G' Day Mates!   Surfing is alive and well "Down Under".   We had a blast during the Australian premier of "Waikiki: Riding the Waves of Change" at The Noosa Festival of Surfing.   We were honored to be part of this week long celebration of Longboarding, Stand Up Paddleboarding, Tandem Surfing, Retro Surfing, Music, Film, and Surf Culture.   The festival drawssurfers from Hawaii, French Polynesia, Europe, Asia and the USA.  World Champions surf alongside national and international pros and amateurs across 18 divisions.  Congratulations to all the surfing competitors. Good on ya!   

Watching  Bonga, Randy Rarrick and Brian Kealana compete on the other side of the pond made us feel right at home.  Aloha was alive and well as represented by the Hawaiian contingent.  All exceptional and committed watermen/women, showing style and grace on and off the waves.  They make us proud!

Special thanks to Ken & Patricia Lucas for making all this happen and for their hospitality.  Ken has been a member of our "Waikiki Surfing Ohana" for years.  He is held in high regard as a friend, a fellow surfer and skilled ocean man.  Check out Ken's website, the titlespeaks for itself: www.paddleforpeace.com.  Patricia Lucas is a dynamite lady from the island of Rotuma (off Fiji) she quickly became our soul sister as well as our representative in Australia.  

E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   We are very grateful for their friendship, aloha and support.   

In our travels from one surf break to another we are constantly reminded of Na Keiki O Ke Kai, "We are children of the Sea", Mother Ocean brings us together.  Mahalo to all our new friends, who embraced us with open arms and supported our film.   

At the Noosa Festival of Surfing;  Sincere thanks to Garth Proud of United Sports Marketion, kudos to Katie & Georgie for including usat the Festival Village film showings. 

We were thrilled to meet the legendary surfers of Australia, Phil Jarratt, and "Rabbit" Bartholomew.  John Brazen and Malcolm Brough ofPacific Longboarder Magazine.  

Dick Hoole, Legendary surf film maker and photographer and his mate "Mexico". 

Kimmy Mackenzie, one of the first wahine professional surfers and Bevy Blewitt, an accomplished surfer as well.  Two kindred spirits we enjoyed getting to know and treasure as friends.

Scott Dillon - Legendary big wave rider & shaper. Check out Scotty's "Legends Surf Museum" in NSW.  Celebrate Scotty's 80th birthday with us, but don't be fooled he is young at heart!  

It's a date!  Duke's OceanFest at Waikiki, August 17 - 24, 2008

Pauline & Richard Murray, mahalo for the offer on your guest cottage, may we take a rain check.

Owen, Gloria (our Egyptian beauty), Peter & Diane, Big Cameron & Tish, love those toothpicks!

"Shorty", surf entrepreneur extraordinaire, Sticks & Threads  
Cafe' Le Monde - Adam Taylor & da crew, your cappuccino is da bes (our lifeline).   

 Veronica, Norm and Todd, at C4Waterman

Peter, Sista Jesse, Josh, and Zandra at Noosa Long Boards.  Mahalo for the boards! Wave ripper, Cameron Bishop at Rip Curl.  Josh, Zac, & Lauren of Solace, thanks for everything mates.

In beautiful Byron Bay: Mr. Aloha, "Sput" at Byron Bay Long Boards, Watego's Surf Co.

Damien at Ho'okupu with their awesome DVD display. 

In charming Manly Beach: Thanks to Chris Moss at Heritage Surf, to JohnRadcliff and Andrew Lye of Dripping Wet and to Mark Eymes and surf historian, Gary James at Australian Surfing Headquarters - next time we'll take you up on those surfboards. 

John Nielsen - Australian Professional Ocean Lifeguard Association. Wewere thrilled with his comments:    "Waikiki: Riding the Waves ofChange" - This is a 'must watch' for all Surfers! - You deserve an"Oscar" for relevance & informed perspective!  A work of ART & reflects great commitment and superb research.  You have captured and protected for posterity the most intuitive piece I have ever seen - these are our roots.... Thank you for enriching my Surfing life... & Heritage."  Thank you very much Johnny Boy, we'll take that Oscar!

Australia is beautiful!  Surrounded by challenging coastline, wild surf, beautiful beaches, massive cliffs and impressive rock formations, spectacular rain forests and abundant wildlife: kangaroos, koalas and wombats were our favorites - not the snakes and crocodiles.  But it was the fair dinkum Aussie's who make the greatest impression.  They are accomplished surfers and competitors with a friendly attitude for sportsmanship. They have a great respect for the Hawaiian way and a kindred spirit that embraces everyone as a friend.
We're home reminiscing...  about the friendly people from a land "Down Under".  Ken traveling along serenading us (keep your day job Kenny Boy). Tricia and Vegemite sandwiches (guess you have to acquire a tastefor it). Caroline under a big blue blankie (we had one too many in the van - she was the smallest), Judy caught in the roundabouts on the "wrong" side of the road.

We have a whole new appreciation for these lyrics and we fondly sing ...  

"We come from a land down under.  Can't you hear, can't you hear the thunder?"

We love you Australia.  Aloha... Caroline and Judy