Page 4 - MidWeek Windward - Feb 9, 2022

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FEBRUARY 9, 2022
Aloha surfers and beachgoers,
On day one of Feb- ruary, we had a rising 8-to- 12-foot northwest swell, plus day three of the Billabong Pro Pipeline. The past couple of months have just been insane- ly good. It’s been back-to- back classic west-northwest to northwest episodes. Big wave world champ and Billabong Pro commentator Makua Kai Rothman said that it’s been one of the best seasons of the past decade.
BY GARY KEWLEY
Surfer Hamilton Shows Talent, Faith, Bravery
We’re just in awe and admiration
for our hometown Hanalei legend ... (Bethany Hamilton) inspires millions across the globe to be the best versions of themselves.
Jan. 29 and goes through Feb. 10. Based on the phenomenal forecast, the contest should be done by the time you get your hands and eyes on this piece.
globe to be the best versions of themselves.
shore of Kaua‘i back in 2003. It was her bravery in that loss that empowered her back into her dreams of pro surfing and changed the world.
History was made with the women enjoying their first ever CT comp at Pipe.
At the time of this writing my daughter Chelsea — my hero — shared a quote with me. It was written by author Erin Van Vuren and states, “There are four things in this life that will change you. Love, music, art and loss. The first three will keep you wild and full of passion. May you allow the last to make you brave.”
Next up, stop No. 2 on the 2022 WCT will be right up the road at another iconic surf sport called Sunset Beach. It’s the Hurley Sunset Beach presented by Shiseido. The holding period is Feb. 11-23. If Mother Nature continues with her unrelenting blessings of surf, we are going to score big time! Stayed tuned at snn- hawaii.com.
The first contest of the World Championship Tour’s 11 events is now at Pipeline. The holding period opened on
One of the big stories is one of the most famous surfers of all time, Bethany Hamilton. She turned 32 on Feb. 8 and shows no signs of stopping.
We’re just in awe and ad- miration for our hometown Hanalei legend. She’s talent- ed, faithful and brave. She inspires millions across the
May I add sports to that list? I cannot help but think of Hamilton with the loss of her left arm, and almost her young life in that infamous shark attack on the North
GQ, droppin’ in 4 U!
“To have the women surf Pipe is incredible,” says two- time Australian world champ Tyler Wright. “A lot of hard work has happened to get us here today. I think it will take us a few years to get used to it, but it’s exciting. I’m scared of Pipe. I don’t even hide that. It’s a wave that makes you pull every single resource. All the choices and all these
things you have to read with- in half a second while surfing there, really pulls everything you got as a surfer.”
carved up the Banzai waves, got barreled and destroyed the lips — making it through sev- eral heats. How she does this with three kids and one arm, I don’t know.
Her performances are simply inspiring. Hamilton
gary@surfnewsnetwork.com
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