Paipo-Yes, Spongers-No

Here is an interesting article in tonite's news (Honolulu): Point Panic (the ONLY designated body surfing area in the state?!) is going to have new rules: NO BOARDS (at all).
http://starbulletin.com/2001/07/18/news/index.html

I always thought this was the rule, myself ... but ... it seems the paipo riders had some exception. Interesting. I would guess it is because generally the paipo ppl are older, more mellow and quite water wise. (Never seen an out of control paipo yet!)

As a side note ... just one more hint of the wave rage going on with the summer swells.

Sus ... watched Point Panic last nite

Since the 70's I think, they outlawed surfboards from Point Panic so that bodysurfers and a small group of paipo boarders could ride it without having to jockey with surfers.

I used to frequent Panics for years, bodyboarding there and getting into all kinds of spats with some of the bodysurfers (something I'm not proud of).

Then in 1993 (I think), they put up a new sign banning surfboards and bodyboards also. I was actually in the water bodyboarding when they erected the sign. Out of respect, that was the last time I bodyboarded the spot. I even went so far as to write an article on this in the old H3O magazine, telling bodyboarders that to earn respect you have to give it by not riding there.

Guess enforcement was a big issue. Sad because only a few guys paipo the spot and they are for the most part accepted there as part of the crew.

If you want to see what all the fighting is for, check out some pics at the bottom: http://waimea.hawaiian.net/~sponge/photos/pivotal3.html

Btw, I took this shot of the sign just last month: http://www.iav.com/~sponge/images/pp_sign_b.jpg

This apparently changes everyday? I could not find anything about Point Panic.

Paipo is a handboard as in a RedWing?

Handboards are still Okay?

Panic.

It's in the column, entitled 'Battle for the Breakers.' Here's the direct link: http://starbulletin.com/2001/07/18/news/story5.html

Paipos are wooden bellyboards. In the picture below, the one on the left is a classic paipo: http://www.opihi.com/sponge/photos/images/surfmuseum/ surfmuseum_01.jpg

Looks like a paragraph is missing (it was similarly confusing in the newspaper article). I believe they are allowing handboards such as the Redwing Cleaver and the old Hand Guns.

Interestingly, hand boards are illegal at the local beach. A few years ago surfing was banned but you could bodysurf although the lifeguards hated it. However, surfing became allowed so the swimming area is shut during rare summer wave time and thus bodysurfing and handboarding is disallowed. Sponging is pretty much a felony anywhere in the Chicago area during the summer, in spite of the fact, that it would be mucho fun for the kids, etc. Chicago: working class wades and the rich class yachts...stuck in the 1800s.

OK, guess I'll have to nominate AlaMoana as a paipo board only spot! Thanks for the article, Sus. I received email yesterday that if the swell continues then the paipo board contest will be at Point Panic this weekend.

Mahalo,

Rod Rodgers

homepage: http://www.bcpl.net/~rrodgers/rodpage1.html

No, the Redwings are different than Paipos, but Redwing is sponsoring the annual contest for both events. The paipos used at Point Panic and allowed for the contest must be made of natural materials, be no longer than 55' and be skegless, in the traditional style (although many of the shapes are less than the traditional parallel lines but varied from tear drop to guitar pick shapes).

Rod Rodgers

homepage: http://www.bcpl.net/~rrodgers/rodpage1.html

On 19 Jul 2001, Gleshna wrote:

LOL, Rod ... as if! Actually, I have to tell you, I see the paipo ppl get a lot of respect from the stand ups ... and they seem to go faster!

I was down at the park late on Sat ... great waves ... must have missed the contest. Someday I will try that spot! (I have to admit, though, I still have queasy feelings every time I see a cruise ship go in on a big day. There was a hideous accident back in the '80s when one backed over a bodysurfer.)