Lucky Andy in Hawaii

Andy’s trip started with a 43-hour mission from Durban to The North Shore. It’s been fun, as he feels the ground shake as a 15-footer Pipe beast explodes on the beach.

This year The Billabong Pipeline Masters is a big deal. There is a world title on the line, and a hungry Kelly Slater is snorting and champing at the possibility of winning his 12th world title. Sla12er has one person in his sights – current world tour leader Joel Parkinson. Parko has yet to win a contest this year, but has been surfing smooth and tight and to the judges favour.

On paper he looks good for his first world title, but Slater thrives on pressure like this. Either way, a world champion will be crowned at Pipe, it will be a big deal, and Andy will be there to witness it all.

On top of this Andy gets to go surfing, and he is seeing the North Shore in all of its glory. He has seen Pipe, Sunset, Rocky Point and Velzyland, all the waves that have been made famous after decades of coverage in surf magazines and in numerous surf audio-visual productions. He’s going to paddle out at a few famous breaks, and a few less famous breaks. He is going to get his share of waves.

If he’s lucky and the swell comes, he might get to see Waimea break, and if he’s born under a lucky star he might get to see the Eddie run. Either way, he’s going to have some fun on the North Shore.

I’m hanging with the dude, showing him around, advising him on who to avoid, and when it’s cool to paddle out. I’m his guide and his backup. If he does fuck up, however, and a beefy Hawaiian comes running towards him with fists the size of Christmas hams wind-milling ferociously, I’ll disown him on the spot. That’s how you survive on the North Shore. Sorry bru. Drop in and you’re on your own …

We’re going to hang out as well – hobnob with the crew at the contest area, and have a few ridiculously overpriced drinks and seared tunas at Lei Lei’s. Maybe we’ll go over to Waikiki and ride the outriggers, maybe we’ll venture to the east side and suss the scene out, get some stink-eye from the locals and if we’re lucky we might even get our lives threatened – the full Hawaiian experience.

I’m going to introduce Andy to poké – the Hawaiian sashimi -and to Ted’s Bakery, to plate lunch specials and Cholos Homestyle Mexican food. He’s also going to have to suffer a few trips to Foodland.

Enjoy the Hawaiian Chronicles on Wavescape. Time is fleeting. Barrels take their toll.