10 years ago, i would pull up to rocky point on a day like yesterday and have to weave my way through a hundred of photographers to get to the beach. traffic everywhere, lots of people on the beach as the worlds best show their stuff. everybody all hungry trying to catch a wave so they could get a photo in the magazine. trying to catch a set was like trying to steal a piece of meat from a tiger. the arguments, the fights, and the rest of the dramas unfolded right in front of your eyes.
so walking down to the same beach yesterday with only 5 photographers (including my sister and i), and just a hand of known surfers and the rest i haven’t seen in my life before was sad. surfing has changed. it’s almost like the hype is all but gone. since professional photographers don’t make money shooting photos anymore, they don’t even take the time to show up. and the leftover guys shooting on the beach are finding it hard to even make $10/photo now a days. the glory days of making $5,000/photo are finished. but the days of making 5,000 people happy on a blog aren’t. i’ll keep shooting as long as i can and it’s the responsibility of us to keep surfing moving in the right direction. never give up!

i love this angle at rocky point. it feels like you’re riding the wave too. Isaiah Moniz.

Smile Isaiah!

i’m so stoked to see the level of surfing so high. but i’m bummed to see no japanese surfers out anymore. where the heck is everybody?

Keoni Yan is the coolest kid out of tahiti. he has the tahitian boys backing him up and i can see why. good surfer and good kid means good support.

this is the first surfer i’ve seen surfing rocky point with a short sleeve full suit. this photo looks more like california or something.
well, after looking at the 800 photos i took yesterday, i feel like shooting again. see you in the water!

Who’s that hiding? Is that you Miri-Chan?
Rainbow shave ice with azuki beans and ice cream. My favorite!

when i first pulled up to the contest yesterday, i seen this kid take off backside and before he even did his bottom turn, i already knew it was Taichi Wakita. this kid not only looks like his dad, he surfs like his dad. i was stoked to see him win his heat. good surfing Taichi!

little Wakita. the next pipe master and eddie aikau invitee? he’s on the right track for sure. just listen to your dad and keep on surfing.

it’s Kaito Kurokawa’s first time to hawaii. and also first time surfing a contest here. i was stoked to see him so relaxed and focused.

making your first north shore debut is nerve racking. the waves, the beach, the locals, and the tension. everybody’s eyes are on the newcomers. this is where your surfing career really begins.

haleiwa is the hardest surf spot to figure out. i know so many people who hate this spot because it’s so hard to surf. tricky peaks, strong current, and lots of closeouts. the only way you can figure out how to surf this spot is to surf it, surf it, and surf it. only time will tell.

Kaito had the whole main peak to himself. the other boys, including Seth Moniz paddled out to the other peak and battled it out.

making your debut as a competitor surfer in hawaii and having to surf against this champion surfer kid Seth Moniz must be scary. Kaito did a good job and even though he didn’t advance from this heat, he learned a lot. Seth getting coached by Rainos Hayes. take a look at Seth’s eyes. he’s in competition mode and watching the waves like a hawk.

then Seth paddles out and does the biggest turns of the heat and getting the highest scores. i’m so proud of this kid because i can see the confidence once he hits the water. once you have confidence in yourself, you can beat anybody. this is a world champion turn by a 15 year old kid.

good to see all the supporters showing up.

and good to see the girls ripping the waves too!

Elijah Young was surfing really good! this kid is hungry!

NSA All Japan Champion Hinako Kurokawa is surfing very good too! and if you see her mom and dad surf, you will know why. a true japan surfer family!

i always stress to kids that the bottom turn is the biggest maneuver. once you have a good bottom turn, everything else will fall into place. nice Hinako!

watching the young girls come all the way from japan to compete in hawaii makes me happy. it’s always good to see new faces and new talent.

i remember when i had to check in to get my jersey for my first contest in japan. i was so fricken nervous!!! haha.

go-naminori!