The swell dropped substantially today, and with another big swell on the way for tomorrow, the Sunset contest was put on hold. That by no means meant that there weren't any heavy waves coming through in the country today. Off the Wall, Backdoor and Pipe were fucking reeling. I was on that strip of beach from sun up to sunset and I saw some good ones come through, and the boys were on it.

Parko and Dingo got some good ones at Backdoor. Kai Barger got a dredging, racey left barrel at Off the Wall that he ended with a big styley f/s air that he almost stuck. Of course, Bruce made his impression felt at Pipe/Backdoor, and Shane Dorian just about had the wave of the season so far at Backdoor, but he got clipped at the exit. Oh yeah, there was a bald guy with choke tattoos, who seemed like he was one with Off the Wall his whole sess. You know Archy was at his wave.

Between surfs Bruce was was chillin on his 3rd story balcony in the new Volcom house with Hollywood rapper, Mickey Avalon, and crew. He's here for his Hawaiian tour, I believe he has a show tomorrow night at Pipeline Cafe.

Anyway, I put my photos up today in black and white because I thought it would be a nice little change from all the bright colors. Not that there's anything wrong with with bright colors, but too much of anything gets old, ya dig.

Up top: Bruce goes for a surf. Down below: Clay Marzo comes in from a surf with no board, Bonga Perkins comes in with a broken log, and Gabe Kling goes for a surf.

Flip skateboards will now be distributed by NHS, which already distributes: Independent, Santa Cruz, Ricta, Creature, Mob Grip and Krux. Not sure what this means for Flip but one things for sure, there's synergy. Synergy between the two companies, got it. If you want to know what I'm going on about read the the quotes from the press release, they're the exact same quote until the statement is synergized, I bolded it for ya. For the rest of the press release click here.

"This move makes perfect sense for the Flip brand as well as for NHS as our new distribution partner, and we feel that there is great synergy in terms of direction and commitment between the two companies." - Jeremy Fox, CEO Flip

"This move makes perfect sense for the Flip brand as well as for NHS as our new distribution partner, and we feel that there is great synergy between the two companies both in terms of business direction and commitment to skateboarding." - Geoff Rowley

Photo below: Old mates, Geoff Rowley and Alex Moul are now new NHS associates. Alex is with Santa Cruz skateboards.

"You see that fucking Escalade! They [pro surfers] must be paid well." - One girl to another on the North Shore bike trail about Jamie O'Brien's brand new Cadillac.

If you are going to find yourself in one of the areas on this flyer, on the that date, show up ya jerk. Come meet Mr. Rowley and learn how to screen print. Then you can make your own art and wear it too.

The much anticipated 5'5" Redux premiered last last Friday night at Catalyst surf shop in San Clemente. I wasn't there, but ...Lost has informed me even Slater showed up. Yup, Kelly himself. Besides the Niner, the likes of Dino Andino, Chris Ward and daughter Malia, Kasey Curtis, John Robertson aka "Late Night Larry" aka "MORINformed's phone is broke if you've been calling about his boards," and the lovely Catalyst shop manager, Nichole (pictured above).

From what I here the movie is fucking rad, can't wait to see it. Click here to see more photos and a East Coast premier schedule.

The North side of Oahu woke up today and delivered the goods. Sunset went ricter for the contest, Pipe was sketchy at best (and that's for pros) with the way-the-fuck-out-there outside reef breaking, then reforming and and exploding for the boys. Oh yeah, and did I mention Waimea sarted to turn on, so you know how big it was.

I cruised over at Volcom house #1 where the boys, who had been putting there lives at risk all day, were letting loose. Big wave charger Ikaika Kalama was Poi Libre, the Hawaiian Mexican westler (seen above). Kalani Chapman stopped by with another giant board his Uncle Owl shaped him, this one not quit as big as the one from two years ago he got the wave of the season on. Kobe Abberton, fresh out of jail, hung out for a few and seemed to be in a very positive and good mood.

Oh yeah, and Nate Fletcher got a couple good ones, standard. Check out the photos below from L to R: way outside action, Bruce's broken stick, Kalani and Big Red, and the view from the deck.

Sunset Beach was maxed out today at the O'Neill World Cup of Surfing with 10-15 ft. mackers detonating all over the place, that's Hawaiian folks, 20-30 ft. on the mainland. I've seen this contest countless times firsthand, and today was for sure the biggest Sunset I've seen for a contest. Probably, some of the most challenging conditions seen in a competitive surfing. When Kai Borg, Ikaika, Darryl, and the boys of the Hawaiian Water Patrol weren't getting the competitors out of sketchy situations, they were zipping around left and right picking up the board caddies.

Today was also a bummer because Sunny Garcia failed to make it through his heat, thus ending any shot he had of qualifying for the WCT. Barca didn't make his heat either, but he still has a shot, let's keep our fingers crossed. Pat Gudaskas (above) had the waves of the day a 9.67.

Stay tuned for more. Photo courtesy of the ASP.

"I drink at night." - Alex Olson to a waiter offering him a Bloody Marry.

Stephanie Gilmore of the Gold Coast of Australia clinched her second ASP Women's World Title, today, by winning the Roxy Pro at Sunset Beach.

I wasn't there, I was doing some work over in the Pipe/Off the Wall area. The funny thing is, I cruised over to contest at what normally would be lunch time, for the free food the ASP provides me, and the damn thing was over. So, I went to Foodland and saw Stephanie and her friends (at the time I didn't know it was her) buying a bunch of party supplies, I was like, "Damn, where are those chicks off to?"

Then, just now, I sat down to report about her win and everything came full circle. For more info go to www.aspworldtour.com

Bruce Iron's dog, Mochi, was on the loose yesterday on the beach at Pipe, striking fear in all who were near. One look at the intimidating creator had all who were in the area running for the hills. Check out the photos below of Bruce and Mia trying to get Mochi back in the new Volcom house, and Bruce, Mia and Mochi: A happy family!