Montauk Surfing

"I've Had Too Much Fun All These Years. I Feel Really Guilty About It"

Aloha! The past weekend was a celebration in the name of Rell Sunn. The event founders, volunteers, sponsors, news media, surf contest participants and spectators will remember it for a long time to come.

Duke Kahanamoku, the father of modern day surfing, would be in tears to witness first hand what took place Saturday and to see our local and visiting kids having the time of their lives while playing nicely together in and out of the lineup.

That is what Montauk surfing is all about. Our kids!

Pure recreation spawns cheerful fellowship that remains as the key ingredient to magnify cohesiveness; the glue that will keep us together under one roof and with a single voice.

American communities throughout the heartland suffer immensely because many of us choose not to participate for one reason or another and for me, nepotism and un-passionate leadership in American politics prevent my association.

The Montauk surfing community remains as a model for the world because there are so, so many multi-talented surfers within our crew that have very little or nothing to prove in this life. Ninety percent of our populous possess uncanny leadership abilities and through surfing events such as the Annual Rell Sunn Surf Memorial Benefit, we can make a huge difference here in Montauk by coming together under a single voice.

Though we are playing nicely together, our beach is in need of a functional bicycle rack, first aid kit and updated surfing etiquette and visitor welcome signs that are key performance indicators of a weakness in our infrastructure that needs to be corrected before summer 2009. A solid infrastructure and underlying foundation will surely help to preserve our surfing community for the long haul and heal many.

In order to preserve the surfing community in Montauk, we must share it with others and with pride and Aloha.

Many Hawaiians today continue to hinder cultural preservation because too many remain self-centered and possess an unkind heart.

A handful of "local" Montauk residents blatantly choose to use juvenile style bashing techniques aimed at the Surf Lodge, its ownership, staff and surfing patrons.

Surf Lodge general manager, Summer Strauch, is the daughter of Hawaiian surfing icon Paul Strauch whom was a proud member of the prestigious Duke Kahanamoku Surfing Team during the 1960s and the hero of Mr. Pipeline, Gerry Lopez.

Summer, like Rell Sunn, was reared through Aloha and an upbringing that instructs our kids to care for the needs of others before their personal.

The Rell Sunn Surf Memorial Benefit was kicked off with words of encouragement by event co-founder Roger Feit in prayer while giving thanks to Rell Sunn, explaining why her example, wisdom and passion will carry us through the day and how it will preserve our surfing community for a long time to come.

Mahalo to all of you for your continued Aloha and support because you made so many smile all day and into the night.

We have another opportunity to share and give back to our community through the "Surfers Healing" event on Friday, September 12.

"Surfers Healing was founded by Israel and Danielle Paskowitz. Their son, Isaiah, was diagnosed with autism at age three. Like many autistic children, he often suffered from sensory overload- simple sensations could overwhelm him. The ocean was the one place where he seemed to find respite.

A former competitive surfer, Israel hit upon an idea-with Isaiah on the front of his surfboard, and Izzy steering from the back, the two spent the day surfing together. Surfing had a profound impact on Isaiah. Israel and Danielle decided they wanted to share this unique therapy with other autistic children. They began to host day camps at the beach where autistic children and their families could be exposed to a completely new experience of surfing."

To volunteer your time and/or support Surfers Healing, please email Braddah Izzy at: izzy@surfershealing.org

Quote of the Week: "I've had too much fun all these years. I really feel guilty about it."

Don Ho, Hawaiian Ambassador of Aloha
See You in the Water!
Me Ke Aloha Pumehana,
Hawaiian Ed

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