BATS' CORNER

2010-08-14T00:34:00.001-07:00

UNREGISTER to BLOGGR

Transparent Sea Voyage

2009-11-15T14:47:00.000-08:00

Transparent Sea's Last Message

Transparentsea Last Message from Billabong on Vimeo.

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BUDIASA presents CLIPS

2009-11-15T00:19:00.000-08:00

I'm really proud to post this blog on behalf of my braddahz from Japan Keisuke Imada and Hisamitsu "Broken" Iijima! Keiske and Broken are the dynamic duo that is Budiasa! Clips is Budiasa's newest project and by the looks of the cover shuvits really grab my attention.

When I'm in Japan with Nickhead and Brokeneck, these guys are always working with us to get the "Clips"! All of our surfing has gotten better because of Budiasa's projects. I really enjoy working with them because of their passion for surfing and laid back lifestyle. I'm excited to hear the soundtrack that they've picked out! Budiasa also does a great job of profiling the future generations! Check the trailer:

5th Annual Hui O He`e Nalu North Shore Beach Clean Up

2009-11-14T00:57:00.001-08:00

Welcome to everyone of all ages to come down to Velzyland Park by 8:00 am to participate in the North Shore Beach Clean Up. This is a great way to rub shoulders with the top pros and legends of surfing and the Triple Crown. Always wanted to do your part to keep the community that your surf in clean, here you go and it doesn't matter where you live or are from.

After the Beach Clean up I heard the top Pros are going to be doing a free autograph signing for the keiki! Guys like Bruce and Andy Irons, Reef McIntosh, Makuakai Rothman, Freddy P, Sunny Garcia and many more will be lending their hands in cleaning the North Shore and signing posters for the kids!

Reef Hawaiian Pro Day 1

2009-11-14T00:45:00.000-08:00

Click Me to Contrastmagazine.com/blog

Ronin Eyewear Groms

2009-11-11T23:36:00.000-08:00

Today I went up to Sunset Beach to meet up with my two grom team riders for Ronin Eyewear. Takumi Yasui from Kamogawa, Japan is here surfing and training for the winter season. Takumi is staying with Mahina Maeda's house, the perfect spot for an up and coming Japanese grommet!

Mahina wearing Ninja-White-Gradation Lens Takumi wearing NO.3-White-Gradation Lens

Takumi and Mahina have such big futures ahead of them and I'm stoked to be apart of it! I remember what it was like being a surf stoked grom, all I wanted to do is surf and that's just how these two are. It's so awesome.

Mahina Maeda and Takumi Yasui, Sunset Beach 2009

So today I went over and shot them for the Ronin Eyewear Japan Blog and for our upcoming Ads and catalogues for 2010 in Japan! Right after we were done shooting, the kids were out the door to go surf Freddyland. Classic!

40th Annual Haleiwa International Open Entry Forms

2009-11-11T14:04:00.000-08:00

What's up everybody!!!

Yes its almost that time again...Haleiwa International Open time that is. 40 Years...can you believe it!!!

This year's event will run from December 21, 2009 - January 4, 2010.

For all contest information log onto Facebook.com and join the Haleiwa International Open group page to stay tuned with all the happenings of the HIO. If you don't have Facebook then you can check back here and I will update this page also.

Event Hotline: (808)637-2544

Event Synopsis

The HIO showcases 12 divisions in both Shortboard and Longboard divisions for both Male or Female competitors of all ages. We have had surfers from Japan, South Africa, Australia, Brazil, France, Portugal, Spain, all over the USA and from the different Hawaiian Islands.

Great performances in our event have helped surfers like Kiron Jabour, Keanu Asing, Hizon Lin Kee boost their amateur careers to the next level as of present. In the past the World’s best have qualified through here like Bruce and Andy Irons, Halewia’s own Freddy Patacchia and also guys like Phil Macdonald, Dean Morrison and Jordy Smith. The HIO is known to amateurs as the premiere Big Wave surfing event, and has been run in 8-12 foot surf in previous years.

Rell Sunn and Earl Dahlin originally started the Hale‘iwa International Open as a good will event for visiting Japanese surfers. Over the years, more international surfers have been entering the big wave event.

The Haleiwa International Open is a community fundraiser run by the Friends of Ali`I Beach, a certified non-profit organization 501 (c) (3). The proceeds from this event are used to run the annual Haleiwa Menehune Surfing Championships, and the summer and winter programs at the Haleiwa Surf Center.

"NEW" Blog Post on Contrastmagazine.com

2009-11-11T02:18:00.000-08:00

I just posted 2 blogs on Contrastmagazine.com:

-VANS announces record $1,000,000 surfing prize purse (Press Release)

-Reef Hawaiian Pro @ Hale`iwa 11/12-23

New Board Rack

2009-11-10T23:59:00.000-08:00

I've been busy cleaning up my house lately. Since I've been gone on the road so much as of late, the chores around the house have been building up. So I finally buckled down and cleaned up the garage. This thing was packed with pretty much all my stuff from when we moved out from the North Shore.
With all the new found space, I decided that I needed a board rack. My boards were taking a beating just being stacked and placed where ever they could fit. So now they are very nice and happy! Look at them. Now they look ready for the Triple Crown!!!

2009 Vans Triple Crown of Surfing events Live on TV!!!

2009-11-07T02:11:00.000-08:00

For the first time ever, the 2009 Vans Triple Crown of Surfing events will be available live on television across Hawaii . In cooperation with the VTCS, Oceanic Time Warner Cable will broadcast all three events in their entirety, live on digital ch.250. All the features of the live webcast (narration, scores, interviews, replays, video clips, and more) will be available on the channel. If you don't already have one, you'll need a digital cable box to view the broadcasts, so hurry on down to your nearest Oceanic location and pick one up. First up is the Reef Hawaiian Pro on 11/12. It's going to be sick!

Ronin Eyewear Team ripping Haleiwa

2009-11-06T10:47:00.000-08:00

Check out the boys who are representing Ronin Eyewear in Hawaii. Haleiwa was pumping the other day and these guys was killing it! The waves were in the 4-6 foot range with 8 foot sets coming in. To find out more about Ronineyewear.com click in to see the shades and to keep up with the latest in Japan.

I'd like to introduce to you Kapono Nahina. Kapono is one of the coolest Hawaiians that I know. He's got great fluid style and he can turn his Longboard like a Shortboard!

On any given day you can see Pono pushing the progression level of Longboarding with big vertical snaps, gouging slashes, 360's and airs! Yes that's right AIRS! He can boost, for real!!!

If you have been following my blog then you know this guy. If not, he's Kekoa Uemura. He's been mixing it up on the JPSA Tour doing both Longboard and Shortboard disciplines. Another interseting fact is that Kekoa also shapes his own boards. How classic is the design on Koa's board!!! hahaha
Check out kekoauemurasurfboard.blogspot.com

This day Kekoa decided to throw some huge open face carves instead of hanging 10. Check the style! Showing that he can truely do it on both.

World Tour Rookie Kekoa Bacalso just got home from a long run of events. BAM was super stoked to be surfing Haleiwa with the boys. BAM is currently ranked #18 in the World and has one more event coming up The Billabong Pipeline Masters, December 8-20.

Here is a look at BAM's magic weapon. Vesso International 6'0 and the rest of the specs are a secret. Put it this way its gotta handle the power of Kekoa's mad hacks.

Speaking of hacks, here is what I was talking about! Just a little sample of what's coming up next week for the Reef Hawaiian Pro, November 12-23 at Haleiwa for the first event of the Triple Crown of Surfing.

Hank Gaskell wins the 26th Xcel Pro presented by Honolua

2009-11-04T00:13:00.000-08:00

Hank Gaskell by Brian Bielmann

I want to send a huge congratulations to my buddy Hank Gaskell for achieving his biggest accomplishment as a professional surfer by winning the Xcel Pro yesterday. The waves were in the 6-12 foot range over the 3 day competition. The conditions were prime for a surfing contest and all of the 80 competitors took full advantage of it.

For more photos check out:
http://xcelpro.xcelwetsuits.com/2009/gallery.php

26th Annual Xcel Pro presented by Honolua

2009-10-30T23:07:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow we could see the kick off to Day 1 of the 26th Annual Xcel Pro presented by Honolua. The surf is predicted to be in the 8-10 foot range and building into Sunday! There are 8 heats in the first round (Round of 80) and then 16 heats in the second round (Round of 64). If the event does run tomorrow they will complete the Round of 80 and first 13 heats of the Round of 64, with the event wrapping up on the next day of competition.
Some of the biggest names in surfing will be turning up for this event so you surely don't want to miss out on the live action! The likes of Sunny Garcia, Andy Irons and defending Champion Pancho Sullivan have all entered. Other legends who will be competing are Derek Ho, Larry Rios and Kaipo Jaquias!!! Whew, its gonna be on! Check the heat draw.
http://xcelpro.xcelwetsuits.com/2009/

Billabong Cloud 9 Invitational (Final Day)

2009-10-28T22:08:00.001-07:00

Congratulations to Australia's Garrett Parkes for taking down the 2009 Billabong Cloud 9 Invitational! Parkes had to battles against Hawaii's Makua Rothman for the victory and did just enough for the W! Click the banner to watch the highlights!

Billabong Cloud 9 Invitational (Day 2)

2009-10-22T21:13:00.001-07:00

Man, the waves are still firing for Day 2 of competition. I'm having trouble sleeping thinking about how shacked these guys are getting. How shacked they'll be getting tomorrow. Heavy... check out this Day 2 action! Perfect 10's are going down!!!

Billabong Cloud 9 Invitational

2009-10-21T21:02:00.000-07:00

Bra, the waves are firing in the Philippines right now. I just checked the videos, photos and the updates from the Annual Billabong Cloud 9 Invitational and its mind boggling. I've been traveling to Cloud 9 for t his event for the past 3 years and this years is amazing! Almost an understatement to be honest. Check it for yourself...

3 Deep by Contrast Magazine

2009-10-17T11:35:00.001-07:00

Just another friendly reminder about 3 Deep going on tonight by Contrast Magazine! All of your friends will be there, your friends friends. People you haven't seen in a long time. Plus its the launch of Contrast's Issue 02 Downtown! It's also The Jump Offs CD release party...so don't miss it! Chee!

Novus Swell

2009-10-15T03:43:00.000-07:00

I want everyone to check out my buddy Kaz Sano's website

Novusswell.com To keep up on the latest happenings of

Hawaii's future surfing stars. Kaz is so in tune with the

groms and is able to connect with them and the webisodes

are priceless! Click the banner to connect!

Novusswell.com has got some great coverage of my favorite

contest of 2009...the Red Bull Rivals. Town vs. Country was

such a unique event. A huge turnout and a great benefit!

The boards that Town won will be auctioned off at a later

date and also donated as prizes for the Haleiwa Menehune

Surfing Championships, Haleiwa International Open, The

Rell Sunn Menehune Surfing Championships and Na Kama

Kai. I want to give a personal shout out and Mahalo to

Red Bull Rob for making the event possible!!!

Thanks to LanciferVisual for the clip!

Click the banner to watch the highlights...

Cheehee!!!

2009-10-14T04:10:00.000-07:00

The Malibu presents The Hyuga Pro is over! I watched the event religiously for a good 3 days straight, or at least it felt that way. None the less I was happy to keep up to date on what's happening in Japan and the last WQS event of the 2009 season.

A huge CONGRATS to Kekoa "Kimbo" Uemura who won the LQS! Kekoa is having an incredible year, actually every year has been career for this guy. 4 wins and a 2nd place is amazing! 2 of those 4 wins have been LQS events and the other 2 have been JPSA events. Nonetheless Kekoa finished his 2009 Japan season very well, and look for him to be doing the same on the short board side of things on the 2010 JPSA tour! Aurite!

Dustin killed it in the Hyuga Pro! Dustin flew over to Japan for the 4* WQS event in Chiba to get ready for the upcoming leg of 6* Prime events in Canada and Santa Cruz. D.C. got a chance to sink his teeth into a few in Chiba but was quite satisfied and wanted the taste of more blood, and decided to fly back to Hyuga. Dustin wanted to be sure that was ready for the leg and a 2nd place is as close as he wanted to finish up. Check out his stats from the event below.

Dustin started from the round of 64, then 40, 32, Quarters, Semis the Finals. Dustin heat scores from every round were in the Top 10 of the whole event. Incredible!!!

This shot is classic! Congrats Izuki Tanaka and Dustin Cuizon

This is Team Hawaii in Japan! Congrats to Da Braddah's Minsyuku for taking out the Team Challenge! 3 years in the making and they did it! Chee hee! Check out their huge bottles of Sake that they won! Banzai!!!

Big Aloha to Nickhead for doing a great job commentating the entire event. Nick was joined by the likes of Joezy and Asaka san! Great job to ASP Japan for running another great event! A bigger Mahalo to Yamamoto san for taking such great photos!!!

2009 Malibu presents Hyuga Pro

2009-10-11T14:40:00.000-07:00

Today is the final day of the Malibu Hyuga Pro in Japan.

It's Monday there, and Sunday here in Hawaii. Click the

link above to take you right to the live webcast.

My boy Nick Mita is double dipping doing both MCing &

Competing. He's making double pay and still sleeping in

his van to save money...now that's one "chang" buggah.

Nah, j/k no arm bar me....hahaha. Anyway Nick is in Qtr.

2 and coming off a big win over his rival Shiba Jun, haha.

Nick is also sharing the same sleeping space with Kekoa

"Kimbo". This van must have good mana because Kekoa

got 2 perfect 10's in the contest. (Who's judging the JPSA

judges or what...nah joke) No sabo-blog me ah....hahaha.

The third amigo who got conned into sleeping inside of

the car by the other two mentioned buggaz is Dustin boy!

Dustin has been the stand out of the WQS side with 3 heat

wins. Point totals of 17.25, 18.o and 17.45. He's now in the

Quarter Final #1. It's great to see Dustin competing in

Japan and raising the level there!

Keep an eye out for all the Ronin Eyewear team riders

still competing in this event. Good luck boys!

WQS

Quater Final, Heat 1

Yellow-Dustin Cuizon

White-Masahiro Suzuki

Quarter Final, Heat 3

Yellow-Naohisa Ogawa

Pro Jr

Quarter Final, Heat 4

Yellow-Gai Sato

Semi Final, Heat 2

White-Hiroto Arai

Cadet

Semi Final, Heat 1

Red-Hiroto Arai

White-Takumi Yasui

Semi Final, Heat 2

Red-Gai Sato

White-Yugo Kawabata

3 DEEP

2009-10-11T14:27:00.001-07:00

To celebrate the release of our third issue, themed “Downtown”, we are presenting an evening of live music, dancejams and art called “3DEEP”. It’s the third Saturday of October (the 17th) and takes place Downtown with three venues: Manifest Cafe, Nextdoor and The Loft. They’re all on Hotel Street, three blocks from Honolulu Harbor (sorry, but I’m going to play out this three shit haaard). I went to elementary with a kid that had a mini third thumb. Never trusted him because of it.
It’s also The Jump Offs debut album release party! $10 cover gets you access to all venues.

Nextdoor (Hotel Street, between Smith and Nu’uanu Makai-side)
Live sets by The Jump Offs and Girlfriends
DJ sets by Kause and Marika
Buy the Jump Offs debut album there!

Loft (corner of Hotel Street and Maunakea street - almost)
Live sets by The Deadbeats and The Throwdowns (Maui)
DJ sets by Loft Resident DJ’s including Ross Jackson

Manifest Cafe (Hotel Street, between Smith and Nu’uanu Mauka-side)
Live Acoustic Set by Kimie Miner
DJ sets by The Super Handsome Sound DJ’s
Art from Dalek, Kristen Lim and photos from the Downtown issue photographers

There will also be a limited amount of new Contrast issues available at the venues. Not too many, we want you to party not read a magazine. Mahalo to Sweet Carolina Sweet Tea Vodka, In4mation, Aloha Army, Prototype, Fitted, and Stussy

Congrats Kekoa!!

2009-10-05T13:40:00.000-07:00

A big congrats to Kekoa "Kimbo" Uemura for taking down the All Japan Pro at Taito Beach in Chiba, Japan this past weekend! Kekoa was in the running for the Grand Champion Title with Taiki Mori. It all came down to the math of how who did what, but in the end Kekoa's goal was to win the event and to not worry about anyone else and he did just that!

After a month of traveling and surfing together, Kekoa was more than ready for this event. To be completely honest, I think its all of the shortboard that Kekoa has been doing that is actually making him more dangerous on the longboard side of things. I remember when I was longboarding last year, it made shortboarding more enjoyable. You draw different lines and it forces you to read the wave differently depending on what board you are riding.

Great way to end off the 2009 JPSA season for Kekoa. I know he'd be psyching to accomplish his other goal in the short board and qualify for his professional license in 2010. On behalf of myself and the Ronin Family...Thank You Kekoa for your hard work and dedication to our brand!

STILL FILTHY

2009-09-30T04:34:00.001-07:00

This is a FREE Premiere of Still Filthy for all of you surf enthusiasts! Don't miss it!

Chiba, Japan

2009-09-24T04:17:00.000-07:00

So we are back in Chiba for the 4* WQS Billabong Tsurigasaki Pro at Shidashita. Shida is one of Chiba's most high performance venues, which is the perfect setting for some of the World's top professionals to show their stuff! Japan is such a great place to compete because the crowd really gets behind the surfers and their skill and aren't afraid to show it and express their respect for all of the surfers! Hey that's why I love surfing here, because the people really, really love surfing. It's like no where else in the World!!!

Be sure to stay tuned to the events Live Webcast all week! Send you messages into my boy Nick Mita, he's commentating the entire event. He gets super amped when everyone sends in their thoughts and comments of support for the surfers. Nick is also competing in the event so be sure to cheer him on as well! I think the best surfers are the ones that can represent themselves in and out of the water, and Nick is a perfect example of that!

Watch the Billabong Tsurigasaki Pro

The conditions today were very difficult, not the type of waves you would expect from Japan. The surf was in the 3-4 foot range, but very powerful dumping type waves. These conditions are expected to stick around all week, so the surfers have to be ready to battle with the ocean and not just the other competitors.

Here are a couple of shots from the event website! Stoked to have gotten some love! Thanks Yamamoto san for shooting!

I was stoked to get a few fun waves in my heat today!

I got the chance to fill in for Nick "The MC" Mita while prepared for and surfed his heat today. Nickhead ripped his way to the round of 96! I know why now, cause he had the best seat in the house! The view was nice from the box!

SHIKOKU, JAPAN

2009-09-14T08:21:00.000-07:00

SHIKOKU
We bailed Ibaraki at 7AM for a 3 hour drive to Haneda Airport. Made it safely to OK Parking to drop off our Van. Checked in, didn't have to pay for our surfboards on the domestic flight to Kochi City, Shikoku. Not having to pay for surfboards when flying is like a dream! A quick hour and a half flight and we were there just before 2PM. Caught the shuttle bus over to Orix Car Rental and this is the whip they gave us!

Brand new Honda Inspire! Hybrid and all!!! Chee hee!!! 13 boards, 3 duffel bags, 3 Macs, and all the gear you need for a blog. Check out Nick and Kekoa's blogs. Pretty much priceless right now! 3 hour drive over to Ikumi. Once we reached our destination the fuel gauge was still abover the Full line...go figure! I love Hybrid's! We checked out Ikumi where the JPSA #4 by Murasaki Sports is supposed to take place and it was ankle high. (sorry no photo)

Classic photo of the boys. I said "hey guys, show me how stoked you guys are to be in Shikoku" and this was what I got. It's a good thing these guys can rip and are a sponsors dream cause they wouldn't make it as models. Nah j/k. Nah not/k...hahaha!

How's this sight for sore eyes! Go ahead and put this up on your screen saver! A little gift from me to you. No you know Japan is not just about the big cities and the hustle and bustle of everyday life. There are still very many beautiful places like this in Japan, nearly every stop on tour will take you through a place like this!

The constant struggle of Man vs. Nature
When we saw this, we felt better that our car was a Hybrid. We all have to do what we can to preserve nature! Go green, consume less, recycle more, reuse what you can, reduce waste. It's all of our responsibility.

If you are ever in the Shishikui area of Shikoku be sure to stop by and grind at Bahati. Bahati is run by the Tsuji family, the proud parents of Japanese surfing sensation Yujiro Tsuji who will also be competing in the Murasaki Pro @ Ikumi Beach this week. They got the ono kine grinds!

Nick, Mr. Tsuji, Me, Kekoa, Mr. Chiba
Thank you for the great food and hospitality! Aloha!

JPSA #3 ISU presents Gotcha G Land Pro in Ibaraki, Japan (Wrap Up)

2009-09-14T07:43:00.000-07:00

IBARAKI
Yesterday was the last day of the JPSA ISU presents the Gotcha G Land Pro at Oarai, Ibaraki. Unfortunately for Team Hawaii, Kekoa, Nick and I never made the podium, but our buddy Darren Turner won the event!

Stop #3 on the JPSA Tour in Oarai, Ibaraki, Japan

Dazza ripping his way to victory in front of Aqua World

The Tajima Ohana was in Ibaraki to cheer on Daddy (Teppei) to win the Expression Session and a cool $2,000.00. (Jin, Teppei and Mie Tajima)

Nick Mita going straight up and eliminating me from the competition with only one good knee. Nah j/k. Nickhead is coming off of a gnarly knee injury and has been training hard with Kimo Middlesworth and the boys at Kamehameha. He game me a dose of my own medicine. Looks like I gotta get back on the program. So stoked to see Nick getting back to 100%!!!

I would like to send out a big Mahalo to Taka, Koichi and Tomoko for taking such great care of us in Ibaraki! Here we are Shakas, Peace Signs and Smiles by all! See you again next year!!!

Shahalak

2009-09-13T18:53:00.001-07:00

Check out this crazy graphic that Shahalak made for my board! Shahalak can make you pretty much any custom graphic that you may want to put on your board. Check out their web page to see if they can make you what you desire for your new surfboard. Thanks Haru and the gang!

Kekoa & Nick

2009-09-13T04:13:00.000-07:00

Here is a classic shot of my 2 travel buddies, Kekoa Uemura and Nick Mita. The 3 of us have been slugging it out here in Japan almost a decade! Japan has been so good to us and in return all we want to do is spread the Aloha Spirit! Everywhere we go people are so kind! Just take a look at these guys that they will make you smile! We have great friends, tell them you enjoy their company, their support and their friendship! We all need great friends! Koa and Nick you guys are the shit!

2009-09-12T00:35:00.000-07:00

Check out Hawaii's Kekoa Bacalso in the upcoming Hurley Boost Mobile Pro at Lower Trestles this weekend onward. Go get em BAM from the Ronin family!

Baby Bruiser Boom Boom

2009-09-12T00:12:00.000-07:00

So my buddies Nick Mita and Kekoa Uemura have got some of the funniest stuff that we have been doing on the road on their blogs. They convinced me that I should set one up too cause I travel around to some different places and should share it with yall so here's my first post.

This is Baby Bruiser Boom Boom! He's the newest addition to the family and is a bundle of joy! He keeps Aix sane when I'm on the road for work. I miss him already! I miss you too Aix!