First waves of winter surfers crash into Hale'iwa

By Derek Paiva
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

The 20th Van's Triple Crown of Surfing contests kick off this week with holding periods for the Hawaiian Pro and Roxy Pro contests. But a few North Shore businesses already are dealing with a swell of big-wave fanatics invading their 'hood.

"I haven't seen my butt in the two weeks it's been dragging four feet behind me," said Chuck Buresh, co-manager of Sunset Pizza. "We've been extremely busy. We have a good summertime business with the tourists and everything, but as soon as surf season hits ... Holy cow ... forget about it!"

How busy is the Sunset Pizza staff?

"Well, we just had the guys from the Billabong house order, like, 20 breakfast tacos," said Buresh, affecting a "this-stuff-happens-all-day" sigh.

Make no mistake, the professional boys and girls of surf are back in town. Hale'iwa Town, that is. And with 'em they've been bringing the usual international mass of amateur surfers, big-wave fans and just plain curious to O'ahu's world-renowned surf hamlet.

Surf & Sea dive manager Eric Basta has seen Hale'iwa's vibe change "instantaneously" in the past week, from a laid back locals-and-tourists mix to a decidedly international blend.

"I get everybody from the real cocky guy who thinks he's gonna ride Waimea Bay and just wants to get out there, to the real timid person who just wants to sit on the beach and look," said Basta, ticking off a list of Australian, Brazilian, South African and Japanese customers dropping by his one-stop surf and dive shop. "Once in a while, a pro will come in to pick up a leash and some wax."

A 28-year North Shore resident with two decades of experience serving Triple Crown transients, Sunset Pizza's Buresh was unfazed by his annual celebrity surf clientele. "Oh God, they come in every day," said Buresh, lackadaisically. "Back years ago, when I used to see Mark Richards and Rabbit Bartholomew, I was kind of impressed. These guys are so young now, I don't even know who they are. Now it's like 'OK, whaddaya want?' "

Business at Hale'iwa and North Shore surf shops, restaurants and merchandisers should pick up even more when Triple Crown organizers start throwing down a bunch of related events for surf- and land-based revelers. Last weekend's Van's Triple Crown Surf Fest with Pennywise and a Marley offspring? Just the beginning, promised event organizers.

Some Triple Crown events to look for in the coming weeks:

• Nov. 12-Nov. 23: Vans Hawaiian Pro & Roxy Pro Surf Events holding period, Hale'iwa Ali'i Beach Park. The first jewel of the Triple Crown.
• Nov. 22: The Roxy Pro wrap-up party & awards ceremony, 9 p.m.-2 a.m., Hawaiian Hut.
• Nov. 23: "Big Surf, Big Meets, Big Waves" display, Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach lobby. Autograph signings by pro surfers, surf-movie screenings, "Eddie Would Go" book signing and a "Surf Meets Past & Present" memorabilia display.
• Nov. 24-Dec. 7: The Men's Rip Curl Cup/Turtle Bay Resort Women's Pro holding period, Sunset Beach. The second stage of Triple Crown surf contests.
• Nov. 29: North Shore lifeguard party, 7 p.m.-midnight, Pikake Pavilion, Waimea Falls Park.
• Dec. 3: Opening ceremony of the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau, 3 p.m., Waimea Bay.
• Dec. 5-Feb. 28: Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau at Waimea Bay holding period. Competition is held when waves peak at more than 20 feet.
• Dec. 6: "Surf Night," 5-9 p.m., Sunset Beach Elementary School. A surf video showing, prize drawings and autograph signings by top pro surfers.
• Dec. 7: The XBox Gerry Lopez Pipeline Masters kick-off party, 6 p.m., Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park. Live concert featuring hip-hop heroes Naughty by Nature and a wave-pool exhibition by top pro surfers including Kelly Slater, Bruce & Andy Irons, C.J. Hobgood, Kalani Robb & Taj Burrow.
• Dec. 8 — Dec. 20: The XBox Gerry Lopez Pipeline Masters/ Women's Billabong Pro holding period, Pipeline, Maui.
• Dec. 14: Punk-On-The-Rock concert, 4 p.m., Pipeline Cafe. Live music from Bouncing Souls, Anti-Flag, Drowning Adam, 86 List, One Man Army and Extra Stout.
• Dec. 20: Official wrap-up party for the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, 9:30 p.m.-2 a.m., Hard Rock Cafe, Waikiki.