Some Ehukai Sandbar action 12/15/11

So I've been out here on Oahu for a 11 days now. After staying down the street from pipe for 5 nights altogether, getting barreled a lot, partying at the volcom house, lovin' life at an outdoor rave, and doin a lot of cruising in between, it's safe to say this is turning out to be a very well-rounded trip. With the hospitality and informative introduction to the North Shore by accomplished waterman and Waimea charger, Chris Owens, I've been able to savor the fruits of OTW, backdoor, and pipe comfortably. His brother, Bobby Owens (a 70's pro surfer who still rips), is also a new friend and an interesting brain to pick. While his son Stephen was in town, Bobby would take pictures instead of surf and I was lucky enough to partake during this small day sesh at the sandbar. More shots to come from the past of couple days. PS: I wish I had some cool lifestyle pics to fill yall in on all the action and beauty outside of the water like Cheney here, but, I'll leave that to the imagination.

 Bye Bye.

Gotta Love the Japanese Grandma and Aunt

Although I'm not lost in traslation, I'm definitely lost in the countryside. Since I'm so far from any type of rippable wave, I've been straight chillin' with the family. Quality time, a lot of Japanese television and even more bomb grinds. The auntie and grandma go to work..

Numazu, Shimizu-cho, Japan

lettuce is in...

...rice is out, while mt fuji says hi in the background

the elderly get active

vegetables sold on the side of the road honor system style, thats when you know you're far from home

home away from home

Ramen

Okonomiyaki

A very tired aunt and uncle, and it's only 9 pm haha

And the 24 hr Journey to Nippon Begins...

Day 1

5:15 am: Woke up in San Diego

6:15 am: 2 hr drive to Los Angeles

8:30 am: Arrived in South Pasadena, CA

10:45 am: 40 min drive to LAX (thanks Jeff Gonzales)

SNACK PACK!!

11:30 am: Arrived at LAX

11:45 am: Check-In

Throughout the last six years of doing this trip every Decmember, I've never seen the International Airport this empty. I was literally the only person to walk through the security checkpoint...

12:45 pm:

...so I decided to start drinking in preparation for my 12 hr flight

2:10 pm: Boarded a flying boat that seats close to 700 people...I dont know how I feel about this...

2:30 am:

...Nevertheless, made it safely to Narita 国際空港, thanks to music

"welcome home"#stoked...

clean...

technological...

delicious

Ambrose and Cheney Leave California for Tree Weeks

Following a fun-filled fall season, complete with waves, frequently clear afternoons, random rainy days, and more than warranted amounts of alcohol consumption...Ambrose left San Diego for Honolulu, HI on Tuesday 12/13 to score piping tubes harder than your grandma at a USO concert, while Jeff left Los Angeles for Japan the following Friday 12/16 to become more asian....the two of us parted with an all-day empty session at Windansea after holding hands to this sunset...

A Weekend After the Storm, November 12, 2011

The morning after Fall's second rain storm in San Diego brought with it some 15 kt offshores following a period of violent rain and winds. We decided to check a frothy beachbreak the day before NSSA Competition #2 @ Seaside Reef. Combo swells, high tide, a river mouth, scattered showers and offshore winds provided for classic storm conditions

Jeff Cheney

Ambrose Tarantino

pitted..

The day of NSSA Contest #2 @ Seaside Reef blessed us with epic weather, albeit smaller yet still punchy waves. UCSD got 8th overall, but congrats to Shaun Burrell for placing 3rd in the final and for carrying the weight of team, as usual... His back remains sore and he is currently receiving rehabilitation therapy in La Jolla.

Good Morning!

Seaside Reef. Cardiff, San Diego, CA

Ambrose Tarantino

Shaun Burrell

Perry Strahl

Asst. Coach, Ryan Hartegan

Perry Strahl

Kokoro Tomatsuri

Photo: Tracy Strahl