John John Florence (HAW) brought a new style and a new generation to big wave surfing by winning the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational.
Nobody knows were the Polynesians began to surf. Fact is, the Pacific Ocean is the birthplace of surfing. Hawaiians may have lost their kingdom but surfers, have been the leaders in a struggle for environmental and cultural rebirth. They may have been pushed off the land, but have not yet lost the waves. Their surfing roots go back thousands of years, when chants and songs began to honour surfing. Today native surfers still rule the surfing world passing on their Hawaiian spirit and always referring to their Hawaiian roots and values. Their stories lead the way. Here's a historical flashback.
I’ve recently been reminded how short and fragile life can be, as my good friend Cliff Makaena just had an unexpected open heart surgery (triple bypass) on Monday 3/7. It was shock to everyone including himself as this life changing event unfolded over just a few days.
It was a 5 and a half hour surgery on and the doctors were the great. They performed a triple-bypass to open up his arteries (100% blockage, 80% blockage, 75% blockage). After surgery he said that just taking 10 steps was a lot of work after having his chest opened up, and now he can hear his own heart beating! He said to thank everyone for their support, and in his own words :
"you don't even know how much that means to me, you don't even know. I love you all."
Cliff is a bad ass musician, father and friend. He has coordinated countless benefits and fundraisers to those in need over the years. So I wanted to do something special for this guy that had helped so many, so I did, I thru a fundraiser to help him during his recovery.
Here's Cliff in Action...
Cliff Makaena surfing 26th St Manhattan Beach
The idea really started with a couple of people wanting to figure out how to help Cliff while having a few drinks after work. So we picked a day and started spreading the word that we would be at the Hanger Inn in manhattan beach on 3/18 from 2-6pm and we were going to round up donations for Cliff.
I call up my buddies and next thing I knew we were having a raffle and had a photographer (Don Klesges) to take some pictures that we could share with Cliff because at the time he was still too weak to attend.
Cliff in Action..
Cliff Makaena surfing Mainland Mexico
There is also a fundraiser on line so that anyone around the world can help Cliff, even a little can help go a long way. I was hoping you could help me spread the word. Thanks!
I got Cliff a gift and everyone helped contribute by signing a guitar case for his favorite fender strat. I've always wanted a Strat guitar case full of money, even if it is just to give away to my friend Cliff Makaena. This has to be the longest time in Cliff's life that he has not been able to play a guitar and I can't wait until he's back up to full speed again. This new signed guitar case will be a reminder to him that he has a world of fans!
Thanks again to everyone that helped make all this possible. Cliff is the nicest guy in the world and it feels good to help someone that has helped so many others. So if you would like to help, you still can. You can share this this page with others or donate a few bucks online to help a good guy out.
