Happy New Year Surfers!
Hauoli Makahiki Hou! That's Happy New Year for those who don't speak the very easy, phonetic, and beautiful Hawaiian language. New Year's in Hawaii is one of those nerve-wracking holidays... for drivers. Most people won't even venture out into the streets in a Hummer after 9pm for fear of those drunken drivers and firecracker throwing youths. Oh yes, more dangerous than any drunk driver is a lit firecracker thrown directly at your (sometimes open) window by some crazy local kids who think it is fun which have on past New Year's Eve resulted in numerous car accidents on the Pali and Likilike as you drive through Kalihi. This year, apparently, the kids behaved as I have not heard yet of any major accidents of New Year's. As a matter of fact, it was probably one of the safer ones with police officers and military patrolling every area on the island.
Dressed in black, I headed over to the W Hotel's Black Ball. Now, let me first point out that I won't wait in a line in New York City to get into any club or bar for more than about 5 minutes. So when we arrived at the W and saw a line about half a football field long with less than helpful bouncers at the door ("Say how long is the wait would you guesstimate?"--"Oh, I dunno."--"An hour?"--"Yeah, sure.") and many women dressed like, well, not like in New York City to get into a club unless it is an S&M club or they plan on working a corner, we decided to forgo waiting in a ridiculous line for a party that probably wasn't more than people trying to see who was dressed better and not having much fun. So we took our decked out selves to Tiki's Grill and Bar at the Aston Hotel on Kalakaua Avenue. We were most definitely overdressed, but who cares we were there to have a great time and watch the fireworks.
I have never bumped into a single alum from my high school on any random given night I have been out in Honolulu in over 4 years, but on New Year's Eve, I bumped into two. Neil and Jen, both a year my senior, were there partying it up with a prime spot on the lanai (balcony) to see the fireworks. I've always complained I didn't like meeting up with alums by accident because they often think you are the same person you were in high school and it is always an awkward situation where you tried to move on from said high school years and continue to grow as a person. Some people, never leave that high school mentality and I often wonder, is there a plus to living in the years that you peaked? I mean, truly, where do you go from there? I went to New York. I have to say, however, that when you do bump into people who have changed since those agonizing years of acne and cliques, it is usually a pleasure to see where they went, what they are doing--Neil teaches Special Education at Waipahu--and dare I say, I never thought he'd go that route--then again, I never thought I'd be a programmer.
As midnight approaches, people are in anticipation of the fireworks display. I have to be brutally honest and say that having one of the largest Chinese populations in the United States (the people who invented fireworks), our displays leave much to be desired. Last year's display was a full 15 minutes of pyrotechnic eye candy. This year was about 5 minutes of sparklers. I kept waiting for the grand finale... and I still am waiting.
We ventured onto Waikiki Beach to see if they would give us something more to look at, but were only given a couple more toots and smoke. People like to celebrate in their own unique ways and on Waikiki Beach, we had a slew of night swimmers. It is actually one of the most fun and exhiliarating activities--cleansing the spirit for the New Year, or whatever they want to say it is for. Some go in their swimsuits, some fully dressed. All splishing and splashing like 6 year old children.
On New Year's Day, I rang in the New Year as promised rain or shine, with surfing. The weather was rainy (thanks) and cloudy (perfect shark weather!) , but I went out to Waikiki Beach at an area known as Canoes by the Duke Kahanamoku statue--the first man of surfing who won a silver medal at the Olympics for swimming. The C&K Beachboy Service ran surf lessons for $35. You always start on a longboard as a newbie as they are easier to maneuver and you won't fall off trying to distribute your weight properly. Corbin gave us our land lesson--how to paddles out, lie on your board, turn, pop up, yadda, yadda. That's just logistics. We were then given out longboards and paddled out to our instructor, Shane (a real surfer transplanted from SoCal who was funny and kind enough to really help us catch a wave), for our water lesson. No matter what anyone tells you about surfing, you don't get a full body workout in your legs or abs or thighs. Why? Well, mostly because you don't do much standing that requires the use of those muscles. What you do get is a total upper arm workout from paddling--what you do about 90% of the time. When not actually riding a wave, you have to paddle out to where the waves start rolling in so you can paddle towards shore and then hopefully, get onto the wave as it starts to break under you. At this point, you get to your knees, bring your left leg forward so you are kneeling on the back leg (or right forward if you are left-handed), and then pivot the front foot as you bring your back leg up for an almost perpendicular foot to the board, knees bent, and ride that wave in until it dissipates or you fall off. Then, you turn your board around and paddle back out. Lacey and I had a great time with the rain letting up enough for us to paddle out several times. I was very fortunate to get up on the very first wave I was given and I can't tell you how much of a rush it is to be standing there, on a piece of foam, with the speed of water pushing you forward and the foamy water washing over your feet. All I can say is WOW. Why in chocolate's name did I not try this sooner? Probably my fear of drowning. I can't quite compare it to anything--you just have to try it. Surfing is one of those things that, like skiing, you have to at least try once until you catch a wave. Of course, you use less equipment and get a tan while doing it.
Let me make one more note about surfing: sharks. Now everyone, for one reason or another is afraid of sharks--thanks to Jaws. I probably went on a day that was perfect for sharks to come out and grab a bite out of someone. Why? Cloudy weather. When it is cloudy, the water looks rather murky which is what the sharks like because they don't like to be seen--contrary to what you get in the movies. They eat sea turtles and seals and fish. The ones people worry about (Tiger Sharks) barely make it in to chomp on anyone because, in Waikiki, the sharks don't want to get caught between the shore and the reef--no food. And shark attacks are so rare--you are more likely to be bashed in the head by your surfboard than even glimpse a nurse shark--worry about jellyfish instead.. those you can see and avoid and they don't chase you. For those who still worry about razormouths, good note: if there are people further out than you on their boards, they are more likely to be attacked than you.
Dressed in black, I headed over to the W Hotel's Black Ball. Now, let me first point out that I won't wait in a line in New York City to get into any club or bar for more than about 5 minutes. So when we arrived at the W and saw a line about half a football field long with less than helpful bouncers at the door ("Say how long is the wait would you guesstimate?"--"Oh, I dunno."--"An hour?"--"Yeah, sure.") and many women dressed like, well, not like in New York City to get into a club unless it is an S&M club or they plan on working a corner, we decided to forgo waiting in a ridiculous line for a party that probably wasn't more than people trying to see who was dressed better and not having much fun. So we took our decked out selves to Tiki's Grill and Bar at the Aston Hotel on Kalakaua Avenue. We were most definitely overdressed, but who cares we were there to have a great time and watch the fireworks.
I have never bumped into a single alum from my high school on any random given night I have been out in Honolulu in over 4 years, but on New Year's Eve, I bumped into two. Neil and Jen, both a year my senior, were there partying it up with a prime spot on the lanai (balcony) to see the fireworks. I've always complained I didn't like meeting up with alums by accident because they often think you are the same person you were in high school and it is always an awkward situation where you tried to move on from said high school years and continue to grow as a person. Some people, never leave that high school mentality and I often wonder, is there a plus to living in the years that you peaked? I mean, truly, where do you go from there? I went to New York. I have to say, however, that when you do bump into people who have changed since those agonizing years of acne and cliques, it is usually a pleasure to see where they went, what they are doing--Neil teaches Special Education at Waipahu--and dare I say, I never thought he'd go that route--then again, I never thought I'd be a programmer.
As midnight approaches, people are in anticipation of the fireworks display. I have to be brutally honest and say that having one of the largest Chinese populations in the United States (the people who invented fireworks), our displays leave much to be desired. Last year's display was a full 15 minutes of pyrotechnic eye candy. This year was about 5 minutes of sparklers. I kept waiting for the grand finale... and I still am waiting.
We ventured onto Waikiki Beach to see if they would give us something more to look at, but were only given a couple more toots and smoke. People like to celebrate in their own unique ways and on Waikiki Beach, we had a slew of night swimmers. It is actually one of the most fun and exhiliarating activities--cleansing the spirit for the New Year, or whatever they want to say it is for. Some go in their swimsuits, some fully dressed. All splishing and splashing like 6 year old children.
On New Year's Day, I rang in the New Year as promised rain or shine, with surfing. The weather was rainy (thanks) and cloudy (perfect shark weather!) , but I went out to Waikiki Beach at an area known as Canoes by the Duke Kahanamoku statue--the first man of surfing who won a silver medal at the Olympics for swimming. The C&K Beachboy Service ran surf lessons for $35. You always start on a longboard as a newbie as they are easier to maneuver and you won't fall off trying to distribute your weight properly. Corbin gave us our land lesson--how to paddles out, lie on your board, turn, pop up, yadda, yadda. That's just logistics. We were then given out longboards and paddled out to our instructor, Shane (a real surfer transplanted from SoCal who was funny and kind enough to really help us catch a wave), for our water lesson. No matter what anyone tells you about surfing, you don't get a full body workout in your legs or abs or thighs. Why? Well, mostly because you don't do much standing that requires the use of those muscles. What you do get is a total upper arm workout from paddling--what you do about 90% of the time. When not actually riding a wave, you have to paddle out to where the waves start rolling in so you can paddle towards shore and then hopefully, get onto the wave as it starts to break under you. At this point, you get to your knees, bring your left leg forward so you are kneeling on the back leg (or right forward if you are left-handed), and then pivot the front foot as you bring your back leg up for an almost perpendicular foot to the board, knees bent, and ride that wave in until it dissipates or you fall off. Then, you turn your board around and paddle back out. Lacey and I had a great time with the rain letting up enough for us to paddle out several times. I was very fortunate to get up on the very first wave I was given and I can't tell you how much of a rush it is to be standing there, on a piece of foam, with the speed of water pushing you forward and the foamy water washing over your feet. All I can say is WOW. Why in chocolate's name did I not try this sooner? Probably my fear of drowning. I can't quite compare it to anything--you just have to try it. Surfing is one of those things that, like skiing, you have to at least try once until you catch a wave. Of course, you use less equipment and get a tan while doing it.
Let me make one more note about surfing: sharks. Now everyone, for one reason or another is afraid of sharks--thanks to Jaws. I probably went on a day that was perfect for sharks to come out and grab a bite out of someone. Why? Cloudy weather. When it is cloudy, the water looks rather murky which is what the sharks like because they don't like to be seen--contrary to what you get in the movies. They eat sea turtles and seals and fish. The ones people worry about (Tiger Sharks) barely make it in to chomp on anyone because, in Waikiki, the sharks don't want to get caught between the shore and the reef--no food. And shark attacks are so rare--you are more likely to be bashed in the head by your surfboard than even glimpse a nurse shark--worry about jellyfish instead.. those you can see and avoid and they don't chase you. For those who still worry about razormouths, good note: if there are people further out than you on their boards, they are more likely to be attacked than you.
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