THE LEFT LANE
Battling the blues

Advertiser Staff and News Services

Yes, it's a bit cloying and predictable. But Grieve's photos are likely to move all but the most cynical heart. This is the sort of little gift you can slip into the hands of someone going through a bad patch, secure in the knowledge that, at the very least, they'll get a fleeting smile from the kangaroo trying to scratch an unscratchable place or the polar bears embracing in the snow.

Many films and exhibits have looked at big-wave riders and the towers of water they seek to ride. But a new exhibit, opening Friday at The Exhibit Space, 1132 Bishop St., turns the spotlight on the boards ridden by these surfers, and on trail-blazing board shapers. "Nalu: Forty Years of Big Wave Boards" is designed to convey the power, speed and thrill of the sport though an examination of the deceptively simple equipment that made it possible.

The boards in the exhibit date from big-wave riding's inception in the mid-20th century to the tow-in boards of the '80s, including prototypes and one-of-a-kind designs from private collections. Co-curator David Behlke said the show will be annotated so even the novice will be able to see how the boards changed from the old "point-and-shoot longboards" to today's more maneuverable short boards. The opening reception is 2:30-4 p.m. Friday; hours thereafter are 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays, through Sept. 6.

The teen mag YM calls them "alo-hot boys" — hometown guys elevated to heartthrob status in shirtless photo spreads in this month's edition of Your Magazine. The Punahou boys' paddling team makes a splash in a three-page feature that spotlights 18-year-olds Kapono Brown (pictured), Robby Sumpf, Eric Bingham and Ben Hughes, and 17-year-old Cutter Rolles.

The magazine says "for more studs in the water, go to ym.com and click on 'boys.' " A photo gallery there includes shots of 17-year-olds Kyle Morgan and Kevin Shimmon and 18-year-olds Scott Bright and Will Foster. For at least one of them, the photo shoot was a second chance to gain a following of lovestruck girls. Rolles also appeared in YM's June edition.

Correction: A reception at The Exhibit Space for "Nalu: Forty Years of Big Wave Boards" will be held from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Friday. An incorrect date was given in a previous version of this story.