North Shore NewsBy Noah Grodzin
Hawaiian surfing is a way of life that transcends sports by combining family, culture, and community. The North Shore of Oahu is the world’s greatest surfing arena featuring the seven-mile miracle.
Although surfing is a high school sport in the State of Hawaii the surf teams are not funded by the state as sanctioned interscholastic sports. Earlier this year House Bill 500 which would have funded surf teams as interscholastic sports was deferred by the State after unsupportive testimony by both the OIA and DOE Superintendent. Surf teams have to continue to raise their own funding and rely on donations for events, gear, training, and travel.
On May 17th at North Shore Surf Shop Haleiwa both North Shore High School surf teams from Kahuku and Waialua were recipients of a generous gift provided by the North Shore Surf Shop. Owners Liam McNamara and Luis Real donated $2500 to each program. In attendance was Kahuku Team Coach Trenton McCullough, local District 2 Council Member Matt Weyer, as well as both surf teams. After the presentation the team members were invited to go through the Surf Shop and pick out any new gear they needed; needless to say, everyone was super stoked! Then on June 8th the teams were able to raise an additional $10,000 at a car wash and bake sale also held at the Haleiwa Shop location.
The North Shore Surf Shop at Sharks Cove currently employs members of the Kahuku Surf Team and starting in January of this year became the first official sponsor of both teams.
Coach McCullough cites community support as a huge boost for the team’s confidence and self-esteem. Additional supporters of the teams are Seven Brothers, Banzai Sushi, Jorge’s, Lemuria Crystal Shop, Polynesian Adventure Tours, Jamie O’Brien Surf School Florence Marine X.
The surf season runs from November through April. Nationals were just completed in June at Dana Point California. The Kahuku team which won the Hawaii State title in 2023, sent seven surfers to compete in the 2024 Nationals event, taking seventh place overall with Nathan Senn placing 3RD in the Nation in the long board division. While on the mainland the team had the opportunity to visit the Florence Marine X headquarters as well as Madson Sunglasses where they were able to learn about the business side of surfing. The trip overall was an epic experience.
Liam himself attended both Waialua and Kahuku high school in the mid 1980’s, states his number one reason for supporting the teams is to give back and help create opportunity for the youths of the north shore and Hawaii with the hope that his efforts will trigger a “domino effect” for others to join and follow. Let’s help support these teams; these young surfers could be our future business owners, teachers, doctors, or even Olympic and world champions!
Special thanks to the McNamara Ohana, the Real Ohana, and McCullough Ohana for making it all happen!