kako

kako
kako

Friday, October 24, 2014

Fall Swell

After a bit of a lull last week, the waves are back up. Throw the swell together with the warm autumn sun, and this has been a great couple of days of classic Hokkaido fall surf. It's supposed to continue into the weekend as well. I took the day off and surfed two and half hours at Gyokyo, check it out....

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Post Typhoon 19

Typhoon 19 turned out be a non-event up here in Hokkaido. The way it tracked over the main islands meant we didn't get the epic waves we hoped for. It was fun though, especially this morning, with sunny weather and shoulder to head high sets rolling through. Once again, I had an hour and half by myself at Kako this morning, then stopped and snapped a few more pics on the way home in evening. Another beautiful day in Hokkaido...


 

Monday, October 13, 2014

New longboard

Just in the midst of finishing off a few projects before winter arrives. Below is a longboard deck I just finished. My son came back from Canada a few months back with a plastic penny skateboard, and I just had to put the hardware to better use. So here it is, epoxy tint over pine and mahogany over a 10 ply glue up. Looks much better than the plastic and rides nice and smooth.


Saturday, October 11, 2014

Typhoon 19 update

This, undoubtedly, is the most amazing typhoon picture I have ever seen. The eye is 25 miles across. The astronauts who took the picture said they have never seen anything like it. Just incredible...hang in there Japan.

Last one for 2014

Just finished up my last board for 2014. The short, fat and flat single fin (6x23x3.25). As the weather cooled off over the last couple of weeks I had a bit of trouble with curing of the top coat, especially on the deck, with it drying pretty lumpy. I've got to remember that in Hokkaido fiberglassing isn't a good idea in October in an unheated shed. Anyways, it's done and I can't wait to give it a go. The waves should pick up with the approaching typhoon. I'll report back how it went. Here's some pics:





Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Typhoon 19 (Vongfong)

The Most Powerful Storm on Earth This Year Is Heading for Japan

Wow, looks like things are about to get pretty wild here in Japan. If the model is correct, Tokyo will get slammed pretty hard, then it will spin back off into the Pacific and skirt past Hokkaido. Should make for an interesting week. Hope everyone stays safe.


Monday, October 6, 2014

Typhoon 18 and USU

Typhoon 18 has wreaked havok in southern Japan, our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone recovering from the devastation.

As fall typhoons often do, Typhoon 18 spun off towards Alaska last night, leaving Hokkaido with only sunny skies and groundswell. As I pulled up to Usu Point this morning and watched the waves pour into the bay, John Severson's 1960 caption from a photo of Hammonds rung like a bell:

"In this crowded world, the surfer can still seek and find the perfect day, the perfect wave, and be alone with the surf and his thoughts."

Indeed.




Saturday, October 4, 2014

Update: glassing

A great week of waves this week, and it looks like it's picking back up again with Typhoon 18. Nothing finer than surfing in Hokkaido in the fall.
I got the 6' Chop Tail glassed, now I just need to install the vent and leash plug, sand and clearcoat it, and I'm good as golden (Molson Golden...sorry I couldn't resist). Can't wait to try this little board out. Here's some pics from today:
Top
Bottom (pika pika ne)