had my last session with Leo this morning.  just in the past few days, this kid got super good!  he’s a very good listener and everything i said, he did it as perfectly as possible.  the waves were kind of big for him so i taught him how to throw the board on the side and dive under waves.  he came up smiling every single time.  and when it was time to ride a set, no problem at all.  and even when it was time to fall, he fell to the side.  perfect!  and Leo even knew how to operate my camera too.  brilliant.   by the end of our session, i felt like i was surfing with a buddy… good job Leo!  i’m super proud of you!  forget the rice balls today, we went for Teddy’s Bigger Burger!   then as we were waiting for dessert, i was telling Leo how i use to eat packets of sugar and cream when i was a kid.  omg, i hope he doesn’t do that!   haha… Leonard’s Malasadas!  I’m glad you liked it!  i’m going to miss Leo.  i’m going to miss his smile, his laugh, his energy, his intelligence, and everything else.  keep calm buddy and see you next year!

 i’ve been taking a lot of kids surfing recently and i love it!  check out 7 year old Ryota-kun go!  it was his very first surf and very first wave! good ride and high five!   Papa Kobayashi-san is a good surfer.  a really fit and very strong man!   yeah, this is my dream as a photographer and surf instructor.  get the kid up for the ride of his life, and make sure Papa is riding along enjoying the precious moment.  this is what surfing is all about… then 10 year old Daigo-kun rode his first wave of his life too!  and rode it absolutely perfect!  very impressive… Mama Mayuka-san has surfed before so she knew what to do.  just get up and enjoy the long Hawaiian ride.  totally perfect!   Kobayashi-san rode some nice smooth waves.  the conditions don’t get any better than this… if you haven’t tried Waiola Shave Ice, you don’t know what real shave ice taste like.   this is absolutely the best.  locals decide where the best shop in Hawaii are, not tourists.  every single person i took here told me it’s the best shave ice they ever eaten… andi think the Kobayashi-san family agreed. haha.  such a beautiful family!  thank you guys for the wonderful afternoon…last, this is the exact age and exact way i had my first surfing experience.  and till this day, i never ever forgot about it.  i guess you can say it changed my life and i’m hoping to change every persons life i take surfing.  connect with the ocean and you will connect with happiness…

Daddy, Son, and I.  Three happy surfers…

Good morning 6:20am.

Ala Moana chest high and good.  New swell!

Diamond Head shoulder high and bumpy.

Trade winds at 20mph.

Clouds, sun, showers, and rainbows.

Going surfing and surfing.

Have a wonderful day!