURALLY Dr. David Williams | Professional Site If you experience muscle cramps while surfing, follow these tips to help stop the cramps and spasms in their tracks and prevent them from occurring again. CALCIUM: Around 90% of muscle cramps are caused by calcium deficiency. If you are already taking calcium supplements every day, but you still have cramps and spasms, you probably need to switch supplements. There are hundreds of calcium supplements on the market, but the ones that are the most useful to your body contain other elements along with calcium. Look for a product that contains the digestive acid betaine hydrochloride, magnesium, and vitamin D. Each of these will help increase the amount of calcium you assimilate into your system. PICKLE JUICE: A simple remedy for muscle cramps is eating a slice of sour pickle; the cramp is gone in about 60 seconds. It’s also supposed to prevent pulled hamstrings. Some athletic trainers say this is a grandma formula, but if it works, do it. PINCHING YOUR LIP: A doctor by the name of Donald Cooper discovered a technique you can use to put a stop to a sudden cramp or spasm. He says it works 90 percent of the time. Dr. Cooper describes the technique: At the first sign of muscle cramping, take a good, firm hold on the upper lip between the thumb and index finger, maintaining constant pressure. The cramping will stop or fade away, usually within 20 – 30 seconds, although sometimes it may take longer. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it! DMSO: You can also stop muscle cramps and spasms with dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) – a clear, colorless, slightly oily liquid with a faint smell of sulfur. When applied topically, DMSO passes through the skin’s oily membranes and reduces swelling, inflammation, and pain. DMSO is sold in both liquid and gel form. Use only the 99.9 percent liquid, as the creams and gels have been known to cause prolonged itching and irritation. Some people may still have a mild reaction to the liquid (usually warmth and a little itching at the site of the application) when they first use DMSO, but it is temporary and no cause for concern. To use DMSO, mix a solution of one part water and two parts DMSO (usually one capful of water and two capfuls of DMSO) and store it in a glass container. Using your fingers or a cotton swab, rub the DMSO directly into your skin. Most people suggest dabbing DMSO onto an area, but rubbing it on has been shown to improve the absorption time by up to 50 percent. A typical application is one to three teaspoons. Apply the DMSO at least three times a day.
NON-HODGKIN’S LYMPHOMA Spencer Chang, MD | Sports Medicine Fellowship Trained Orthopaedic Surgeon at Straub Clinic | WSL Orthopaedic Consultant In September of 2013, after recently getting back from a surf trip to Fiji, I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. While dining with friends at Musket Cove, I was discussing an enlarging lymph node on my neck and how I needed to get it checked out to make sure it wasn’t cancer. I had a previous lymph node removed from my neck in the past, and it turned out to be benign. My friends lambasted me for not getting it checked out sooner. This time, I wasn’t so lucky. I took off 5 months from work and surfing, needing chemotherapy and radiation treatments, and am happy to say that I am in complete remission. Thank you, Doctors Galen Choy and Laeton Pang! Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) is a group of blood cancers that includes all types of lymphoma except Hodgkin’s lymphomas. Symptoms include enlarged lymph nodes, fever, night sweats, weight loss, and tiredness. Other symptoms may include bone pain, chest pain, or itchiness. Some forms are slow growing, while others are fast growing. In 2015, about 4.3 million people had NHL and 231,400 died. 3.4% of all cancer deaths are caused by NHL. In the United States, 2.1% of people are affected at some point in their life. The most common age of diagnosis is between 65 and 75 years old. The percentage of people who survive five years in the United States is 71%. (Information from Wikipedia and NIH Cancer Institute.) Getting cancer any time during your life is not cool. But when you’re a senior in high school or a kid, it’s even worse. A good friend of mine, Dr. Michael Pi, an anesthesiologist who works with me, and his son, Micah have been going through some tough times. During the finals of the 2017 Vans World Cup of Surfing at Sunset Beach, Micah was spending his weekend at Kapiolani Medical Center doing his 5th round of chemotherapy for a Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma of the mediastinum (deep in his chest). Micah had been feeling really down, and I wanted to do something to cheer him up. While working the Van’s World Cup, I got one of my surfboards signed by the winner, Conner Coffin, and Josh Kerr, Josh Moniz, Makana Pang, Aritz Aranburu, Michael February, Reef Heazlewood, Colt Ward, Barron Mamiya, Jason Shibata, Kai Borg Garcia, Kid Peligro, and the WSL Medical team. He got a 5’10 Lost Hydroflex Surfboard with supercharger technology (from Hawaiian South Shore of course). I know Kapiolani Medical Center will do their job to cure his cancer. I hoped a little Christmas cheer would cure his spirit. I think his surfing buddies that came to visit him were a little jealous. By the way, Micah, it’s okay to take off your beanie, we do, including your awesome dad! Soon enough, you will be an inspiration to the many children who will go through the same experiences you are having and they’ll hope that they can be as strong as you! Here’s a link to my story: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KMxCFApsqqM For an appointment call the Straub Bone and Joint Center at 522-4232. Just say Dave from Hawaiian South Shore sent you! Also, if you have any questions shoot me an e-mail at skychang@straub.net.
MEMBER OF THE MONTH Blythe

I’m super stoked to be interviewing this month’s member of the month. It’s actually been a while since I’ve seen Blythe. When she comes into the store you can feel the POSITIVE energy and it makes me stoked when I see her. When and what got you into surfing? I’ve always had a love for the ocean as long as I can remember. A local girl, born and raised in Kapahulu. I grew up sponging at Waikiki “Walls”. At 16, I tried surfing for the first time. I vividly remember dusting off an old yellow single fin retro shaped 7’0 gun from under my Auntie’s house in Kaimuki. I could barely paddle the thing and had never felt so unstable and out of control. After endless slews of wipeouts, I was determined to catch a wave and stand. Words cannot express how stoked I was when I caught my first wave. I felt as if I were gliding on top of the water and saw everything from a whole new perspective. Needless to say, from that moment on, I was hooked! Did you have a time you weren’t surfing? If so, when and why did you start back up? I’ve been in the military (Hawaii Army and Air National Guard) for just under 9 years, and have been away from home on numerous occasions for months at a time. I was not able to surf during the tenure of my service obligations. However, I’ve always managed to find my way back to the waters of the Pacific Ocean, a place of happiness and peace, a place I am most free and in my element, and most of all, a place I call home. Surfing has and will always be my passion and escape. When I’m surfing, I forget about all the negative things and worries in my life. It’s like they don’t exist and I’m on “Hakuna Matata” mode… “No worries!” Where is your favorite place to eat after you surf and what is your favorite item? I used to eat at Rainbows Drive Inn after a long surf sesh. I’d order a slush float and plate lunch (mixed or BBQ steak). But now it’s Foodland poke bowls that I crave. Outside of surfing what do you do for fun? I also enjoy indoor cycling and lifting weights. What do you do for work? What do you like about it? I’m a Public Affairs Officer for the Hawaii Air National Guard (HIANG). I enjoy working with fellow airmen and local media in efforts to provide timely and accurate information to the community, and help to share/tell the HIANG story. I also get to meet celebrities and work cool events and movie productions. That’s the really fun part of my job. What board(s) did you get from us recently? I recently purchased a 5’5 Libtech Puddle Jumper, which is super fabulous by the way. I had no idea! Why did you decide on this model and size? At first, I was hesitant because it looked like a stubby little fun board with way too much volume on the nose. However, I was amazingly impressed with how well it paddled, its buoyancy, speed and flexibility. How did it surf and what did you like about it? This board rides like a traditional performance board and it’s very forgiving on late takeoffs. It’s also sturdy, durable, and handles in practically all types of conditions; from waste-high to overhead. So far, I’ve ridden PJ at Makaha, White Plains, Cliffs, Outside Overs, and North Beach. This board rocks! What size fins and set up are you using? Have you tried other fins on the board? I find this board performs best with a quad setup. I use the FCS Accelerator Series (Small) with the FCS AM (quad) rear fins. Anything else you want to add? Big mahalo to David and Stef for their hospitality and excellent customer service. They really took the time to help me find the right board. If you are looking for quality boards and surf gear, I highly recommend checking out Hawaiian South Shore. They’re #awesomesauce.
WHAT'S GOING ON AT HAWAIIAN SOUTH SHORE? NEW VEKTOR FINS!

If you ride a shortboard or a fish and have a quad set up, you may notice that sometimes when you are pumping down the line, the board slides out. You may also notice that when you make a deep bottom turn, the board either bogs or slides out. The Vektor fin will help eliminate all of that. It’s designed so you can surf the board top to bottom like a thruster. The Nubster became famous when Slater used it in the New York Contest, but Ryan at Vektor came up with this design several years before that. Last month, Ryan made a keel center fin for you to get a little more hold, but more release at the top. You can use this one with your twin set up and Longboard side fins too. Reward members can demo these for FREE. Check them out on our site, the fins come in FCS and Futures. If you need any additional help, give us a call at 597-9055, or... Stop on by and we'd love to help you!

COREY COLAPINTO CAME BY! Team Rider for CJ Nelson I really didn’t realize how young and humble Corey Colapinto, the team rider for CJ Nelson was! We did a video interview, which we will post on our blog. We asked him about his model, the strength and how it surfed. He currently only has two sizes: 8’3” and 8’9” for 2018. What he’s most stoked on with the board is even though it’s an EPS Core, the board is not corky in the water like most epoxy boards. It’s light enough to make it easy to maneuver, but heavy enough so it glides through the chop. We have the 8’3” in our demo fleet, so come down and check it out! I’ve rode it several times and it’s a really fun board.

EVEN AUNTY DIANE FROM KEWALO'S was super stoked to be on it! If you know Aunty Diane, you know she does not hold back. What she liked about it was the easy turning, it’s loose and you can cut back with ease. It doesn’t feel like a single fin. What she didn’t like about it was that the nose is larger than what she is accustomed to. She does not like paddling for the wave, so she’s usually in the steeper section taking off. Someone told her to sit outside like most surfers do and paddle for the wave. Once she did that, she was able to ride the small waves all the way to the inside with no problem. It wants to go forever. Also, even though the board is epoxy it felt like a regular fiberglass board. I have to totally agree with her about the feel, it does not have the chattering sounds like other epoxy boards and the board has so much drive, but it’s easy to turn. Definitely a winner! If you're interested in these boards, or if you just want to learn more, feel free to check out our CJ Nelson page: here. We even have short videos explaining the boards for you all!


NEW ALOHA DAYS SWEATERS! Keep warm even after the holidays!

These awesome sweaters to keep you warm are only available at Hawaiian South Shore! Check it out online or in the store. The inventory on our website is updated every hour so you can shop online, get points and use your reward discounts online.
REVIEWS, REVIEWS AND MORE REVIEWS!! We love getting your reviews! Check some of them out!

❝ I love my Straw Hat jacket. It is functional and fashionable. The jacket keeps me warm, while still giving me the freedom to paddle. Love it! ❞ - Elyn

   

 

❝ Love it! Thanks so much for the great advice and feedback. The Puddle Jumper with the Libtech construction surfs great and I know it will last for years. I plan on making it a staple of my travel quiver and using it at home in stall days. ❞

Aloha and Mahalo, Dan


FINDING THE RIGHT SIZE WETSUIT Helpful tips, advice, and information. The purpose of this article is to help you find a proper fitting wetsuit. Wetsuits are designed to trap the water inside your suit. If it’s too big and baggy, the warm water trapped in the suit will flush out and fresh, cold water will enter. The goal is to have a suit that fits snug, but if the suit is too small, then comfort is compromised. Finding the right size is actually easy if you know what to watch for. If you spend a large amount of cash you can have a specialist measure every dimension of your body and build you a custom wetsuit. Although there is nothing wrong with having a custom suit made, I believe it’s totally unnecessary for most body shapes and sizes. As a matter of fact, most high-end wetsuits from Japan are done in that manner. Believe me, it took us almost two years to persuade the manufacturer to make the Straw Hat wetsuits with standard sizes. Having a wetsuit with too long of a sleeve isn’t an issue. Most wetsuit manufacturers err on the side of being too long, so it’s normal for the legs and sleeves to be a bit scrunched up when you wear a wetsuit dry. The small wrinkles in the limbs don’t alter warmth or comfort. When you get in the water, the suit tends to position itself on your body. So the most important thing is that the wetsuit is comfortable and snug. Having a snug suit is super important, especially when the surf becomes larger. The suit stretches and it’ll hold you down and drag you. WEARING YOUR SUIT, THE EASY WAY: Getting into and out of a wetsuit takes some practice. One of the easiest ways to get into your wetsuit is to use a plastic trash bag. Just place the bag over your foot or hands, slip the suit on, then pull the bag off. This is one of the best ways to wear your suit, especially if you want the seams to last. IMPORTANT NOTE: Avoid over-stretching fabric and seams when pulling the suit by using your fingers like you’re pinching the suit. Avoid using your fingernails.

AFTER YOUR SURF SESSION: You need to care for your suit or it won’t last. Rinse with fresh, cool water after every use. Do not use hot water as it will cause the neoprene to lose its’ flexibility. Hang dry in the shade and not in direct sunlight. UV breaks down the neoprene and causes it to dry and age quicker. The best way to hang dry is not to hang it by the shoulders like you’d hang a jacket, but to place it through the hanger and let it hang folded in half. Not only does it dry faster, but it also places less stress on the shoulders. If at all possible, store your suit in a cool, dry place and not in your car, where the heat will cook and bake the stretching properties of the suit. FAST DRYING TECHNIQUES: I found one of the best and safest ways to dry your suit up to 80% before hang drying it is to use your beach towel. Spread your beach towel flat on the ground and lay the wetsuit on top. Then take the excess towel and fold it over the suit. Starting from the top, roll the towel and wetsuit up like a burrito. As you’re rolling, squash the moisture out with your knees by bouncing on the roll. Smash the towel as much as possible, it will absorb the water. Unroll the wetsuit burrito and hang dry, remembering to hang it through the hanger folded in half, for a faster drying time.
ACCORDING TO SCIENTISTS, VISITING THE BEACH CAN CHANGE YOUR BRAIN IN AN INCREDIBLE WAY The positive effects of being at the beach.

We all know that spending time outdoors is good for us on both a physical and mental level, but the benefits of spending time specifically at the beach have just been revealed. That incredible feeling of peace and calmness that you experience at the beach is now being referred to as “blue space.” That’s what scientists have dubbed the effect that the combination of soothing smells and sounds of water have on your brain. The blue space is enough to make you feel at ease in a hypnotic sort of way. When you notice how relaxed you feel at the beach, it’s not just all in your head. Science says that it’s a change in the way your brain reacts to its environment leaving you feeling happy, relaxed and reenergized. Overall, this blue space affects you in three different ways: 1.) Going to the beach reduces stress. Water is nature’s cure to life’s stressors. It’s full of naturally occurring positive ions that are known for having the ability to make you feel at ease. So, whether you jump in for a swim or simply dip your toes in the water, you’re sure to experience a feeling of relaxation. That’s one instant mood booster we could all use from time to time! 2.) The beach boosts your creativity. Feeling like you’re in a creative rut? Well, scientists now believe that the solution to this is the beach. Being in blue space allows you to clear your head and approach problems or projects in a more creative way. Much like meditation, the beach triggers a feeling of calmness that allows you to tune everything else out and reflect on what it is you’ve been needing to focus on. 3.) Going to the beach can help reduce feelings of depression. Much like the effects that the beach has on feelings of stress and creative ruts, the beach also provides some relief to feelings of depression. The hypnotic sound of the waves in combination with the sight and smells of the beach can put you into a meditative space. In turn, you can clear your mind and reflect on life in a safe space, away from the chaos of your daily life. Read more about the "blue space": here.
THE HALO ADVANTAGE All about the Takayama Halo Fins!

While Donald Takayama’s contribution to surfing and surfboard design runs the gamut from longboards to short, and even includes a storied career as a professional competitor, perhaps his most futuristic and visionary invention is the Halo Fin. Drawing on the theory behind the pivot fin, Takayama sought to create a fin system that allowed larger wave riding vehicles such as longboards, SUPs, and shorter hybrids to turn with ease and efficiency. And when he finally nailed the science and perfected the design, it was quintessential Takayama to give it the simplest name possible—Halo, which means “fin” in Hawaiian. There are two major notes of interest when it comes to the Halo Fin. First of all, the center and side fins work together closely. In fact, the center fin can be considered an extension of the side fins. Thus, this isn’t a setup where you want to slap a center Halo onto a board with a pair of random standard fins. In fact, if you look closely at the outline of the typical fin versus a Halo side fin, you will notice that the orientation of the fins is almost completely opposite. That is the genius of Takayama’s invention. While the standard keel fin (which all modern fins are descended from) has a leading edge that is rounded back, and then a trailing edge that is straight or nearly vertical in orientation to the bottom of the board (modern keels and standard shortboard fins are simply keels with adjustments made to the shape of the trailing edge), the Halo side fins are actually reversed. The leading edge is straight, while the trailing edge is curved. This may seem to fly in the face of everything that we “know” about modern fin design, but Donald Takayama was never afraid to think for himself, and what he found was that this fin setup allowed for sharper, more responsive turns on larger boards—even when the surfer wasn’t standing over the fins. (This last point is important, because one of the limitations of large boards such as longboards and SUPs is that they can typically only be turned from the tail).

The Halo center fin is an interesting hybrid. In many ways, it resembles the standard pivot fin (which Takayama has also been credited with inventing). However, if you compare the shape of a side Halo fin to the tip of the center Halo fin, you will find that they are practically identical. In essence, Takayama has taken a side Halo fin and extended its’ length, creating a Halo-ended pivot fin that works in concert with the side fins. When all of the elements in the Halo setup come together, what you get is a more efficient, faster fin setup that increases drive while also improving turning radius. Considering the fact that most fins have to compromise between drive and maneuverability, it would seem that the Halo fin is the mythical silver bullet, providing both, rather than sacrificing one for the other. And that is exactly what Donald Takayama intended. For those looking to spice up the ride on their mod- ern longboard, SUP, or even mid-length quad, it’s pretty difficult to find a setup more cutting-edge than the Halo Fin. Hawaiian South Shore is one of only a few distributors worldwide carrying the Halo Fin. For more info on the design, check out this informative video that Hawaiian Pro Designs head honcho Noah Shimabukuro put together for us: https://www.hawaiiansouthshore.com/surf-accessories/Surfboard-Fins/takayama_halo_fins/

JOIN OUR LOYALTY PROGRAM

It pays to be a rewards member. Receive 5% back, free shipping on phone and online orders and you get your orders in two days usually. Also, receive 15% off for your birthday month! If you upgrade to our Platinum membership, you’ll receive 10% back and 20% off for your birthday month.

It’s a ONE TIME $20 membership fee!


DEMO BOARDS AVAILABLE TO TRY BEFORE YOU BUY!

For our Rewards Members!

Libtech Puddle Jumper 5’5 (2), 5’7, 5’9, 5’11 (2) Round Nose Fish 5’6 Short Round 5’10 Sub Buggy 6’0 Nude Bowl 5’11 Extension Ramp – 6’6 Pick Up Stick – 7’0 Stewart Redline 11 9’0 x 24 ½ x 3 ½ 9’0 x 22 x 2 ¾ 9’0 x 23 x 3 ¼ Stewart Funline 11 8’0 x 23 x 3 ½ CJ Nelson Sprout 9’6 Harley Ingleby Cruiser 9’5 Harley Ingleby Diamond Drive 9’2 Corey Colapintail 8’3