Blog

Donation Drive at Hawaiian South Shore in cooperation with Hi-Tech Maui          Aloha Friends, As many of you know, a devastating fire recently impacted the island of Maui. To support our neighbors in Maui during this difficult time, Hawaiian South Shore is organizing a clothing and textile donation drive. We kindly ask the community to drop off donations in the parking lot on the Mauka side of our Ward Avenue location. Donors can simply pull up and we will collect any new or gently used clothing, towels, sheets, underwear, t-shirts and other textiles. The donation drive will run from August 11th...

FRK Surfboard Review We caught up with Thomas after he took the Firewire FRK model out for a test drive on the North Shore. As a long-time resident, Thomas typically rides shortboards in the 28-32 liter range or a step-up around 40 liters. For his first time on an epoxy board, Thomas was very impressed with how the FRK performed in 2-3ft surf. He felt like he was paddling past everyone out in the lineup. The board's volume carried his speed well and allowed smooth glide through slower sections. Thomas opted for a set of FCS II Medium upright fins...

It was a clean sweep for the Queens crew at the US Open of Surf as Kelis Kaleopa’a winning her second title in a row and Kaniela Stewart taking home the win for the men.   After a hard-fought week in which many of the world’s best longboarders put together impressive performances, it was all Hawaii on finals day. Kaniela (Kani) took down former world champion Taylor Jensen to move into first place on the ratings   while Kelis beat fellow Oahu native Honolua Blomfeld in the tricky peaks on the south side of Huntington Pier. The longboard world tour...

Discovering Cape St. Francis and the Birth of Endless Summer The new documentary film Birth of the Endless Summer explores a pivotal but overlooked chapter in surfing's history - the discovery of the iconic Cape St. Francis surf break in South Africa by pioneering surfer Dick Metz in the late 1950s. Director Richard Yelland's film tells the story of how Metz's fateful travels and connections helped spread surf culture from its California roots to the burgeoning surf scene in South Africa during that era. The film recounts Metz's role in the origins of the classic surf film The Endless Summer...

Firewire Machado Twin Fin Sunday Now in THUNDERBOLT RED CONSTRUCTION Limited Edition Ride the waves with smooth style on the Rob Machado Thunderbolt Sunday surfboard. This limited edition board combines the smooth glide of classic funboards with the speed and maneuverability of advanced composite construction. The Sunday's clean, continuous outline lends itself to smooth, rail-to-rail surfing, while the full nose provides paddle power and down-the-line speed for sub-par waves and lazy Sunday morning sessions. The twin fin setup provides a wide range of fin options, from classic keels to modern twins, while the added volume makes the board fun and...

Seaside and Beyond in Thunderbolt  SHOP NOW  Experience the blend of smooth gliding and sharp cutting ability with our high-performance Seaside and Beyond, now available in the innovative new Thunderbolt Red construction. This versatile hybrid fish design excels in small to overhead surf, providing easy paddling and precision maneuvering through its combination of subtle rocker profile and quad fin setup. The elongated outline offers ample glide to pick up speed in slower sections, while maintaining momentum across flat spots. "I rode it in everything. Super small days, bigger days and everything in between. It’s become a board that I will...

Red Baron Surfboard Review Kipos (5'6" and weighs 145 pounds) takes us along for a surf session and shares his experience riding the Red Baron 5'3" surfboard. The waves are looking good, and Kipos has been enjoying riding this board lately. He mentions that he also surfs in the country but decided to hit the waves at South Peoples today. As the conversation continues, Kipos and his surfing buddy discuss different board sizes and preferences. He mentions trying different fins, including the Machados and Al Merrick ones, but ultimately finds that the current fin setup on his Red Band board...

Mashup Surfboard Review  Surfer measure 5'10" and weigh around 230 pounds. The discussion progresses to the board's paddling characteristics. Despite its narrow-looking nose, the board proves to be a great paddle weight, providing excellent buoyancy and ease of maneuverability. Its design exceeds expectations, offering versatility and capability beyond initial perceptions. The surfer reveals he opted for a two plus one setup with Mick Fanning fins. Additionally, he mentions acquiring an additional set of super-fast fins, enhancing the board's speed and overall performance. The board thrives in different wave conditions, and its performance improves as the wave size increases. Throughout his...

Lightweight and More Flex  Balanced Performance The Thunderbolt Red offers the ideal balance between traditional build and advanced performance.  Specifically, the Thunderbolt Red features a 6 ounce fiberglass cloth combined with a 4 ounce fiberglass layer on the deck. The double-layer lamination provides the optimal flex pattern and responsiveness. On the bottom of the board, the Red uses a 6 ounce cloth paired with 2 ounces of fiberglass for impact resistance and liveliness.The fiberglass build adds crucial strength and rigidity while maintaining an extremely lively, dynamic feel. The Thunderbolt Red feels very lively under the feet, flexing and projecting you...

Byron Bay Longboarders Clash Over Leash Use at The Pass In his thought-provoking article, "The Leash Debate: Freedom vs. Responsibility in Surfing," renowned surfer and lifeguard Mike Lay delves into the age-old controversy surrounding the use of leashes in surfing. He takes us on a journey through the history of leashes, from their inception to their widespread adoption, and how they became a source of division within the surfing community. Lay explains that leashes were not always a part of surfing equipment, and their introduction faced resistance from traditionalists who believed they compromised the essence of the sport. Nonetheless, leashes...

 EVO Surfboard Review  We're joined by a passionate surfer who shares his experience and thoughts on this board. He absolutely loves the Firewire Evo Helium 2, describing it as the boss of all boards. He highlight its lightness, speed, and maneuverability, making it an excellent choice for riders. Not only does it perform exceptionally well, but it also boasts an attractive design. According to the him, taking off on the board is a breeze, and riding it feels effortless. He also praises the board's design, particularly the back, which enhances its floating sensation. He highly commends Tomah for his excellent work in designing this...

No WSL CEO Position for Kelly Slater, He Confirms   A summary from the recent article by Joe   Carberry about the open CEO position at the     World Surf League. Carberry reported that after Erik Logan's   sudden departure, speculation   swirled about   his potential replacement.   Veterans like Bob   Hurley and Pat O'Connell   were suggested, but   one very popular idea   was that Kelly Slater   could take the CEO job. However, in a new ZIGZAG magazine video interview, Slater definitively rejected this notion. He directly stated: "I have no interest in [the CEO position]." Slater added he will provide recommendations to the WSL but...

Outlier Surfboard Review   We have an exciting review of the CJ Nelson Outlier surfboard. Our surfer recently acquired this board, and after a week of testing, they are ready to share their thoughts. When asked about the board's size, our surfer reveals they chose the 7'6" version. Providing some context, they share their height and weight, standing at around 5'5" and weighing 129 pounds. Now, let's get to the heart of the review. Our surfer's face lights up as they describe the experience of riding the CJ Nelson Outlier. They can't help but express their sheer joy and excitement,...

'Iolani Surf Team will be competing at the National Scholastic Surfing Association (NSSA) Interscholastic High School Surfing Championship It is with great pride to announce that the 'Iolani Surf Team will be competing at the National Scholastic Surfing Association (NSSA) Interscholastic High School Surfing Championship at Salt Creek, Dana Point (CA) on June 17th & 18th. This marks the first time in school history that the 'Iolani surfers will compete in this prestigious event. The NSSA Interscholastic High School Surfing Championship is one of the most highly anticipated events in the high school surfing world, featuring the nation’s top surf...

The Legendary Surfing Journey of Joel Tudor In the world of surfing, few names command as much respect as Joel Tudor. Considered a legend of the longboard scene, Joel Tudor has dedicated his life to mastering the smooth, soulful style of vintage surfing. Screen grab: https://joeltudor.com/ Born in 1978 in San Diego, Joel Tudor started surfing at just 10 years old. He quickly became enamored with the grace and fluidity of longboarding after seeing old videos of 60s surfers deftly navigating the waves. While shortboarding was in vogue at the time, Tudor pursued his passion for timeless surfing on lengthy boards that...

Halo Fin Review Just got her hands on the Takayama Halo Fin, and let me tell you, this surfer is absolutely loving it! She's been using it on an 7'5 board with side bites, and it's been a game-changer. The performance in the water is top-notch! Turning is a breeze, and the responsiveness is on point. She's taken it out to Rock Piles and Waikiki, and it held up flawlessly in both spots. Wave size? Caught some three-footers, and the Halo Fin handled them like a champ! It really shines in bigger surf too. Overall, She highly recommend the Takayama...

NoseRiding with the Taylor Jensen Special T   Designed for intermediate surfers and for smaller surf in the 2-3 foot range, the Special T generates speed and turns on a dime - hiding high performance in a traditional longboard outline. The Taylor Jensen Special T brings a retro longboarding feel to modern waves. This board is for walking up to the nose and tipping the tail with ease. Carefully shaped by legendary board builder Dan Mann, the Special T features an exaggerated flipped-up tail rocker that allows you to lock in and pivot off the tail. The rails are pushed back 50/50...

Special T Surfboard Review  We caught up with experienced surfer Jonson after he took his brand new Thunderbolt Specialty model out for its first session. Jonson has been surfing for over 10 years and decided to try out the Thunderbolt based on a glowing recommendation from his local surf shop. The specialty construction and new technology used by Thunderbolt immediately appealed to Jonson, who was looking to achieve faster glide speed and improved performance. As soon as Jonson paddled out on the Thunderbolt, he could feel how fast and easily it glided through the water. He shared that the board...