Page 5 - MidWeek Windward - Jan 12, 2022

Aloha surfers and beachgoers,
Happy New Year! I’m back from holiday with family and ready to go surf- ing!
the Olympic debut of surfing with Carissa Moore winning gold. She also won her fifth world title and she’s done it all carrying Duke Kah- anamoku’s mantle of aloha around the globe. She’s a blessing.
The local resident and prodigy won two North Shore events back-to-back in a manner that can best be described a supreme com- mand. One was the Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold Hale‘iwa Challenger on Dec. 6 and the other was the HIC Pipe Pro on Dec. 16. It was his fifth victory for this competition. These give Florence a total of nine North Shore victo- ries to his name, tying with Andy Irons. I claim it’s only a matter of a couple years for Florence to surpass Irons. I also would not be surprised if Florence wins another
world title soon, barring an- other knee mishap.
Pipe Masters. Pipe will start it all with the Billabong Pro Pipeline holding period Jan. 29-Feb. 10.
I hope you and your friends and family scored plenty of stoke out in the lineups, or anywhere for that matter. There’s certain- ly enough to go around for everyone. Surfing is and has been sorely needed during times such as these.
Meanwhile, Gabriel Me- dina added his third title for John John Florence to go after. Medina is Brazil’s first champ, in 2014, 2018 and now 2021. Florence owned the years 2016-2017, back-to-back. Though, he’s had three knee injuries that stopped two title years. Many believe he’d have won
Changing gears to the big stuff, Maui’s surfers Paige Alms and Kai Lenny earned top paddle honors, versus towing, at the 2021 Red Bull Big Wave Awards back in late October. Billy Kemper — a four-time Pe‘ahi Chal- lenge champ — took third. I think our local surf talent truly inspired the globe. I can hardly wait to see what happens this year.
Can you imagine Flor- ence’s nerves? Yikes! Plus, the girls get it all to them- selves — a first this year. It’s all equal, all the way down the line to the purse. Go, girls.
It was an incredible and memorable year to put it mildly. The most incredible moments I’d have to give to
Hawai‘i’s Carissa Moore is the first surfer to win Olympic and world titles in same year. PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES
just based on the dominating start of those years. Knees aside, Florence just keeps coming back stronger.
The World Championship Tour kicks off in Hawai‘i now — versus ending with the Vans Triple Crown and
Mahalo for sharing the new year surf with me here in MidWeek’s Windward O‘ahu Voice. I’m stoked! Aloha.
JANUARY 12, 2022 5
BY GARY KEWLEY
Eagerly Waiting To See What Surfers Do In 2022
GQ, droppin’ in 4 U!
gary@surfnewsnetwork.com
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