Contrast Magazine

Jamie O’brien getting a flash-light lit shack at Pipeline during a Red Bull after dark event.

Coming up on September 5th at Sandy Beach will be the Red Bull Rivals Surfing Event. Town vs. Country. Both Town and Country teams will be made up based on peer voting. Voting will stay open till tomorrow at noon. To make your voice heard click here.

OAHU’S TOP SURFERS SLATED TO BATTLE HEAD-TO-HEAD IN “RED BULL RIVALS”

- Competition between Oahu’s North Shore and South Shore to take place on Sandy Beach–

WHAT: Red Bull Rivals is a one day surf event pitting Oahu’s legendary shores (North Shore and South Shore) against each other. Top Surfers from each shore will battle it out in a head-to-head surf competition for ultimate island bragging rights. To keep things fair, the event will be held on the Eastside of Oahu at Sandy Beach (Neutral Territory). No major surf event has been held at this popular surf hangout location since the Gotcha Pro back in the Early 1980s. Besides bragging rights, teams will compete for a territory advantage in next year’s competition and the losing team has to give the winning team their surfboards (similar to “racing for pink slips”).

Ten surfers for each team will be chosen by online voting and teams must include at least one female surfer and 2 groms (17 or under). A “ringer” will be allowed to be a part of each team and does not have to be disclosed until day of competition (this can be any surfer from anywhere in the world).

WHO: Twenty of Oahu’s top surfers, trying to win bragging rights for themselves and their shore. Judging will be spearheaded by KaiBorg Garcia and his panel

WHERE: Sandy Beach (Neutral Territory for competing teams) Eastside of Oahu, Hawaii

WHEN: Saturday, September 5
10:30am - 4:30pm
1pm - Halftime

The Fitted Hawai‘i Opening Ceremony celebrated the launch of their revamped Web Site and online store on a sunny Saturday afternoon on April 18, at Ala Moana Beach Park. The staff of the hat boutique wore Maile leis from Hilo, and they launched the online store went 3:00 p.m. with a release of three limited edition Hawai‘i New Eras. Dope hats, dude!

Kona winds kept the party people warm and thirsty. Red Bulls and a plastic cups were in hand. The Grill and the girlies were firing while the boys were steady repping for Fitted.

The Aloha spirit was being served heavily with the canned food drive for the Hawai‘i Food Bank. Fitted’s ‘ohana sat proudly in the shade, watching their loved ones’ dream of a 24/7 online hat boutique realized.

Jeff Peterson brought that Kiho‘alu, slack-key guitar in the beginning of the BBQ. With Tassho Pearce flowing on the mic, spitting hot fire with a bonkers “Day and Night” remix. Westafa dropped that sick dancehall reggae, bumping a Wayne Marshall “Blame It On the Weed” dub plate that had your author screaming for more. J Boog capped off the afternoon with a soulful, acoustic set with “Love Season.” Chicken skin, bule!

Through all of this good music, good times and good fun the Open Sign traveled through it all. Contrast Magazine documented the Open Sign’s schmoozing, boozing and cruising around the Opening Ceremony. Surprisingly, the Open Sign was familiar with everyone’s nicknames, but didn’t know anyone’s last names. Go figure, huh? The following are the Open Sign’s recollections of the “kick-ass” Fitted Hawai‘i barbeque.

“This girl was so pretty she put my “I” out at the Opening Ceremony.” Photo: Kema/Pai‘ea Projects

“Yea boys!” Photo: Kema/Pai‘ea Projects

“Me, Ola, his Pops and Uncle shooting the cruise, bah.” Photo: Kema/Pai‘ea Projects

“Bass looking stressed out 5-minutes before the Web Site goes live.” Photo: Kema/Pai‘ea Projects

“Future Fitted skate team rider on his grind.” Photo: Kema/Pai‘ea Projects

“The Fitted ‘Ohana celebrating a long year of work to make the Web Site happen. G’yeah!” Photo: Kema/Pai‘ea Projects

“Aloha served daily with the Hosoi double watch steez.” Photo: Kema/Pai‘ea Projects

“The ladies leading the canned food drive. I’m loving the dude to chick ratio in this picture.” Photo: Kema/Pai‘ea Projects

“Big ups to the Teecee (Tongs Controller), Buba of Vertical junkies, for cooking up the ‘ono grinds. I still got ribs stuck in my grill.” Photo: Kema/Pai‘ea Projects

“T-Wats, Juice, Red Bull Rob, Noyle and Koi Boi are having fun.” Photo: Kema/Pai‘ea Projects

“What up, groms?” Photo: Kema/Pai‘ea Projects

“Ola, J Boog, Kaboe, Bobby Filipino and the Polynesians high rolling.” Photo: Kema/Pai‘ea Projects

“Koa Boi gives Kalei his Arakawa. He should have gave me that board. Even though I’m a sign I still rip.” Photo: Kema/Pai‘ea Projects

“Dude about to buy something from the online store. Cha-ching, cha-ching.” Photo: Kema/Pai‘ea Projects

“Me, Bass and his better half trade smiles.” Photo: Kema/Pai‘ea Projects

“The King, his Queen and Princess in the shade and on the throne. Long live, Cuzzo.” Photo: Kema/Pai‘ea Projects

“Repping with Tassho Pearce and Westafa, word.” Photo: Kema/Pai‘ea Projects

“Yo, me and Under-16 World Junior Champ Keanu Asing had these Red Bull girls eating out of our palm. But, when Keanu bounced to go surf, the chicks ditched me: weak sauce.” Photo: Kema/Pai‘ea Projects

“Look at that. Dude had to carry me and the bull dog. C’mon baby girl, help out the cause.” Photo: Kema/Pai‘ea Projects

“Contrast’s Race Skelton getting all Johnny Cash and artsy.” Photo: Kema/Pai‘ea Projects

“T-Wats and I rollin’ the old-school mope through Ala Mo Beach Park, what?” Photo: Kema/Pai‘ea Projects

“The Fitted 2nd Generation and I get crunk.” Photo: Kema/Pai‘ea Projects

“Me, Ola and the 5-0 just kickin’ it.” Photo: Kema/Pai‘ea Projects

“Yep, Rawson got this sick Fitted hat for free.” Photo: Kema/Pai‘ea Projects

“I’m donating a canned good to the Hawai‘i Food Bank and I get a raffle ticket for my donation. I neva won nothin’, but I still feel good.” Photo: Kema/Pai‘ea Projects