These last two weeks have given me another opportunity to help a landlocked visitor from Utah try his hand at surfing. I’ve been lucky enough to become friends with an ‘all-time’ group of guys from that part of the country who are for the most part are stoked on the chance to get in the water. All of them are unbelievable when riding on snow, so it has been interesting to see how they do when out of their comfort zone. The one constant with each of them is how surprised and amazed they are at the power of the ocean. Having all seen videos and pictures of the world’s best charging unruly beasts of waves and pulling deep into fire-breathing barrels with apparent ease, standing on the shores and watching 2 ft. Oceanside seems like a walk in the park. Once in the water they are soon looking over at me with the same expression of surprise and disbelief. They, as many do, all underestimated just how powerful the ocean is and are soon given a new vision when it comes to surfing and receive an awakening of sorts after a couple of chest-high waves end up on their head.

For those who make surfing a regular part of their lives and become somewhat accustomed to the ocean and her power, the same type of awakening and renewed respect is brought on in different ways. One of them being when a fellow wave-rider loses his life at the expense of doing what they love.

Once again the most famous wave in the world has reminded us of its power. Twenty-three year-old bodyboarder Joshua Kalai Nakata, who by all accounts loved the ocean as much as he loved life, died Sunday after he apparently struck his head on the reef at the Banzai Pipeline on the North Shore. With his bodyboard and fins ripped away by the 8-10 ft surf, Nakata was under the water for about 10 to 15 minutes before he was found, family members said. Lifeguards pulled Nakata out of the water and began CPR until paramedics arrived. He was taken in critical condition to Kahuku Hospital, where he died.

With Pipeline claiming yet another life, our hearts go out to the Nakata family as they experience the loss of their family member and friend.

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Tags: pipeline

Posted by Shaun on Tuesday, March 18th, 2008 in Surfing.

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