Hawaiian South Shore — September 2026 Newsletter: CJ Nelson Chameleon, Miguel's Story & Bowls Surf Guide
In This Issue
Then the Wind Stopped, and Not a Bird Was Singing
A note from David
I grew up in Okinawa, and we used to get hit by typhoons all the time. I don't know, four or five a year, maybe more. You got pretty used to it. You closed the wooden shutters, you sat it out, and then life went back to normal. These days the homes over there have the metal ones you pull down. Aluminum, I think.
The Most Beautiful Day of the Storm
When we actually got hit, we'd end up in the eye. And that's the part I still remember. All of a sudden it was the most beautiful day. Blue sky. No rain. Almost no wind. But you didn't hear any birds singing. Nothing. Just this empty quiet.
I still think about that. The sun is out. It looks like you could walk outside and have a picnic. And you didn't hear any birds singing.
The most beautiful day you'll ever see in a storm. And not a bird singing.
Then It Comes Back
Then, depending on how fast the typhoon was moving, you had a stretch of that. Sometimes not long. Sometimes a couple of hours. And the storm came back. Same storm. You just went through the middle of it. The wind comes from the other side now.
That's why you don't go wandering around just because it got pretty out. The quiet is not the all-clear. It's the middle.
I was a kid. I didn't really understand what I was sitting in. I just knew it got beautiful and strange, and then it got loud again. Looking back, that silence is the part that stayed with me. The most beautiful day you'll ever see in a storm. And not a bird singing.
David
Hawaiian South Shore
Member Spotlight: Meet Miguel
How'd you get into surfing? What keeps you motivated? Ever take time off?
Got into it young — my dad grew up surfing California, and even though I was born and raised in Colorado, he'd always rent boards and teach us how to surf on beach vacations. I moved to Hawaii for college and fell in love with surfing — I even ditched class for a 40 day surf bender. What keeps me motivated is the locals at my break — they got so much style and surf so well, I always want to see if I can surf like them or even one up 'em. I don't actively take time off, but sometimes life just gets in the way — work, overtime, and just being tired.
Do you do anything to stay in shape for surfing?
I go to a gym called MOFIT — they focus on fitness, strength training, and cardio, and I've found those three things help the most. For the most part I try to eat healthy, but I am only human and love fried foods — everything in moderation. I definitely gotta work on taking better care of myself and stretching more. I'm not gonna be 23 forever.
What do you love most about surfing here? Any shoutouts?
The thing I love most is the friends you make in the lineup — they always make me want to become a better surfer. One of my favorite memories: my buddy Riley had already paddled in and was washing his board off at the showers. I took this sketchy drop and screamed so loud that everyone on the shore heard me. Riley started laughing uncontrollably, and when I rode the wave in he was waiting on the beach and said, "everyone turned and looked at the water when you screamed brah, you crack me up." Shoutout to Riley, Robby, Elliot, Ken, and Tommy — you guys always make me want to become a better surfer.
What's the latest board you grabbed from us?
Truthfully, I've never purchased a board from you guys. I've come really close though — I'm very picky about what boards I buy, but I always know I can come to Hawaiian South Shore to find a board that fits my style.
How's it been surfing? What conditions?
The board I've been riding lately is my T&C Nomad twin fin. It's been riding fun in all sorts of waves — I'll take it out waist high to double overhead. Despite being a twin fin, it holds lines really well and makes it easy to make big turns.
Fin setup?
I've been running the Britt Merrick Twin and I love the setup — holds when you need it, nimble when you want it.
Outside of surfing?
Fishing, pool, and darts.
Miguel's Shoutout
Check out Perry's Painting:
Featured Board: CJ Nelson Chameleon
The CJ Nelson Chameleon is a hybrid longboard designed by CJ Nelson and Ryan Engle to bridge classic logging and high-performance longboarding in one shape. It noserides like a traditional log and turns off the tail like an HP — built for the surfer who refuses to choose between the two.
9'1" to 10'0" — Thunderbolt Black & Red
Demo in-store: 9'1" & 9'5" available to test first
Also This Month
CJ Nelson Parallax Plus
Demo: 8'3, 9'1, 9'6 & 9'9
CJ Nelson Outlier X
Demo: 6'3 & 6'6 (Volan)
What Riders Are Saying
Parallax Plus Review — Christian
Parallax Plus Review — Tom
Outlier Surfboard Review
Parallax Plus Review — Kevin
HSS Small Box Thruster Center Fin 3.5" Black
Best-selling center fin. Side fins not included. Part of the "Power Twins" 3.5" fin configuration — two larger side fins plus this smaller trailer fin, built to excel in small-to-medium waves.
The increased side-fin surface area provides grip and speed generation when wave power is lacking; the smaller trailer fin adds maneuverability without giving up drive. Fin positioning matters: beginners should start toward the back of the box for stability, then move forward to loosen up turning as they get comfortable.
Customer Reviews
Small Box Fin Review — Jacob
Small Box Fin Review — Gabriel
South Shore Surf Guide Series: Bowls
Ala Moana Bowls is the crown jewel of Town surfing — a bowly left that's a noserider's dream at waist-high, and one of the best manmade waves in the world once Big Bowl starts firing at double-overhead. It's also one of the most crowded lineups on the South Shore, so know your etiquette before you paddle out.
HSS Exclusive: Hybrid Wet/Rashguard
Built here for real surf conditions. Three things set our Wet/Rashguards apart:
- Comfort Fit — seams at the front and back near the armpits sit higher to stop pinching.
- Anti-Chafe Stitching — pantyhose-grade stitching for maximum stretch and rash-free paddling.
- Key Pocket — a back pocket with an internal lanyard keeps your key secure.
What Customers Are Saying
Customer Gallery: Aloha From Our Ohana
Tag us @hwnsouthshore to be featured next month!