Pete Thomas Outdoors

Surfer Bethany Hamilton is pregnant; baby due in June

 

By Pete Thomas/GrindTv

Life seems to keep getting better for pro surfer Bethany Hamilton, who in 2003 lost her left arm to a shark while riding waves near her home on the Hawaiian island of Kauai.

Not only was she able to keep surfing at an elite level, and become the focus of “Soul Surfer,” a feature film showcasing her inspirational story; Hamilton found her “soul mate” in Adam Dirks, a youth minister, and the two were married two years ago–10 years after the shark attack.

Bethany Hamiton photo is courtesy of Noah Hamilton Photography

On Monday, Hamilton and Dirks delivered another major announcement: “So, we have a little surprise for you,” the surfer says in the accompanying video footage: “Baby on board!”

The couple is expecting a baby boy in early June, and would not would not reveal possible names.

“Adam and I found out 5 months ago we are expecting a child!” Hamilton, who turned 25 on Sunday, wrote on her blog. “I’m happy to share this wonderful time in our lives with you! We are looking forward to becoming parents early this summer. I’ve always looked forward to one day being a mom and now that the time is coming; it is pretty nerve-racking.”

Because of her growing pregnancy–22 weeks and counting–Hamilton postponed production of a new film titled, “Surfs Like a Girl.” That project comes shortly after she and Dirks finished third in the CBS reality show, "The Amazing Race."

But so far she continues to ride waves, and recently visited big-wave spots such as Teahupoo in Tahiti, and Pipeline on Oahu’s North Shore.

A pregnant Bethany Hamilton and Adam Dirks; video screen grab“

I plan to surf as long as I can," Hamilton says. "Once the belly is pretty big maybe [I'll] just, like mellow it out and spend more time swimming and just enjoying the ocean and doing other activities.”

Hamilton and Dirks refer to this new chapter as merely another adventure, albeit one with obvious challenges, such as raising a baby with one arm.

Hamilton says she'll simply have to "adapt and adjust," as she has to various other challenges so masterfully for the past 13 years.

Dolphins join SUP paddlers in magical surf session

 

By Pete Thomas/GrindTv

Sharing waves with strangers is not any surfer’s idea of a good time, unless the strangers happen to be dolphins.

Ryan Warrington and Kyle Tatam were surfing on standup boards recently at an unnamed destination when dolphins arrived and not only rode waves with the SUP paddlers, but seemed to enjoy their human company.

The feeling, undoubtedly, was mutual.

“One of the most surreal days we’ve ever had in the water,” Warrington states in a description beneath the video, which is enhanced with a bit of "Jamaican Tea," via the New Black Shades, and takes viewers on a brief voyage through an aquamarine realm with sleek and beautiful cetaceans as escorts.

To be sure, this footage is different than the many clips circulating on the Internet, showing SUP paddlers trying to get close to whales or, more recently, paddling briefly among killer whales.

This is a case where the dolphins wanted to be with the paddlers, and vice versa, and the result was a magical session, at what looks to be a secret spot, enjoyed by both parties.

Many people are bound to be envious.

 

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Depression 'no joke'; surfer Sunny Garcia asks fans for help

Sunny Garcia image courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Maldives

By Pete Thomas/GrindTv

 Sunny Garcia was once a dominant force in pro surfing. He won the world surfing title in 2000, and before retiring from full-time competitive surfing he claimed six Triple Crown of Surfing crowns, at his home breaks on Oahu’s North Shore.

But Garcia's popularity stemmed mostly from the larger-than-life status he had achieved while on the tour. His tirades against judges became legendary. His temper often flared, and punches were occasionally thrown. Sunny Garcia, the beefy Hawaiian, was surfing’s bad boy, a powerful and colossal presence in and out of the water.

Fans loved him, despite the time he spent behind bars–three months in jail and seven months on house arrest–for failing to pay taxes on contest winnings. But today we see a different Garcia, who at 44 has mellowed, but has found himself engaged in a different kind of fight.

 

Depression is no joke waking up feeling like your ready to take on the world then a couple hours later feeling down on life and wondering what's wrong with you well I know I'm not alone and I'm not sure what's wrong with me because I have no reason to feel the way I do and it's been happening for about two years and would love to hear from any of you who suffer these feelings so I can figure out what I should do #fuckdepression #needhelp #whatswrongwithme

A photo posted by Sunny Garcia (@sunnygarcia) on Dec 12, 2014 at 8:03pm PST

On Thursday, the surfer revealed to 63,000 followers on Instagram that he’s battling depression, a mental disease that affects moods and leads to a loss of interest and an inability to enjoy even the most seemingly enjoyable aspects of life.

“I am not as strong as everyone thinks I am,” reads a statement-image along with his post, which is embedded above. In trademark fashion, the words are straight from Garcia’s heart, and sure to resonate with anyone else suffering from this darkest of disorders.

Sunny Garcia at a recent event to benefit children with cystic fibrosis; photo via Instagram

The type or level of depression afflicting Garcia–mild, moderate, or severe–is not clear. But given that he's sharing his feelings on social media and seeking advice, the demons are formidable and he should seek help beyond Instagram, if he hasn’t already.

Depression, which afflicts about 350 million people worldwide, can lead to suicide. That became evident most recently when actor Robin Williams took his life in August.

A person suffering from this illness cannot, in most cases, shake it through meditation or acupuncture... or lots more surfing, as some of his fans have suggested. (However, holistic measures can help and are worth investigating.)

Sunny Garcia (front left) and friends pay a visit to the children’s hospital; photo via Instagram

But a person can seek medical help and get back on track via antidepressants, psychosocial therapy, or psychotherapy–or a combination thereof.

It'll be up to Garcia, of course, as to what level of help he seeks.

Meanwhile the former world champ, based on his Instagram feed, has been busy surfing, visiting kids in the local children’s hospital, and teaching children suffering from other ailments how to ride waves.

Clearly, Garcia is no longer surfing’s bad boy, and hopefully he'll be back to enjoying life to the fullest in no time.

 

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Surf's up on Lake Tahoe, thanks to ferocious winds

As driving rain and powerful winds began to sweep across Northern California on Thursday morning, a few hearty souls braved the elements and went surfing.

On Lake Tahoe.

The accompanying images were captured by the Placer County Sheriff’s Office at its North Lake Tahoe Station.

While the surf may have been up, thanks to 50-mph winds, ski resort operators were hoping the temperature would drop and rain would turn to snow.

As of the time of this post, snow in the Lake Tahoe area was falling only above 7,000 feet.

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Lake Erie surfers hit the waves during N.Y. blizzard

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Lake Erie surfers hit the waves during N.Y. blizzard

 

By Pete Thomas/GrindTv

A blizzard that has buried much of western New York in snow is keeping most residents hunkered down indoors.

But two adventurous surfers saw in the stormy weather an opportunity to ride a few waves, with a guarantee of not having to deal with crowds.

Meet Kevin and Christian, who live along the shore of Lake Erie and like document their adventures around and beyond, and apparently in, Lake Erie.

Video screen grab

As the mother of all snow storms swept over Buffalo and the surrounding area, Kevin and Christian took note of conditions—26 degrees, 35-mph wind and a wind chill of 13 degrees—and donned very thick wetsuits before heading to Sunset Bay for what was presumably a very short surf session.

They looked to be having a great time, though, while so many New Yorkers were struggling to cope with the weather.

But then, Kevin and Christian are the hardy, outdoorsy types, so this should not be too surprising.

States a passage on their WNY Expeditioners Facebook page: “Every day we’re blown away by the quality and variety of experiences our land, water, and weather create. Where else can you ice climb in the morning, run whitewater at lunch, and surf at sunset all in the same day?”

Where else, indeed?

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Florida surfer, 18, bit by shark after completing SAT

Florida surfer, 18, bit by shark after completing SAT

Video screen grab

By Pete Thomas/GrindTv

Ryan Shapiro had just finished taking his SAT exam on Saturday and was hoping that a surf session at Fort Pierce Inlet, Florida, would be the perfect stress reliever.

That plan backfired, however, when a four-foot shark attacked Shapiro in waist-deep water moments after he had begun to paddle out.

“I just felt the shark completely ... just hit me so hard in the arm,” Shapiro, who is from Boca Raton, says in the accompanying WPTV video news report. “It was just so scary and so real. I was just screaming, and everyone got the idea that I got bit.”

In a WPBF report, the 18-year-old was more descriptive of the attack by what was believed to be a spinner shark hunting fish in the surf zone: “It just hit me, right there, it just hit me so hard, and I remember … the shark literally jumped on top of me.”

Shapiro was with his sister and friends, and had noticed bait fish boiling near the surface before paddling out. The shark or several sharks might have been what scared the smaller fish.

The surfer received lots of help on the beach, before being transported to Lawnwood Regional Medical Center.

Generic spinner shark image, via NMFS

He suffered damage to seven tendons in his right arm and his recovery, doctors said, would last about six weeks.

But like many surfers who survive shark bites, Shapiro vowed to go surfing again, as soon as he’s able. “I just want to go back into the water, honestly, even though the shark bit me,” he said. “Like, I had my fight with it and everything. I just want to go back and surf with my mates and everything.”

According to the Florida Museum of Natural History, spinner sharks reach about 9 feet in length. They’re highly migratory and often travel in schools. They’re fast swimmers and will sometimes leap and spin, hence their name.

Surfer attacked by shark at Vandenberg Air Force Base; third October attack since 2010

By Pete Thomas/GrindTv

A surfer was attacked Thursday at Vandenberg Air Force Base north of Santa Barbara, prompting the closure of three beaches on the military base until Sunday evening.

Details are scant but a statement posted Friday on the Vandenberg Air Force Base website states that the attack occurred a quarter-mile north of Wall Beach. It was not fatal, according to Vendenberg.

Area surfers might note that this marks the third October attack on Vandenberg Air Force Base beaches since 2010. (The public is allowed on VAFB beaches.)

The 2010 attack occurred on October 22 and claimed the life of Lucas McKain Ransom, 19, a student at the University of California at Santa Barbara. Ransom was bodyboarding with a friend at Surf Beach when he was bitten on the leg by a great white shark estimated to measure 14-plus feet.

The 2012 attack occurred on October 23 and claimed the life of Francisco Javier Solorio, 39, who was surfing with friends when he was bitten.

Solorio was helped ashore and attempts were made to revive the surfer, but paramedics arrived to find him dead at the scene.

Vandenberg Air Force Base is located in Santa Barbara County, about 130 miles north of Los Angeles.

On Friday the base posted this statement on its website homepage:

10/3/2014 - VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Surf, Wall, and Minuteman beaches are closed until Oct. 5, at 4 p.m. due to a confirmed shark attack one-quarter mile North of Wall Beach. The attack wasn't fatal. Officials at Vandenberg Air Force Base are requesting the public avoid VAFB beaches due to safety considerations until 4 p.m. Oct. 5.

It’s unclear why October seems to be a particularly dangerous month along the stretch of coast on Vandenberg property.

However, this is the time of year that adult great white sharks begin arriving along the coast after spending months offshore.

White sharks typically feed on seals and sea lions, and scientists believe that surfers who are attacked by the ambush predators are mistaken as pinnipeds.

Most attacks on surfers involve only a single bite, helping to support this theory.

Hurricane Marie sending massive surf to Southern California

Massive swells generated by Hurricane Marie off Mexico are predicted to reach Southern California beginning Tuesday.

Wave heights in some areas, notably north Orange County, are expected to exceed 20 feet on Wednesday, when the swell is expected to peak. Wave heights at the world-famous Wedge in Newport Beach could exceed 25 feet, according to a media alert issued Monday by Surfline.com.

Hurricane Marie, located about 490 miles southwest of Cabo San Lucas and churning in a northwesterly direction, reached Category 5 strength on Sunday. On Monday, Marie was at Category 4 strength, still a major storm, with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph.

Storm swell hits Baja California Sur north of Cabo San Lucas; photo via Pisces Sportfishing

Enormous swells began slamming the Pacific coast of Baja California Sur late Sunday, prompting officials to close the port at Cabo San Lucas, at Baja California's tip.

Southern California regions that will receive the largest waves, according to Surfline, include North Orange County, Southern Ventura County, and portions of North Los Angeles County.

But the swell should produce large surf at all south-facing areas.

Strong rip currents will be generated by the large surf, and coastal flooding is possible in low-lying areas during high tides on Wednesday and Thursday.

Hurricane Marie is expected to remain at hurricane strength until late Wednesday. It’s predicted to become a tropical storm by 5 a.m. Thursday, as it continues to weaken.

 –Pete Thomas

Surfer Kelly Slater photobombed by a shark? See the video

The world’s top-ranked surfers are in Western Australia participating in the Margaret River Pro.

Sharks a hot topic in the region because of a fairly recent spate of fatal attacks on surfers and swimmers, which led to a controversial government-sponsored ongoing shark cull.

 

So it’s understandable that when an odd-shaped object appeared in the face of a wave videotaped with a GoPro camera worn by Kelly Slater, some wondered whether the 11-time world champ had been photobombed by an apex predator.

We’ve attached the video and three screen grabs that basically prove only that something, or someone, was in the wave as Slater was getting barreled.

Writes Surfer magazine: “While there may be a perfectly reasonable explanation for the blob that appears at 0:17, the prevalence, and controversy, of sharks in Western Australia spreads paranoia like wildfire, prompting many to believe this is a shark photobomb of Kelly Slater’s wave at The Box.

“At first, we thought the surfer at 0:06 explained the blob, but upon further examination, there are no limbs or contrasting black wetsuit to what could be a white surfboard. What do you think the mysterious object in the face of the wave is?”

Any shark experts care to respond?

–Pete Thomas

Great white shark captured near site of Quiksilver, Roxy Pro surf contests on Australia's Gold Coast

An 11-foot great white shark was hooked and killed Wednesday on Australia’s Gold Coast, just yards from the site of the Quiksilver Pro and Roxy Pro men’s and women’s surf contests.

Jeff Krause, the government’s Shark Control Program manager, was quick to use the contest to support the controversial killing of sharks as a tool to protect water users.

“The successful removal of this dangerous shark from a popular swimming beach was particularly important given the Quiksilver Pro surfing competition currently underway at nearby Snapper Rocks,” Krause told the Courier Mail, in a story posted Friday. “It was a pretty big shark.”

The drum-line capture at Greenmount Beach was reported several hours after eight Roxy Pro surfers, including Australia’s Stephanie Gilmore, had completed the quarterfinals of the ASP World Championship Tour event.

The Quiksilver Pro was not held Wednesday, because of poor conditions, but competitor Anthony Walsh was asked about the shark by Nine Network, on the Today Show (video posted above).

“If it was going to take a person, then it’s lucky that the hook got it,” Walsh replied. “But you never know if it was going to take a person. There’s probably one swimming up and down here all day, every day, and you wouldn’t even know it.” 

Drum lines are basically large floating drums with long chains and baited hooks. Australia has used them for years.

In Queensland, which includes the Gold Coast, about a dozen white sharks are killed annually. Most of the controversy, however, was generated by what’s occurring on the opposite side of the country, in Western Australia, where an aggressive shark cull was approved in December, 2013.

That program, involving professional hunters hired by the government, was developed in the aftermath of six fatal shark attacks in a two-year span.

Conservationists and marine biologists are among its many critics. They’ve stated that a large-scale shark cull only lends a perception that waters are safer, and that sharks play a vital role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem.

The Western Australia program has already removed 67 sharks, but not a single great white, according to the Courier Mail. As part of that program, more than 300 sharks send automatic messages to Twitter when they approach within a kilometer of a popular beach. Twitter followers can then decide whether to swim or surf that day.

On the Gold Coast, ASP World Championship Tour surfers are largely unfazed by the possibility of shark sightings. Surfers and sharks for years have shared the same realm.

Said World Championship Tour spokesman Dave Prodan: "The safety and well-being of our athletes is a priority for the ASP. However, we work in and love an environment that deserves and requires a healthy, balanced ecosystem. 

"The surfers and administration understand that there are inherent risks involved every time you enter the water."

The Quiksilver Pro and Roxy Pro, as of Friday morning, were in Day 8 of a 12-day competition window.

–Pete Thomas, via GrindTv Surf

–Photos are screen grabs