The World's Not Flat! | Big Island Weekly

Stoke Stories

By Leona Roberts

With nary a wave in sight from out of the south for Big Island shores, storms along the Antarctic Sheet down under New Zealand, generated swells after the first week of August. The energy, ran up the west coast of South America and into the California swell-window. Those northeastward bound south-swells left Hawaii empty handed but arrived at Oceanside California in time to grace the 36th Annual World Bodysurfing Championships with contestable waves for August 18 and 19, 2012.

In spite of its bad rap for being flat and more of a swimming event, the ?World?s? had been far better attended during previous years, running a phenomenal 400 to 500 + participants, grouped into over a dozen age and gender divisions. With 15 minute heats running constantly at both sides of the pier, the sounding of the horn simultaneously signifies the ending of the heat in the water and the beginning of the next heat. With the clock already ticking, fresh contestants promptly dash from shore, past the heat-completed bodysurfers, into the newly vacated contest lineup and commence to ride waves.

The two sets of judging panels on shore are comprised of previous championship bodysurfers and legendary riders. Keeping track of who, what, where, when, how many, etc., while sets are pouring in is a monumental challenge on its own. Constant conferring with one another and with the ?spotters,? extra eyes with equally honorable credentials, keeps the judges constantly locked in and intensely focused in order to keep track and not miss scoring anyone?s moves. Burn-out is somewhat alleviated by a steady go-round of judges taking leave while another returns to duty, only at the ending of a division in order to keep scoring as fair as possible. MC?s pass on information as the contest progresses and keep the galleries amused.

Increased radiation, expensive airfares, inflated gas prices and a stagnant job market claimed the blame as less than 250 entrants participated in 3-6 foot surf this year. Over 200 of California?s finest were joined by several bodysurfeurs from France, a surfe de peito lady from Brazil, a dash of bodysliders from the East Coast, a few more North Americans from various lands and a handful of kaha nalu riders from Oahu. The event held true to form and generated the legendary bodysurfing camaraderie that the sport is known for. Congratulations to the Grand Champion Man, Tim Casinelli, the Grand Champion Woman, Calla Alison and to all who attended. Complete results at: www.worldbodysurfing.org.

August seemed to connected me with more interesting Big Island women than any other month this year. Retiring from home brew judging several years ago hasn?t altered my taste for craft beer. I was stoked to attend a Big Island Ladies Of Craft Beer tasting at Kona Brewing and don?t want to miss their next get together. facebook.com/home.php#!/BigIslandLadiesOfCraftBeer.

The beers were top notch and I was in great company. During the raffle, I scored a lovely and comfortable yoga top from primalartistryhi.com.

Historically, women have been very important concerning beer. In centuries gone by while the general purity of water was very seldom reliable, drinking beer, wine and other brewed or alcoholic beverages was part of everyday life, mostly because they were far safer to drink than water.

The primary brewers during the ?Middle Ages? were women. After Europeans began migrating to the ?New World? of North America, women skilled in the art of homebrewing made the most highly desirable brides. A woman?s brewing savvy ensured her family?s health and well being. Recent economics and health concerns following decades of undisclosed use of harmful chemicals that were declared to be safe by their bottom-line-driven producers seems to be providing encouragement for the comeback of many things from the past, including gardening, the crafting of food and beverages at home, cottage industries, microbrewing and more.

The Big Island is fortunate to be home to several excellent microbreweries, Big Island Brewhaus in Waimea, Kona Brewing Company in Kailua-Kona and Mehana Brewing in Hilo. Local exposure to high quality beer has led to increased interest in home brewing on the Big Island. If you or your spouse enjoy craft beer, home brewing can be rewarding on many levels.

Local homebrewing suppliers such as www.rocketsuds.com, local homebrewing clubs and the American Homebrewers Association (AHA) have everything to transform the enigma of fermentation into liquid aloha. The Association of Brewers (AOB), a not-for-profit educational and trade association for small and craft brewers is also a great resource. AOB?s mission: to make quality beer and brewing knowledge accessible to all. Their website: www.beertown.org.

Point Pleasant on the New Jersey shore of North America?s Atlantic Coast is hosting the SCION JENKS, USBA, United States Bodyboarding Association National Tour?s champion-deciding event, September 1 through September 10, 2012. With hurricanes sweetening the surf, this event could be quite the bout.

Major contenders include the USBA?s top two highest ranking bodyboarders, Hawaii?s Hubbard brothers, Jeff and Dave. Da braddahs from Kauai will be competing against each other and the ranks for the Men?s US National Pro Championship Title.

Young Sammy Morrentino, also from Kauai, who recently swooped and scooped the Sandy Beach Pro-division away from his Pro-elders while competing as an amateur will also be testing the local New Jersey beach break masters in their own waters.

Two times USBA Women?s Champion, Roberta Bitzer was leading into the last event. However, after competing this July as an amateur and advancing to pull Second Place away from the wahine Pros at Sandy Beach, Big Island?s own Liana Carson from Kona is going Pro for her first mainland contest appearance at the SCION Jenk?s Pro. Go Liana! For updates, schedule information and to watch the mysteries of the bodyboarding tour unfold live, go to www.usbatour.com.

Source: http://bigislandweekly.com/lifestyle/the-worlds-not-flat.html

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