I'm gonna wear the helmet cam during my heats and shoot stills from the beach. If I get knocked out early, I'll swim with the Go Pro for impact zone video.
The paipo divsion ran yesterday in chest high surf with 20-25 mph offshore wind. I finished 7th of 7 in my heat! Actually, I was lucky to get two waves and score at all.
Most of the the guys rode small boards kickboard style and took off roll-in style next to the peak. I can tell you that paddling at the peak in 25 mph offshore wind with one hand on the 47" Malama Kai results in the board being blown 10 feet backward once the wave starts to crest. (That accounts for 2 waves not caught.) I did catch two whitewater rides, but never did get out of the whitewater to the open face.
In retrospect, the HPD XL or a lunch tray would have been a much better choice for the wind. The rides I saw in the second heat were long, angling bodysurf style rides with the occasional bodysurf style spinner thrown in.
That was a great opportunity, Ted. Did you meet any of the riders, Uncle Harry, Larry Goddard, or Jarrett Liu? Nice and warm that is for sure. How was Samoa?
rodNDtube "Prone to ride"
I love my papa li`ili`i
"The sea doth wash away all human ills."
-- Euripides.
I talked to some of the guys in the water. Most of the guys were entered in multiple divisions and were either in the water or scattered up and down the beach. The contest was informal and had a family atmosphere. (See my Samoa report.)
Thanks for the report. Post some pics if you have any! But pls don't use that site where you put your Samoa pics. I can't open any of it - I think a problem with "Flash".
I found a short compilation vid of this years contest. There's a segment of a paipo rider pulling a rollo. Anyone know of links to other vids or photos from this year? Looked like really fun conditions. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Bly9nGIxeg