Hawaiian South Shore Member of the Month - Mike Watson

When and why did you initially get into surfing?

As a grom I was heavily into windsurfing & when that dried up in the 90’s I turned to surfing & had my local shaper shape me a longboard. 

Did you have a time period you laid off from surfing? If so, when and why did you start back up?

I have been distracted by other sports (& work) throughout the years but have always come back to surfing.

What is your favorite thing about surfing? 

I love the simplicity of surfing & the fact that no two waves are the same, it just never gets old!

Where is your favorite place to eat after surfing? What is your favorite item on the menu?

Loving the Poke bowls here in Hawaii & the Poi Dog from Hula Dog is a must try. 

What other hobbies do you have besides surfing?

Sailing, kitesurfing, wing foiling, mountain biking, gym.

What type of work do you do?

I'm an engineer but semi-retired now.

Tell us about the board you recently purchased from us. What model and size is it, and how do you like its performance?

9’0 Mango Jam by Kai Sallas in Thunderbolt construction, (we also have the 9’4 version). I love involvement-style shapes with the wide point pulled back slightly from middle, & with some edge in the tail. These boards surf really well off the tail, particularly in better surf. I’ve owned many Thunderbolts over the past few years & I believe that their construction method is second to none, super durable but not too corky like most epoxy boards. The boards have a really nice traditional weight & feel to them & also offer a nice flex. I have ridden thunderbolts in double overhead surf in Fiji & am yet to break one.

Do you have any additional comments? 

I’ve been following Hawaiian South Shore for some time now & really appreciate the board reviews that the guys do on Youtube, super useful! It’s been so good to finally come to Hawaii, meet the crew & check out the shop. We were greeted with much Aloha & Brett even dropped the new board to our hotel for us! 

Mahalo guys!!