Kaua‘i kine slow, O‘ahu overrun

If you think it’s crowded in the water here on Kaua‘i, at your favorite little surf spot … well look no farther than 90 miles across the sea, where the world converges to surf, sun, and compete, compete, compete in a continuous array of surfing competitions over the next few weeks on O‘ahu.

True, we do have an NSSA contest this weekend on Kaua‘i, with the state’s best amateur riders vying for the best waves and the highest points credited towards their desires to make it to Nationals. However, in Honolulu you will find surfers training and competing and doing exclusive photo shoots for a bevy of photographers for their sponsors, for the magazines and for all the glory.

Surfing has come a long way from the days of pure fun and stoke, to that of being a high-tech, high profile, big money business — a billion dollar one at that, with so many trying to get a slice of the pie. Free surfers are actually being paid to simply ride a wave around the world. Not a bad job.

Well they have ridden waves that converge on O‘ahu’s North Shore to get the glory, the fame the money and, oh yeah … a tube or two … and it is a madhouse. The upcoming contests of major consequence on O‘ahu include the continuation of the Roxy Pro and O’Neill portion of the triple crown, then comes the Pipeline Masters competition at Makaha, as well as the official holding period for the grand-daddy of ’em all, the Eddie Aikau at Waimea.

And surfers from around the world are dawn patrolling, night trolling and mid-day snooping for some shade beneath a coconut tree.

Lucky we live Kaua‘i.

Lucky there’s another swell on the horizon.

And one other thing, if you thought real estate on Kaua‘i is still outlandish, a beach house on O‘ahu during the next few precious weeks rents for over $12,000 a week … gulp … figure that out on a cost per wave basis and you will find it all has to do with peace of mind.

And once again, all I can say is, “Lucky we live Kaua‘i.”