• Surfing soul • Check Kaua‘i Explorer before swimming • Wailua Bay path good for Kaua‘i Surfing soul In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the waves and Kaua‘i’s beautiful backdrops brought many of us from around the globe to
• Surfing soul • Check Kaua‘i Explorer before swimming • Wailua Bay path good for Kaua‘i
Surfing soul
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the waves and Kaua‘i’s beautiful backdrops brought many of us from around the globe to settle in Hanalei. Rick Proczka was affectionately nicknamed Waimea Rick. We all had nicknames that reflected who we were. Rick loved to charge. He would be out in tiny spring and fall waves while charging at first light and or at last light in some of the most treacherous conditions imaginable. Rick would either ride or give the best wave of a set to a friend, with the same smile, regardless.
When Rick was living at Pine Trees, he baited me to paddle out in waves that were far beyond my physical and mental abilities. Or so I thought. Yet, he inspired me on this particular new years eve to push the limits. There were just a few of us out and he encouraged me to take off and ride what is still, to this day the most memorable wave I have ever ridden at Hanalei. One that I will never forget. Thanks to Rick!
Another time when the eye of Hurricane Iwa had settled over Hanalei, he and I were tempted to paddle out for a brief surf. The air was steamy hot, the waves were perfect and the conditions were most amazing. I noticed there were no birds.. he noticed the winds were starting to blow from a different direction, and his judgment steered us clear of that go out. Within 10 minutes, Iwa’s north winds imploded houses and blew roofs to the ground. We both shared dreams of what that potential go out would have been like. Even for just a moment or two. Rick was always an eternal optimist.
Of late Rick stopped by our house with a deeper optimism. He had a Jehovah Witness glisten in his eye. Adding to the quiet gleam he had on days when we would score Rifle Range or Poko Moi with no one out. Days before leashes. Days before surf reports. Days when we had to seek and find the perfect wave. He knew the calm. He knew the Grace. He knew a Secret. And he always tried to share it with an open heart. He knew what these moments on earth were all about. I only wish I had one more moment to share with him. However his passing on Saturday Feb. 9, while surfing deep Hanalei in some of the most treacherous and yet rewarding winter waves brought him closer to where he belonged. Forever. I will miss the quiet laughter in his voice.
Andy Melamed
Hanalei
Check Kaua‘i Explorer before swimming
I have been a waterman all of my life, with 51 years of surfing and diving.
That doesn’t count unless I know how powerful rip currents here in Kaua‘i can be and get a better understanding of the power of the ocean here.
I was caught in a rip current at Polihale recently while snorkeling and flushed out to sea. I swam parallel to the beach but got pushed farther out, swam in through the 6-foot surf and got caught in the rip again which tried to send me back out to sea.
If I hadn’t been so comfortable with my water abilities, I could easily have panicked as I was getting tired.
So finally, I followed the advice of Chief Bob and looked at the websites available i.e. www.kauaiexplorer.com.
I suspect many visitors are older, like me, and don’t understand the complexities of outside reef formations like the flow out through narrow cuts while the tide is going out.
These are impossible to swim against and going over the shallow reef is not a good option either.
The KVIC channel has good safety information at the end of the Kaua‘i tour, but an explanation of how rips work, like explained on Kauai Explorer website, should be added to this informational channel.
Dennis Hart
Kekaha
Wailua Bay path good for Kaua‘i
A few folks are concerned about the ill effects of the path on Wailua Bay.
Looking at the bright side of this construction, and following much community outreach, it will not only be a source of healthy pride to Kaua‘i but a popular tourist attraction as well.
I look forward to seeing Wailua Bay being enjoyed far more frequently than it currently is once the path is in place; making it safe and accessible for all people.
With frequent use, any damages will be noticed by the users and the authorities advised ASAP.
The traffic problems on the Kapa‘a-Wailua road will eventually be solved.
This problem is under study even now and in due course we will not only have better roads but a beautiful walkway along the ocean for miles to boot.
Syd Jacobs
Kapa‘a
