I wholeheartedly believe that life is best lived with a healthy dose of curiosity and diligent pursuit of knowledge and new experiences. With these elements, it can be full of wonderful and unexpected adventures. Our world provides endless opportunities to experience different people, cultures, languages, cuisine, and history. There is always more to learn, more to explore, more to share. Life never needs to be boring; it is ordinary only when we allow it to be.
The ocean fascinates me more than any other natural element of this incredible world. In Hawaii I am blessed to have it be a part of my day in a real and tangible way. Wherever I am, the ocean is not far from reach. And if I make effort to spend time near or in the ocean, I cannot help but be changed by it.
I’d consider myself a morning person. But there is morning (with sunlight, hot coffee and the latest Economist), and then there is 4:45am, the unconscionable time my alarm is buzzing to wrestle me away from blissful sleep. I am not a huge fan of that morning. But today I on a mission: I am chasing the sun.
Hurricane Lane could only postpone the inevitable. The Kailua Shorebreak Classic was back in full throttle on October 20th at Kalama Beach Park. Celebrating the lives of four legendary Kailua surfers and watermen, the free amateur surf competition represents much more than showcasing some crazy talented keiki. It is a day committed to community building, environmental stewardship, and (of course) friendly competition. My previous post provides a summary of the Shorebreak Classic and its core tenets.
A brown water advisory for the day meant that … well … the keiki were not dropping in on picturesque azure blue waves. A little Dirty Water, however, would not discourage these grommets from a day of sun and surf. Brown or blue, there were waves to conquer.
To photogenically avoid the Yoo-Hoo dilemma, I dusted off my black-and-white photography toolkit. While this is a seldom-used style for me, I hope that the images can uniquely capture the faces, emotions, and relationships of this vibrant surf culture.
Exuding a retro surf vibe, this photo essay is best paired with a few Dick Dale classics. So crank up the tunes and enjoy some Musings by the Surf at the 14th Annual Kailua Shorebreak Classic.
In Hawaii, surfing is huge. I mean, really huge. It is a vibrant community and fascinating culture. There is no better manifestation of this culture than the annual Kailua Shorebreak Classic, a free keiki (kids) surf competition held in memorial of four beloved surfers and watermen. The event is always awash with camaraderie, adventure, and spirit.
On Saturday, October 20, 2018, the Shorebreak Classic is back. Grommets of all sizes will descend upon Kalama Beach Park in Kailua for the competition's fourteenth year. Time to get your surf on.
In anticipation of the event, I explore the Shorebreak Classic, it’s wonderful community, and the ocean that brings it together. Get caught up in this amazing story, and then experience it for yourself next Saturday!
In my inaugural Visual Musings, A Cambodian Retrospective, I explained how images can often convey emotion and invite reflection in ways that words cannot. Looking through the lens should always result in seeing life with greater clarity, and helping others to do the same. With that motive, Visual Musings was devised to offer themed photo essays of place, purpose or narrative.
