Nice sunday afternoon photo session!

Had a great day today even the waves weren't that great. I met up with Cole Yamakawa this morning to talk to him since i haven't talk to him since he burned his hand. (i'll let you know more about that in a few day.)

I jumped in the water for a surf session before all the kids wake up and show up to the beach. i had a great mellow session with not many people and few kids who woke up early. ha ha.

in the afternoon, after bunch of kids showed up, i decided to jump in the the water to shoot some still photos. i gained so much weight from my Vegas trip, i thought it'll be good idea to stay active today. ha ha.

Kaito Kino has been surfing really good lately.

He just won both Jr mens and Open Mens divisions at HSA yesterday and by watching him surf there's no surprise why he did.

He was busting air reverses all over the place and like i said before, the waves weren't that good today.

Every time i take photos of EJ Mitsui, he always have his eyes CLOSED! after taking this shot, we were both laughing saying "i bet your eyes were closed." ha ha.

well, his eyes are finally open on this photo, yes!

One of my first generation kid, Alyssa Wooten. i love talking to her even more now that she is learning so much about politics and world economy. she has very similar views on stuff as i do and i didn't even have to force her. ha ha.

I think everyone know Josh Moniz surfs good. i hardly ever get photos of him because he doesn't like being the spotlight. when he sees me out with my camera, he usually paddles away to another break. Today, i MADE him stay where i was. ha ha.

Joey Johnston is one funny kid! he's always smiling doing something funny. kindda reminds me of me when i was his age.

Since it was already later in the afternoon, i told him i need to shoot the lefts. i know he wanted me to shoot the rights but he just told me "ok, that's good. i've always wanted a butt shot!" with a huge smile. well, Joey... here it is. ha ha.

Mahina Maeda can surf! i wish i was surfing like her when i was 12!!! well actually, i'd be super happy if i can surf like her now. ha ha.

Mahina being a 12 yr old. ha ha.

like i said, i wish i could surf like her.

I remember seeing Kailee Graf a while ago being pushed into waves by her mom. Now she's out there by herself catching her own waves! Not only she's catching her own waves, she's pumping to get through sections and doing some impressive turns now. i wish i was young... i've been surfing the same for years not improving at all.

This is Kailee's sister Kelly Graf. She's another kid who's been improving a lot. she got the sickest backside bottom turn to a snap on the lip. We didn't connect today so i didn't get any shots of her surfing but i got one of my all time favorite shot!

She's such a funny girl, she always come up to me making faces and making me laugh.

Rusty surf team manager Geoff Wong was out there longboarding, practicing for next week's contest at Queens, Waikiki. He just hooked me up with a wetsuit top so i felt like i had to get some shots for him even tho he's not a kid. ha ha.

It's been a while since i was surrounded by kids because i was gone for a while. Let me just say i hate kids because they get better at surfing everyday when it's taking me 5 years to learn any new moves. ha ha. nah, nah. i love kids!

Day like today make me realize how great kids are and how great it is to be around them. they are just stoked to be out there surfing with their friends. i think us grown ups got lot to learn from these little guys and girls. i think i smiled and laughed more this weekend than i have in 3 weeks.

Thanks kids!

btw, if you see kid's name highlighted, that means he/she has own blog. some of them update often and some never does (Yes you, Kaito!! ha ha) but please click and check their blogs out and show them your support!

Kaz

Novus Swell