OMG!
Good morning 6am.
South shore up!
Shoulder high at Ala Moana and perfect!
Diamond Head overhead and nice.
Trade winds at 15mph.
Super sunny and warm day. Lot’s of rainbows.
Going surfing.
Have a wonderful day!

i was at pipeline the other day and seen this interesting sign right in the front of the walkway heading to the famous pipeline. seems like it’s been there for a while but i haven’t’ gotten a good look at it before.

walked up to take a closer look. it was a sign noting names of famous surfers that have died right there at pipeline, and also names of famous surfers that died on the north shore.

i was looking at the list of famous surfers that passed away. then i took a better look on the top of the list and noticed that someone had written by pen a name in. Jose Angel? who’s Jose Angel?

let me introduce you to Jose Angel. i can write a book about this wonderful surfer, waterman, teacher, diver, and father. a man that went missing after a diving accident back in 1975 and was never to be found. was known as the most fearless surfer and most respected waterman in the world. guys like Greg Noll and Eddie Aikau looked up too and had the upmost respect for Jose. the only surfer to do a backflip off a 40′ wave at waimea bay. the first surfer to get the cover shot on the very first issue of surfer magazine. Jose surfed big waves, wrestled turtles, killed sharks, saved many of lives, and most importantly, taught the next generation his waterman skills. now who is Jose Angel? Jose Angel was my step-father. like i said, i can write a book from my youth spending time on his boat, watching him hand line in fish, spearing ulna’s, watching him bring up 6′ branches of black coral, watching him roast lobsters on a bbq, watch him sitting as a principal of Haleiwa Elementary School, watching him save tourists at 20′ sunset beach, and the most memorable, remembering catching my first wave with him at haleiwa when i was only 7 years old. that was a very long ago but those memories will last forever in my mind. just looking at this photo of Jose pulled me back 40 years and made me feel i was right there again. i guess you can say that could have been a turning point in my life.

ok, we are coming up to the 4th of july weekend. this year, it falls on a saturday so it’s going to be super special. i already know what i’m going to do. going to visit the Flotilla Party on the ocean, surf, pupu’s, fireworks, friends, and family. did this for the past many years and have all the photos to prove it. check out the 2014 Flotilla Hawaii surf party in the ocean off waikiki.

had a few beers in the front with my flotilla partner Bobby. we ended up staying out till 9pm that night.

people from all over the island came out to enjoy this one of a kind event.

this boat is called “fifth wife.” i’m guessing the guy got divorced 4 times and ended up marrying his boat? haha.

little by little, people were coming out of nowhere.

then it started to get crazy! thousands of people partying over 30′ of water. with sharks underneath.

no police or no rules out here. you can just do what ever you please.

SUP girl carrying a bottle of champagne looking for her mate.

people on paddle boards, SUP’s, surf boards, long boards, and any kind of floating device.

how nuts is this?

even dogs coming out to join the fun.

crowded.

more crowded. once the music came on, the dancers came out.

seen some of my friends out there. what’s up Alika!

and more friends out there. what’s up Clyde!

girls in bikinis everywhere.

private parties too.

what surprises me is nobody drowns here. alcohol and ocean don’t mix too well.

i never seen so many underage kids drinking alcohol in my life.

this year i’m going to take my fisheye so i can capture the whole party. this is only half.

being creative.

up until last year, there were live rock bands and go go dancers. it’s like a floating club.

more bikinis.

i’d say this would have to be the most happening party of the year in hawaii.

this was my favorite. yoga, alcohol, and surfing. great mix for a great party!

then watching the amazing sunset. then watching the amazing fireworks. if you want to experience the best party of the year next weekend, go rent a board off waikiki and paddle out. you won’t regret it.