January 1, 2026: Back in my youth, I use to be driving home at about this time in the morning from a club still drunk and delirious. Not remembering a thing that happened during the countdown on New Years Eve, waking up at 5pm in the evening the next day with the biggest hangover you can ever imagine. I literally wasted the first day of a brand new year. About 15 years ago is when I realized that I wanted to be mature, remember everything, and start off the new year with clarity, reality, and healthy. As I was driving the boat to pick up Tokura-san early this morning, I felt so happy and so free. This is the life I want, and this is the life I will live. 
Back in 1994 is when Tokura-san took me on my very first Indonesia boat trip. I got seasick, I got food poisoning, but I got barreled. My life for the ocean changed since that trip and I know for a fact that has brought me to where I am today. I dreamt of it back then, and I’m living in that dream now. Many more boat trips together followed from 1994 and many more will follow in 2026.
Any young surfer should be inspired by this. At age 77, Tokura-san is still charging. I just watch in awe and pray I can surf like that when I’m 77. 
Standing strong, great wave knowledge, and enjoying every ride.
First wave of 2026 and many more to follow. 
We had the whole ocean to ourselves. Check out Tokura-san and Deco-san sharing a wave. 
There are over one million people on the island of Oahu but it was just us out early in the morning enjoying the first sunrise of the year. Definitely a new years day to remember forever. Happy New Year to all my family and friends. Wishing you the best in 2026. Live happy and live healthy!
