Micah Nickens feedback on the new Shibi model

Last week I made professional surfer Micah Nickens a new Shibi model. It was a 5'11" x 19.875" x 2.375" fcs quad. Here is what he had to say:

"Rode the Shibi today at the Point... SO SICK!!! Everyone kept asking
me if they could try it. Lopez and Gangini had a crack at it and
both loved it. I finally had a session where I was killing it on
it. I don't even want to ride my other boards. Sick theory Matt!"

Thanks Micah for the feedback, I am thrilled to have hit this design spot on. So far, the feedback has been the same. All good.

Come by the shop and take one for a testride.

9'6" x 27.5" x 4" SUP test ride

This morning I went out for a 3 mile paddle on my new 9'6" sup. Hookipa was just too crowded so I decided to get some alone time at the outside Baldwin reef. After a good 20 minute paddle out, I found my own little misto peak. For an hour I played all alone, wave after wave afer wave. My new 9'6" turns like a 9'0", the wider nose really let me get into waves easier and was more stabile than my 9'6" milkman sup. After an hour, another stand up surfer came over to say 'hi', it was Ryan Atkins. We talked for a few minutes then he paddled off towards Kahului leaving me all alone again. I paddle surfed another hour, it was a beautiful morning.

I also tested a new Kailoa adjustable aluminum shaft paddle and loved it. I will write a review on that a little later.

Aloha,
Matt Kinoshita

Classic Ian Walsh photo's

I was organizing my photo's and came across these pictures of Ian Walsh on a promotional Kazuma trip to Japan, year 2001. I will keep posting pictures of interest daily.

My beautiful new 6'0" "Shibi"

This is my beautiful, new, 6'0" x 20" x 2.375" Shibi. This will be my board for 1 to 4 foot waves. I am 174 lbs. and normally ride a 6'1.5" x 18.5" x 2.31" Milkman model. I don't ride my fish as small as most people do because I really want it to be a wave catching machine. The performance is equivalent to my normal shortboard minus some response and snap but every bit as good.

I have tested the smaller fish boards but the slight performance gains you get are not worth the loss of paddling power. Catch waves = have fun. The volume of the Shibi allows me to get into the wave easier which sets up the wave for less mistakes. (read the coaching blog to understand why)

I will set this up as a quad as there doesn't seem to be any benefit to riding it as thruster. Yes I know, I have always been anti-quad but it really does ride like a thruster but much faster and tighter turning. Jumping back and forth between my Milkman and the Shibi is easy. It took me about 50 versions to get it right but now that it is dialed, I will endorse the quad.

"Shibi"

The "Shibi" is a medium sized Hawaiian Ahi. Looks just like the outline of the new "Shibi" surfboard model.

"SHIBI" no sales pitch needed

No sales pitch needed, a test ride is worth a 1000 words. Stop by the shop and grab one for a test ride and see what all the hype is about.

The shibi can easily replace your normal shortboard for everyday surfing, the performance is amazing and the paddling is superior to your shortboard. We are riding them 1-2" shorter than our normal shortboards.

Have you ever seen a fish that surfs magic in 1 to 5 ft Hawaiian surf? The Shibi can, give one a test ride and see for yourself.

Vrinda McCandless on her 9'1" Kazuma

Vrinda Graham McCandless catches the wave of the day on her 9'1" Kazuma.

My new 6'1" EPS/PU Parabolic

Here is my new EPS/PU parabolic milkman. 6'1" x 18.5" x 2.31" it will get fcs fins and probably weigh in at 5.1lbs finished. My next project is a 6'0" x 20" x 2.31" Shibi EPS/PU parabolic.

Monyca Byrne-Wickey #17 Surfer Magazine HOT 100

Kazuma Girl, Monyca Byrne-Wickey Came in at #17 on the Surfer Magazine HOT 100 list. Mini Kazuma grom, Imai Devault ranks #14 on the prestigious list.

Kazuma students who also ranked were Kai Barger #7, Granger Larson #11, Clay Marzo #6, Dusty Payne #3 and Albee Layer #52.

Matt Kinoshita caught on film riding a "FISH" 4-13-09

We now have undeniable photographic proof of Matt Kinoshita riding a fish type board at Hookipa 4-13-09. This is the "Shibi" model. Tanner Hendrickson said "Matt was Killing it." Word is that the Shibi model is the next Magic board.

Tanner Hendrickson after session critique

Tanner Chaz, Joaomarco and Stefano talk about the session at pavils.

Ian Gentill is on steroids

Proof that super grom Ian Gentill is on steroids. Chaz Kinoshita and Joao Marco Maffini Just can't compare.

Dusty Payne wins Kustom Airstrike contest and $50,000.00

Congratulations Dusty for winning the 2009 Kustom Airstrike air contest and $50,000.00. Way to bring it home to Maui.

Hawaii Junior team takes silver in the ISA World Championships

The Verizon Wireless Junior Hawaii Surf Team journeyed to Ecuador to compete and represent Hawaii as official Ambassadors of Aloha in the largest Amateur Surfing competition of its kind. The Hawaii Team placed 2nd taking home silver.
Kazuma rider Tanner Hendrickson placed 16th overall. Tanner was using his 510 x 18 x 2.125" milkman parabolic eps/pu. Congratulations Tanner on your awesome result.

New Honolulu Kazuma Dealer

Aloha everyone, I am proud to announce the addition of Go Nuts Hawaii To the Kazuma family of core dealers.
www.gonuts-hawaii.com

Go Nutz Hawaii is owned by Cesar Oliveira and is a true hard core surf shop right in Waikiki. Ceaser will be able to service all of my Honolulu or traveling Kazuma customers and offers lessons, rentals and northshore surf camps. They have a good selection of Kazuma's in stock and can have a custom order delivered to the shop in a week for your trip to Hawaii.

Call Cesar at Go Nuts Hawaii 180009263367.

Go Nutz Hawaii
159 Kaiulani Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815-3239 Phone: 1 808 926.3367
www.gonuts-hawaii.com

Joao Marco Maffini wins the 2009 Ian Walsh Menehune Mayhem

Kazuma team rider Joao Marco maffini Wins 2 divisions in the Ian Walsh 6th annual Menehune Mayhem Surf event Saturday, March 28th at Maui’s Ho’okipa Beach Park.

Joao Marco had back to back victories in the 3-4 foot Hawaiian surf. After his amazing double victories, we celebrated with the most amazing dinner at the world famous Mama's Fish House in Kuau. Great ending to a perfect day.  Thanks again to Ian Walsh for putting on such a great contest.

Shaun Ferking wins a new Kazuma surfboard

Ian Walsh awards the turtle wisperer Shaun Ferking a new Kazuma Surfboard at the Menehune Mayhem contest.  

Tanner Hendrickson is heading for the World junior championship

Watch the Hawaii Junior Surf Team video with Tanner.

Verizon Wireless Hawaii Junior Surf Team 2009 segment 2

Monica Wickey

Me picking up some magic boards before my trip to Australia and bali, thanks matt!

Rosanne Hodge, 21, South Africa

Beautiful ad in Surfer Mag this month, full page.
Rosanne is 12th on tour in 2007 and 2008, and 3rd on the WQS this year.
2009 prediction: (8-11) with her low seed, she'll begin '09 facing the top seeds. Given her 22% win ratio vs. the Top 5, that may prove fatal once again.