Hawaiian South Shore — August 2026 Newsletter
David's Diego Garcia Navy story, Member Spotlight Will Pigott, the CJ Nelson Outlier X, HSS Real Sun Cover, your Pops surf guide, and more.
In this issue
A jet from our own carrier dropped a bomb on us — and we ended up stuck on a tiny island while everyone else was in Australia
Last month I told you about life on the USS Reeves in the Strait of Hormuz. I said I'd tell you about the time a fighter jet from our own carrier dropped a bomb on us. So here's that story.
USS Reeves (CG-24) in the Persian Gulf, 1987. U.S. Navy photo.
October 30, 1989. Clear night, Indian Ocean, about thirty miles south of a tiny island called Diego Garcia. We were doing a live weapons exercise with the battle group. An F/A-18 from the USS Midway — our own carrier — was supposed to drop a 500-pound bomb on a floating target about five miles from us. The pilot missed the target by five miles. That's nothing when you're up in the air. Down on the water, that puts a bomb right on your deck.
The bow opened up like a beer can
The bow of USS Reeves after the Mark 82 bomb hit, October 30, 1989. U.S. Navy photo.
Another angle of the damage — the bow torn open like a beer can. U.S. Navy photo.
It punched a five-foot hole through the bow, ripped through the line locker forward of the missile house, and blew shrapnel back toward the pilothouse where guys were steering the ship. Five sailors got hit with flying glass and blast. Nobody died. The bow was torn open like a beer can, but the bomb exploded on the outside of the deck instead of going through it. If it had gone inside, different story. We got lucky.
The battle group sailed to Australia and we got stuck on a rock in the Indian Ocean
The Reeves had to pull into Diego Garcia for repairs. Diego Garcia is a flat coral island in the middle of the Indian Ocean — nice beaches, a military base, and not much else. And just to add to it, when we were coming in we hit ground. The ship ran into a sandbar or something and the whole thing shook. About 400 of us on a ship that just got bombed, now thinking we're going to be stuck here even longer.
Meanwhile, the rest of the battle group? Gone. Already in Australia. We'd been looking forward to that port call for months. Instead, we played volleyball on the beach and drank all day while the ship got patched up. Which sounds great for about three days. After that, you're staring at the same sand wondering — are we ever getting off this island? Are we going to make it to Australia? Can we at least cross the equator?
We crossed the equator — and became Shellbacks
We didn't think it was going to happen. But once the repairs were done, we got the green light to cross the equator. If you've never heard of this — in the Navy, the first time you cross the equator on a ship, you go through what's called the Shellback ceremony. It's a tradition that goes back hundreds of years. Before you cross, you're a Pollywog. After you cross, you're a Shellback. What happens in between is a day you never forget.
From what I hear, the Navy has toned it way down since then. More of a fun day now, less of a beating. But the meaning hasn't changed. You crossed the equator on a warship with your crew. You earned the title. Shellback. That used to be a serious thing in the Navy. I still have my card.
We got bombed by our own guys, ran aground pulling into port, and watched the battle group leave for Australia without us. But we got the ship fixed, got permission to cross the equator, and eventually made it to Australia too. It all worked out. Just not in the order we planned.
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Will Pigott
How'd you get into surfing? What keeps you motivated to keep surfing? Ever take time off from it?
I got into surfing by attending a summer Surf Camp USA at Oceanside Beach when I was 10. New surfboard design/concepts, learning new movement patterns/tricks on the wave and the cultivation of energy from being in the ocean are the main things that keep me motivated to surf! I will usually take two weeks of leave from work to go on vacation and try something new such as snowboarding or training.
Do you do anything to stay in shape for surfing — workouts, stretching, eating a certain way? How do you take care of yourself?
I have been practicing knees over toes plyometrics training to keep the body fit to surf. I also believe that bodyboarding is very good for the circulatory system as well as building tensegrity, which is the ability to collapse and expand. I have been doing movement training based on the Ido Portal method, which involves practicing different movement containers — 15 minutes of moving closely to the ground per day, juggling a soccer ball, spinal waves, MMA, handstands, gymnastics — it's basically a way of becoming a practitioner of movement without specializing in one thing, to practice what one is not good at. So I will practice these things and then run it through surfing, to see how it changes my approach. For example, jiu jitsu makes it easier to hang on to the board because you're more aware of your feet and positioning in space.
What do you love most about surfing here? Any favorite memories or people you want to shout out?
I love how there are waves year-round, so many different peaks/waves to choose from, and that you can surf down wind and experience all kinds of different surf spots along the way. Everyone is really chill and I feel like everybody can get a wave if they want to, and people respect one another here.
What's the latest board you grabbed from us? What made you decide on that one?
I recently grabbed the Mayhem RNF 96 Twinzer in Black Sheep construction. I grabbed this one because the design is unlike anything I have ever seen — I feel like it is a breakthrough in creativity plus a radical new fin placement design.
How's it been surfing? What kind of waves have you been taking it out in?
The RNF Twinzer is so interesting because there is an extra layer of sensitivity and control from the canards. So far, I've been taking it out at beach breaks and point breaks — it works in everything.
What fins are you running on it? How's that setup treating you?
I am running the medium Mayhem Twinzer Plus trailer fins. I have yet to try it without the trailer. The setup is great and it allowed me to land my first frontside 360 carve — like a 360 powerslide on the wave going frontside. I've never been able to do that before, but this board has a secret layer of sensitivity. No wonder Alex Knost is always riding twinzers!
When you're not surfing, what are you up to? Got a business or anything you want to tell people about?
I work as a lifeguard on the east side. I've been trying to skateboard and do jiu jitsu as much as I can when I have time! I'm working on an apparel business at the moment for rock reflexology slides, called Foot Forge.
Do you have a business you would like us to promote?
I use my YouTube channel to create test-drive short videos of different surfboards.
CJ Nelson Outlier X
CJ Nelson Explains the Outlier X: Fin Setup, Sizing & Design Talk
The CJ Nelson Outlier X is a performance egg designed by CJ Nelson and Ryan Engle — a board that paddles and catches waves like a much bigger board but surfs like a modern shortboard. Built to handle everything from knee-high junk to double-overhead conditions on a single outline, it's the performance egg for surfers who want one board that actually does it all.
In stock: 6'3" – 39.02L (Army) · 6'6" – 42.82L (Volan)
Also in the lineup
Real Riders, Real Reviews
HSS Real Sun Cover
We can't keep this one on the shelf — even the kids ask for it, for the smell and because it doesn't smear on your gear. Built by a sunscreen chemist who uses only zinc oxide:
✅ Only zinc oxide — 25% non-nano zinc oxide, the broadest UV protection of any FDA-approved active, and genuinely reef-safe (no petrochemicals).
✅ Works all day — zinc oxide doesn't break down in the sun, so as long as you can see it, it's still protecting you.
✅ Smells like chocolate — tinted with organic cocoa powder for a light scent and antioxidants, and it stays put instead of running into your eyes or gear.
Check out the awesome reviews we've had from our customers on the Real Sun Cover:
Populars (Pops)
Quick Answer: Pops (Populars) is a mellow, consistent right-hander located far offshore between Canoes and Queens on Waikiki's South Shore. Pops is less crowded than either neighbor because of the long paddle, virtually always clean in trade winds, and best on a longboard or mid-length. It's the spot you go when Queens is a zoo.
Hawaiian South Shore Surf Hat
The surf hat that stays on through duck dives — and everywhere else life takes you.
Most surf hats have a hard bill that catches water on a duck dive and rips right off. This one's bill is soft — it folds flat underwater and won't tear away. Built for Honolulu surfers, loved by hikers and fishers too.
🌊 Soft, flexible bill — Folds on duck dives instead of ripping off; holds shape when wet
🤙 Removable neck protector — Elastic flap unclips in seconds when you don't need it
🌞 Quick-dry design — Internal hook lets you hang it upside-down to dry faster after a rinse
💧 Wind-secure fit — Stays put whether you're in the lineup, on the trail, or on the water
Thank you for choosing Hawaiian South Shore! 🏄 We truly appreciate your support and trust in us for all your surfing needs. Whether it's finding the perfect board, upgrading your gear, or simply being part of our ohana — your loyalty means the world to us. Mahalo for riding this journey with us. We couldn't do it without you! 🤙
Tag @hwnsouthshore to be featured next month.