Seafood Shopping!

Good Morning Everyone! Been busy working on my boat this week doing some repairs, painting, cleaning...never ending maintenance when you have a boat. Lighter trades started this work week so we boarded the Go-Naminori boat to go seafood shopping at our favorite local market, the Pacific Ocean. After a few hours, Kirby and I got enough food for 2 days, then after 4 hours we got enough 4 days and a weekend BBQ set for this weekend! We got to see a few hungary sharks, Kirby got a handful of "vana" sea urchin in his hand (itai), and all in a days work. Rest of the week, we will see windier conditions and the high pressure system moves in with more scattered showers. Surf is small but the contest must go on as they run out of competition days. Good time to edit, christmas shop, and get ready for the next Red Sea Ocean Adventure!

Thankful Heart

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! I was thinking what was the top 3 things I was most thankful for this holiday season. Was it the epic waves? Or the big fish we caught? Various exotic places we traveled? What ended rising to the top was having my family, friends, and health. The guy who best exemplifies this is my dad, the artist, worker, & entertainer who is the jack of all trades, master of all....Crow!

He can fix anything, make anything, sell anything, and do anything you want. You may have seen his popular Gyotaku art work in galleries around town like Pictures Plus but he continues to provide our divers and fisherman the awesome memories of their catch as he brings their fish back to life through his art. We are thankful for God's hand in his life and excited to see what He has in store next year! I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving Holiday and remember to have a "Thankful Heart" as you face the holiday madness in the malls, on the streets, and in the water as you try a catch that perfect wave.

Red Sea Surf Report

Northshore Surf Report: Pipeline looks like the spot! 8 ft solid with bigger bombs! It's a big west swell so there may be some other spots you check as well. Hope everyone has got their winter quiver ready as the Northshore season has begun. Expect light winds for the second half of the week with excellent surfing conditions. Surf safe!

Kai "Ocean" Boys

How do kids get to love the Ocean? First by taking them to the beach to enjoy the ocean. On our last dive, my nephews Maika (left) and Kai (middle) got to get their hands slimy holding onto some of the fish caught. I think one day these two guys will be striking the pose for some cover shot in Hawaii Skin Diver Magazine.

And meet Kai Itoman! Born Nov. 6, 2010 to the proud parents of Erick and Laurene. This little guy is a dream come true and destined to also become a diver, surfer, and ocean lover! I'm sure he will be growing up real fast and next thing you know it he will be tagging along Ericks float. Congratulations to you both!

Father Damon

He is a surfer, lawyer, and knows how to have a good time! Meet Damon Schmidt...If there was one person who put in his time in the water on our last trip to Indo was this guy! I think he surfed 8 hours a day and drank beer for 8 hours at night. I don't how did it but you can see by this photo how much sunscreen was left on his face and the big smile after a good session.

Damon caught so many good waves his arms were like spagetti by the end of each day. Here is was in the right place at the right time at a secret spot all by himself. We had a great time traveling with him and look forward to many more Red Sea Ocean Adventures with him in the future!

Tragedy Hits Home!

The surfing world has had heavy hearts this week with yesterday's loss of Hawaii's Andy Irons who passed away from Dengue fever enroute home from Puerto Rico. Our prayers go out to his family and friends...Also the recent tsunami and earthquake in Indonesia has devastated many lives and villages in the Mentawai region. 5 years ago I was at the Macaronies surfing as they were building the resort.

The people were so funny and happy. These two villages were on our TV show, Hawaii Skin Diver and were practicing their english saying, "Stay tuned for more Hawaii Skin Diver"...They would be on the side sitting under a tree weaving straw hats for the construction workers. This was their home.

They built these beautiful bungalows overlooking the mangroves and all of them were washed away from the tsunami. The boats Midas and Freedom 3 were impacted and one caught on fire but luckily their guests made it out as they struggled for safety.

One of our guests, Robin Bond, Jr. was having so much fun talking with them and now we don't know even if they are there safe. Hundreds of people have died and bodies are still not yet found. Sikakap village was also hit hard and with lack of communication it's hard to send help. Surfaid International and many boat charters are gearing up to help in the recovery efforts. Would I travel to the Mentawais again? In a heartbeat! This is a special place, with happy people who now need help. Our next surf trip out there will be a mission of Aloha.

Dressed to Kill

Hope everyone had a Happy and safe Halloween! For me I dressed up in my wetsuit pretending to be a diver and headed out to the westside. Did a few drifts with Keith Yamane and we got a few fish for the celebration. The two fish on the right is called Yellow spot papio and it's probably the best jack to sashimi.

This "Hawaiian" Yellowtail came up to eat our chum and got a shaft instead. I dangled it in the water for a while then a Ono came in to investigate. It came in near Keith but kept it's distance so no photo opts with him. Anyways gotta go clean fish now...and prepare for dinner! Have a good week and be safe in the surf coming tomorrow!