TThey call it the Seven-Mile Miracle — a stretch of beach on
the legendary North Shore of Oahu. It is the cradle of the world’s
most renowned surf breaks and is regarded as the surf capitol of the
world by the surfing elite.
The water is alive. It boils, it warps, it spits. The water builds
into a wall, rising 15 feet, 20 feet, 30 feet, 40 feet and beyond. It
rises so high that it almost blocks the sun from view.
Then, just as it reaches the apex of its ascent, the water begins to
break. With an awesome force, the water curls its lips. Inside the
mouth of the liquid giant is a man standing on a seven-foot board,
trying to escape the clenching teeth.
It is these fabled waves that have compelled Wrightsville Beach
locals Rob Brown, 28, Mark Yonkers, 28, and Jon Mincher, 21,
to make the pilgrimage to the surfing mecca, where they return
every winter.
In late December, just days before his plane left for Hawaii,
Mincher went skateboarding with a friend. His bags weren’t packed
and there were a few last minute items he needed from the surf
shop, but he didn’t seem to be in any hurry.
The night before he left the mainland, Mincher threw all he
would need for the next three months into his duffle: a few Tshirts,
some board shorts, a rain jacket and maybe a sweatshirt for
the cool Hawaiian mornings.
His travel plans were as minimal as they were when he first made
the trip to Oahu with Brown and Yonkers five years ago. Low on
cash and high on adrenaline, they camped in a buddy’s backyard.
They set up a campsite beneath a large tent-covered deck, running
extension cords from the house to power a refrigerator and microwave.
They also had access to an outside shower and toilet. The
camp was stripped of luxuries and devoid of material distractions,
allowing the three friends to connect with the natural Hawaiian
surroundings and devote themselves to the waves that break just
across the street.
Brown says a lot of people come over to check out their campsite.
“They are kind of jealous … because it makes the experience a
lot more raw.”
For Brown, Yonkers and Mincher, everyday in Hawaii is filled
with surfing, skateboarding and an occasional diving excursion at
a reef or cave. They know that every time they paddle out another
opportunity to push their surfing to new levels awaits. Unlike
Wrightsville Beach, where ankle-biting waves are to be expected,
the waves in Oahu are world-class on a daily basis.
7
mile
miracle
Oahu
Honloulu
Niihau Kauai
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WBM march 2012
Oahu
Molokai
Lanai Maui
Kahoolawe
Hawaii Big Ilsand