still tripping out on the free diving in mexico. i would love to go back again someday with my good camera. it was one of the most magical things i’ve ever experienced underwater.

and visiting Cuba was also a highlight of my travel life. just going to unknown places with such uncertainty is kind of freaky. but that’s the way i like to travel. freak out and experience the unknown.

now that i’m back in america, i wished i took more photos in Cuba. you won’t see things like this for too much longer.

Watanabe-san and i came back to town yesterday after watching the contest all morning. and after watching all that surfing, we wanted to surf too. we pulled up to ala moana and it was perfect! super glassy conditions and super good waves.

i can tell there is another south swell on the way. how? because when you see two waves with this close intervals, it means something is pushing something. south swell this weekend? i think so.

the waves were so glassy and perfect! i was looking for any opportunity to get barreled. and guess what? i did!

back in Cancun remembering my epic trip! can’t wait to hit the road again.

Heavy Rain! Welcome to Winter in Hawaii!
Good morning 6am.
North shore 2-3′ and clean.
Haleiwa chest high and contest ON!
Ala Moana chest high and bumpy.
Heavy rain today and tomorrow.
Windy East winds at 20mph.
Going wet fishing.
Have a wonderful day!

the golden opportunity! Watanabe-san has never ever seen a professional contest before. luckily he came to hawaii at the perfect time! took him to the Haleiwa Pro this morning so see the best of the worlds surfers all in one arena. a surfing photographers dream!

it’s amazing how surfing has grown. i’ve been watching this contest for the past 30 years and it’s getting bigger and better.

the only difference is most people are watching it online so the beach isn’t packed like it use to be. in fact, it’s pretty empty.

i’m so proud of my nephews surfing in this prestigious event. Go-Josh!

a boring day for some. but exciting for others.

Seth is the youngest of the Moniz kids. i was so stoked to see him go out and surf a great heat.

coming from Hokkaido, this must be a big event for Watanabe-san. this is the mecca of surfing.

waves were small so high performance surfing advanced.

bummer Hiroto Ohara didn’t advance today. but good to see him representing japan in a solid way.

ever since a little baby, Seth Moniz would never back down to his older brothers and sister. so there’s no way he’s backing down to the worlds best. it’s in his blood.

Seth advanced to round 3 which is a huge accomplishment for a young surfer. he surfs tomorrow against 2015 world champion contender Filipe Toledo. i told Seth today, “hey, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. just go out and do your best.” if the waves were 15′ hawaiian scale, i would put all my money on Seth. but because it’s going to be knee high and weak, it’s anyones game. i’ll surely be watching that heat. Go-Seth!