Aloha! We are in Waikiki, Honolulu, O’ahu, Hawaii, USA, and are at Waikiki Beach.
Waikiki was a retreat for Hawaiian royalty in the 1800s who enjoyed surfing there on early form of longboards. Today, the waves are crowded with haole and natives, mostly riding bodyboards.
Bottoms Up!
There are people riding the waves and people under the waves.
I don’t think this fellow even got wet.
Some folks were born on a surf board, I think.
Swimming keeps you in shape, that’s for sure.
I don’t know why you’d put a tattoo on a place you can never see — but it does remind me of the old joke, “Why do cowboys put their name on their belt?”
Look out!!!
I wonder if this girl knows how close she is to getting smacked with a bodyboard.
Wipe out!
Even though the waves are small, there are some great wipe outs.
Chillin’.
Some folks ride the waves as if it should go on forever.
An oceanic bubble bath soothes the weary swimmer.
Sometimes it feels good to let the bubbly waters engulf you.
Bodyboard Near-Collision
The ocean is vast, and there is room for everyone. Still, sometimes being on the right wave at the right time means that someone else has the same idea.
Hey! Where did you come from?
What is the protocol here? Might makes right? Defer to the guy on the right? He who smelt it, dealt it?
I was here first. Back off, man.
The yellow boarder accelerates as the wave curls.
Turn! Turn!
The guy from Bolivia leans hard to the right.
Thanks, brah.
It looks like he hit the brakes just in time.
Hey, I had the right of way.
The guy in blue seems to be proclaiming his innocence in the matter.
Next time, that kid should be more careful.
The guy in red, even if he now sheds tears, should be honored for having the courage to prevent a tragic accident on the waters of Waikiki. Yeah, he’s probably related to Eddie.
Red Head in Water
We see a redheaded girl in the waters, something of a novelty here in Waikiki.
A beautiful day to be out on the water.
She is easy to find; her bright red hair stands out in the blue water.
Uh oh! A wave is coming!
Then, when a wave approaches, she becomes agitated.
No worries. If I hide, it can’t find me.
Just before the wave arrives, she puts her head on her bodyboard and holds her face underwater.
I made it! Oh, no, another one!
Is it a one-time thing? Is she just washing her face in the bubbly, warm waters?
Get your head down!
Nope. Each time a wave approaches, she puts her face to her board and pushes it underwater.
And keep it down this time. It’s safer!
Maybe it’s a Zen thing, I don’t know.
A Bolivian man enjoys the Hawaiian waters.
However, the pretty redhead seems to be enjoying herself, and that makes for a happy ending.
Spinning Bodyboard Guy
We see a fellow riding a wave, seemingly content.
But, doesn’t putting your hand in the water slow you down?
He is traveling fast, then puts his hand in the water.
Wipe out?
As he slows, he leans into it. Wiping out on purpose?
Nope. He’s spinning!
Instead, he flattens out and spins!
Weeeeeeee!
He lets the wave push him as he spins, careful to keep the board’s edges out of the water.
A perfect 360!
I didn’t even know you could do things like that. What an age we live in!
Spinning Bodyboard Girl
Then we spotted this girl. She was kicking ass and taking names on her bodyboard.
This is how the pros do it.
There’s that damn Bolivian guy again. Dude, MOVE!
Is this girl great, or what?
Her smile says it all. Why would you want to be anywhere else?