Fred Patacchia

“I would say 70% of Icons 2 is filmed on the North Shore. The most challenging part is having the video not seem like every other surf video made on the North Shore,” says Arinaga. “I try to incorporate different lifestyles shots as much as possible to let the viewer connect with the surfers on a more personal level.”

Arinaga’s personal friendships with his subjects, like Fred Patacchia Jr. (pictured here), allow him to give the audience an authentic glimpse into the lives of his subjects in Icons 2. Freddy P. and Lance have known each other for so long, they can’t remember the first time they met. Both respect each other’s talents equally.

“Fred’s best is yet to come. He’s definitely matured a lot and isn’t old by any means.” says Arinaga. “Fred is going to show the ropes to the younger Hawaiian guys on tour.”

This type of proclamation can only come from someone who is close to Patacchia and Arinaga is definitely one of the boys. While there is plenty of frothing and high performance surf action in Icons 2, it’s the way Arinaga exposes his subject’s personalities that displays his artistic genius. By incorporating hilarious lifestyle footage, unique still pictures, candid interviews, vivid B-roll and a colorful soundtrack that has more variety than a 96-count box of Crayola Crayons, Arinaga takes the Icons 2 audience on a visual and auditory stimulating trip into the lives of the Hawai‘i’s iconic pro surfers. He’s able to capture the true essence of his video subjects because he knows them personally as childhood friends.

The following four surfers have the longest sections in Icons 2 and have earned
their spots in North Shore lineups. They garner Arinaga’s respect for their incredible surfing, but more importantly, for the way they carry themselves out of the water.

Jamie O’Brien just lost his first heat at the International Bodyboard Association’s Turbo Pipeline Pro and he’s smiling. The current “Mr. Pipeline” caught the boogie board bug again and is laughing like a grom who just drank too much Red Bull.

JOB grew up in a house directly in front of the Banzai Pipeline with the wave literally in his backyard. This close proximity to the world’s most dangerous wave has made the regular-foot arguably the most prolific Pipe surfer alive. However, during his “grom-hood” Jamie was an avid sponger.

“I used to boogie a lot when I was younger,” admits O’Brien. “I always had fun and I used to stand-up bodyboard a lot and then I think I got too big so I started surfing a lot more.”

As a pro surfer, Jamie has won every major contest at his homebreak: in ‘08 he lockdown a Backdoor Shootout championship, in ‘04 Jamie was crowned a Pipe Master. JOB is also a two-time Pipeline Pro champ.

While Jamie has graced the winner’s circle numerous times at Pipe, he’s a first round clown at this professional boogie board event. But, he’s still visibly stoked as Arinaga shoots portraits of him during a post heat interview. Jamie gained a wildcard berth into the boog comp thanks to a recommendation from 9-Time World Bodyboard Champion and 11-Time Pipeline Pro Bodyboard Champ Mike Stewart.

Despite failing to advance out of his heat, O’Brien was still psyching on his first foray into pro bodyboarding, vowing to return to the comp next year with more practice and shooting for the final. Judging by Jamie’s jovial attitude, infectious laughter and ear-to-ear grin he’s discovered his Inner Child and it’s motivating him to boogie board again.