Coconut Wireless – Notes from the North Shore and Beyond

Oct.24, 2005 High Noon @ North Shore, Oahu>>

The current Pipeline Master, Jamie O’Brien is sidelined with a semi-serious laceration to his ass that currently has a hand full of staples holding his new crack shut. The injury resulted when Jamie O boosted a huge air and landed on video man Chad Permian. Chad has several staples on his face, but both are expected back in the water by next swell.

A 23 year-old bodysurfer drowned at Sunset Beach Tuesday, Oct. 18 while bodysurfing the shore break with friends between Kammieland and Sunset Beach. Just before Noon, north shore lifeguard captain Bodo Van Der Leeden said the visitor and his buddies were bodysurfing about 300 yards from the lifeguard station in waves less than head high. EMS District Chief Pat Jones said the visitor’s friends lost sight of him for a few minutes after a vigorous set of waves passed through. Finally his friends spotted him floating and brought him to shore. Van Der Leeden said the man was unconscious, not breathing and had no pulse at that time. Lifeguards administered CPR before he was transported to Kahuku Hospital by ambulance where he was pronounced dead.

Several vessels have run aground on the south side of Oahu this week, one at the famous Point Panic bodysurfing spot. The 54-foot long line fishing vessel, Two Star, who’s owner, had no insurance was packed with hooks and other dangerous materials, the locals had to start salvage on their own because the state was taking so long to hire a company, a, that the craft was breaking up threatening to further spoil the famous wave.

The sailing vessel, Misty Blue, beached near Ala Moana bowls is much less of a threat yet surfers in the area should be mindful of debris in the water.

Construction, err, reconstruction, on the famous Anahulu Bridge in downtown Haleiwa is moving right along without major delays or harm to motorist, good job. The contractor even put up surfboard signs with their name on it…That’s the spirit! The Rainbow Bridge is getting a complete face lift and will be done by end of October, if all goes according to plan.

Meanwhile, up the coast, construction of the 17 new parking stalls at Ehukai Beach Park seems to have stalled…

The Xcel Pro at Sunset is ready to rock from now till Nov.10, 2005. Got plenty of waiting period for this very important event. HASA event #4 at Ma’ili Point on da Westside should have some good surf, and then November 12-24 the WCT Men and Women invade Alii Beach for the Vans Hawaiian and Roxy Pro.

Yep, that is the Triple Crown train coming down the tracks.