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| 1986 World Champion Ben Severson and me at Sandy Beach during the 2011 IBA Pipe Trials. |
Back in 2011, I was offered the opportunity to work commentary for the IBA Pipeline Pro alongside my friend Manny Vargas. I jumped on that opportunity. I had so many incredible experiences during that trip, from staying at the IBA Media House and working commentary for Red Bull TV to the bodyboarding sessions and cruising North Shore zones with some of the best bodyboarders in the world! Here's a quick look back at one of those memories...
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| Uncle Warren |
My first day at the media house, I was just trying to absorb everything. I couldn't believe I was going to be staying on the beach right in front of Pipeline (next door to the Volcom House) for the next 10 days. It didn't seem quite real. I kept thinking to myself, 'No f$#%!ng way! You've gotta be F$#%!ng kidding me!!!' I kept staring at Pipeline, mesmerized, as if she were calling my name. The waves weren't that great. The sand had filled in the reef and Backdoor was actually looking better. It was of no matter to me. I couuldn't wait to hit the water. That would come soon enough.
After I had broken free of Her Majesty's siren song, I walked around the contest site with Uncle Warren. Uncle Warren is this super chill local Hawaiian who was working security for the contest. Full on aloha, this guy. While we were walking through Ehukai Beack Park checking out the banners, 1986 World Champion Ben Severson pulled into the parking lot. He had just come from Ted's Bakery with a Shoyu Chicken plate lunch in hand. He offered to split it with us, so the three of us sat down at a picnic table in the park. Ben tore the lid off of his to-go container, and divvied up the Shoyu Chicken, rice, and macaroni salad. I was loving this! Again, I was thinking to myself, 'Are you kidding me?!?' I felt like a grom! 'I'm sitting at Ehukai Beach Park with Ben frickin' Severson, and he's sharing his plate lunch with me!!!' I was all smiles. Even as a grown adult, I have moments when my inner grom starts jumping up and down, fists in the air, screaming, 'HOLY SHIT!' To top off the experience, this was the first time I had ever eaten Shoyu Chicken, and it was AMAZING!
This may not seem like much, but that moment still stands out in my mind. For me, it was something very memorable. It's not every day that I get to sit down and have lunch with one of my bodyboarding idols. Meeting Uncle Warren made a lasting impression, too. I was stoked that these two guys were willing to show so much aloha to a haole from New Jersey. Mahalo!
