Page 4 - MidWeek West - Feb 23, 2022

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FEBRUARY 23, 2022
Aloha surfers and beachgoers,
Time’s flying and surf’s pumping. We’ve gone well past mid-February since The Hurley Pro at Sunset Beach kicked off on Feb. 15. Many are claiming we’re liv- ing through one of the best winters ever.
is a huge change. There are 11 total international contests and for decades the WCT cul- minated with the Vans Triple Crown in November and De- cember. The tour was born in 1976 — nearly 50 years ago. So, the vibe is “Wow, this is different and it’s still the best!”
largest and most complicated of all WCT venues. You gotta be in shape and know how to read the lineup. Just making the drop and holding your rail at big Sunset is a success. I’ll be sure to have updates for you at snnhawaii.com.
a wild card entry — whoa. The waves were amazing, of course, plus it was the first time in surfing history that women were allowed full en- try into this particular world
“I feel so connected to my culture, my ancestors and the ocean when I am out there,” Jones Wong, who is part Ha- waiian, states in UH News. “Surfing gave me my identi- ty. It empowered me. In my hardest times I found peace in the ocean ... it is much more than a sport to us.”
Wong shared with all smiles, “I can’t believe it, I’m just losing it right now ... This is the best moment of my life and I’m so baffled. I never thought I was ever going to accomplish this. Carissa Moore is my favorite surfer and my hero, I always want- ed to have a final at Pipeline with her.”
What’s adding to the cur- rent 7-mile miracle’s record winter performance is the fact that this is the first year that the World Championship Tour kicked off on the North Shore.
Day one of the Hurley Pro Sunset was 8-12 feet with some 15-foot sets later in the day. Warning level surf is when it gets too big for this big wave spot.
Jones Wong will cherish the rest of her career. I wonder how she could ever surpass such a feat.
“Nothing beats pulling into a big barrel at Pipeline,” Jones Wong told Ka Puna O Kaloʻi in 2021. “I feel so connected, so happy and so alive. It’s a feeling that I can’t describe. Nothing beats it.”
I can hardly wait to watch Jones Wong share her talents with the whole wide world for many years to come. Con- grats!
The first two events were at Pipeline and Sunset. This
Competitors were still up for the challenge. The Sun- set playing field is one of the
This articulate young lady is a graduate of University of Hawai‘i–West O‘ahu and the first to receive a bach- elor of applied science in Hawaiian and Indigenous health and healing.
After her Pipe victory — her favorite wave — Jones
GQ, droppin’ in 4 U!
Josh and daughter, vaccinated
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5
HawaiiCOVID19.com/Vaccine
BY GARY KEWLEY
UHWO’s Moana Jones Wong Has Got What It Takes
The FDA has authorized the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 and above.
Going back to the first WCT event was the Billa- bong Pro Pipeline. I wanted to acknowledge 22-year-old Moana Jones Wong. The new queen of the Pipeline had to get past five-time world champ and Olympic gold medalist Carissa Moore to win this epic event and grab the No. 1 ranking. Wong was
championship venue.
This is something that
Your child’s life is precious.
Don’t wait.
Vaccinate.
gary@surfnewsnetwork.com
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