Weddings, kids, a house, a new job (in Toronto)… Life gets complicated so, when one evening a couple months back myself and three long time buddies got to talking Hawaii, an amazing thing happened. We followed through.

We’ve all been there, around a table. Beers. Someone says, ‘we never hang out anymore… we should take a trip… lets just get outta here,’ and everyone agrees but when it comes to actually pulling free of commitments – jobs, families, planning a wedding – the weight of reality sets. ‘No I can’t… I’ve got this thing,’ or ‘I can’t afford it right now.’ Good reasons. Responsible choices. But this time, the seeds to a bona fide bro trip were planted and within a few short weeks, the stars aligned, vacation days were cashed in, spouses and partners… placated, tickets purchased and accommodations booked. Seven nights, eight days surfing Waikiki. Friends, brothers even, marking a milestone in our lives with a trip. Doing something we all love. Surfing… and looking at girls. No better place than Waikiki.

We grew up surfing together in the frigid, often angry waters of Tofino and the Pacific Northwest… trips to Oregon and Washington punctuated our post-secondary careers with summers spent planning the next foray. Ski in the winter, surf in the spring and summer… we’ve been to some beautiful (and still my favourite) places to share waves and good times, but never had we hopped a plane together. Never was there a better time than now.

Joe is getting married in July. Rob just sold his first house – a fixer-upper-flipper. Jake just got a big promotion and moved his family – two young girls, a live in nanny and full-time wife/working-mom from Pemberton to Vancouver… boxes still unpacked. I just got a new job. A real, full-time career that has taken me to Toronto – where I’m writing this – far from the ocean and mountains I’ve always thought of as home.

This little trip to the islands was more than a simple getaway. It was four friends deciding to mark a turning point.

So, until the next one… here’s to friends! Same time next year?

Ala-Moana-harbour Beach-creep beach-side-boards bird-flipper bird-tosser crab Duke-Kahanamoku-statue end-of-my-leash Evan-and-Jake-at-Sunset-Beach fingerlings fireworks-2-up-2 fireworks-2-up hey-fun-boys Jake-surfing-Waikiki me-down-the-line-at-Waikiki oahu_0961_mini peanut-gallery Sand-reflection-Sunset-Beach sets-rolling-in Sunset-Beach-Ev-and-Joe Sunset-Beach-jumper Sunset-Beach-jumpers Sunset-Beach-rock-jumpers surf-stoke the-boys-off-Chinamans-Hat Waikiki-board-shot Waikiki-breakwall waikiki-diamond-head-pano Waikiki-Jays Waikiki-layers Waikiki-me Waikiki-sponger Waikiki-surf-babe Waikiki-surf-honey-2-up Waikiki yours-truly

 
And a little obligatory GoPro vid action from the lineup at Waikiki. Thanks to Jake for the edits!

And another from a snorkel adventure to one of my favourite spots on the North Shore:

And finally, the whole whack of photos from the trip up on Flickr:

Spring is upon us here on the coast and while there is still plenty of good skiing ahead, the deep days of winter are alas, behind us. Which means its time to post this year’s ski season-pictorial. A winters worth is a gallery of some of my favourites from the 2010/11 ski season.

What makes these photos my faves isn’t necessarily their technical merit or composition. It didn’t have to be an action shot or even a burly line – although there are few I’d put in those categories as well – rather, the shots in this gallery are the ones that carry the strongest emotional impact for me. Memories of good times with good friends in special places.

For the first year in my skiing life, I spent more days (way more as it turns out) walking up than riding lifts. If we’re counting, the total number of runs skied would be far south of my annual average but quality-wise, there is no comparison. Thats not to say I didn’t have good days this season with the aid of mechanized up-hill transport. Along with being my biggest backcountry year, 2011 also marked my first days heliskiing. Here is where you can see those shots from RK Heli. But, while awesome in its own right, touring for your turns is its own kinda magic. You can talk about the snow, the lack of others tracks, the stunning beauty and solitude of the mountains free of resorts and lifts… the satisfaction of earning one’s turns and looking down on a line just a few thigh-burning hours prior you had spotted from a distance, sleeping in a warm hut that comparatively few people know about… freezing in a tent with your dog because said hut is packed with families (how rad will those kids be in a couple years)! It all adds up but really, its the experiences you have with the people you’re with that sticks.

These shots are reminders of good times and I hope, inspiration to get out – whatever season it is – and get after it. Our minds get crowded and its easy to get caught up in the distractions of life but, if nothing else, I hope these shots remind you, me and whomever else may stumble upon them that there is a big wild world out there… and you don’t need a lift ticket to ski it.

Baker-square blockus-heads Cayoosh-boot-pack-2-up Cayoosh-shoulder-2-up Cayoosh-sub-summit Cayoosh summit Cayoosh_0001 Cayoosh_0022 Cayoosh_0030 Cayoosh_0070 Duf_0002 Duf_0009 Duf_0010 Duf_0014 Duf_0016 Duf_0064_bw Duf_0082 Duf_0138 Good-Morning heli-pownding Lookout-pano-mini our-tracks skinners-2-up steep_0001 steep_0015 steep_0041 steep_0042 steep_0052 steep_0071 steep_0072 steep_0091 steep_0101 steep_0102 steep_0113_bw steep_0115 steep_0144 steep_0164 sterling-pre-ski-2-up textured-2-up WB_0014_bw WB_0103 WB_0144_2 WB_0146_2

For more ski photos from B.C., (including some fine pics of yours truly) check out my buddy Sterling’s blog. He’s the guy in like all of my ski shots, BTW!

We had been talking about heading out on a photo mission up Highway 99 (better known as the road to Whistler than a skateboarding destination) for years. The stars finally aligned this March and we headed for the hills! Our team on this day trip was Pat (AKA the talent), his girlfriend Tamara – also a budding longboarder – visiting from Switzerland, me and the dog piled into our mutual friend Sterling’s fun mobile and off we went.

Our mission was to scout some lines around the coastal hamlet of Britannia Beach and of course to get some photos. The shots were for Pat’s newest sponsor, Patagonia so we were looking for dramatic vistas and some gnarly corners that would showcase Pat freeriding in his new duds.

More details to come… but for now, here is a selection from our day!

-E

Pat-corner-2-up Pat-lefthander-2up Pat-pendulum-3-up Pat-powerslide-2-up Pat-right-hander-2-2-up Pat-right-hander-2-up Pat-right-hander-crouch-2up Pat-right-hander-shades-2-up Pat-snowslide-2-up Pat-Sterl-lefthander-2-up Pat-sundown-2-up Pat-Tamara-2-up Pat-VAL-2-up Pat_0072_2 Downhill Pat Pat_0115 Pat_0142_2_bw Pat_0143 Pat_0149 Pat_0156 Pat_0161 Pat_0168 Pat_0169 Pat_0171_2 Pat_0174 Pat_0176 Pat_0181 Pat_0198 Pat_0218 Pat_0220 Pat_0221 Pat_0224 Pat_0240 Pat_0241 Pat_0250 Pat_0253_2 Pat_0257 Pat_0259 Pat_0265 Pat_0267 Pat_0278 Pat_0293 Pat_0295 Pat_0301 Pat_0323_8x10 Pat_0328 Pat_0356 Pat_0385 Pat_0395

Just got back from an amazing trip to Kaui. Still getting used to this freakishly bitter cold we’re having in Vancouver. Flew into Seattle on a red-eye Monday, only to be greeted by an uncharacteristically frigid minus 8 and blowing snow! Needless to say, the 35 degree difference between that and the balmy t-shift-slash-no-shirt weather of the Garden Isle was a shock to the system. I’m re-living the magic (and easing back into life on the mainland) through these photos though… plus, editing vacation pictures is a nice way to slip back into the groove after 10 days of minimal computer use. Got to retrain the fingers, ya know!

This trip was our second adventure to Hawaii together, although Robyn and I had been a few times respectively as kids. I’ve always held a special place in my heart for the ‘islands’ ever since I can remember seeing my first Honu (aka Green Sea Turtle) as a youngster, snorkeling with my mum and dad. I’m sure I’m not alone there. Hawaii really is a jewel and it was so good to be back there and in warm water!

There are lots of reasons why this trip was great. It just seemed to be one of those experiences where all the pieces just fell into place. First off, our crew was awesome. A nice mix of new and old friends (thanks guys)! Five of us in total, plus we rendezvoused with a couple other friends who just happened to be in Hanalei at the same time. Talk about small world! Oh, and our accommodation was killer. Stayed in Princeville, just up the road from Hanalei Bay. Totally my new favourite spot. Check out the listing here.

On a sad note, our trip just happened to coincide with the memorial paddle-out for Hanalei hometown hero, Andy Irons. The 32 year old three-time world champion surfer passed away tragically November 2 after withdrawing from a competition in Puerto Rico, complaining of illness reportedly linked to a bout with dengue fever. The husband and soon to be father was en-route back home to Kaui when he passed in a Dallas Texas hotel room.

It was a humbling, yet uplifting experiencing being amidst the thousands who turned out for the spreading of his ashes in his home waters of Hanalei Bay. The pro surfer was laid to rest by his mother, wife and well over a thousand friends and fellow-surfers during a tradition paddle-out in the bay. I snapped a few photos of the event. They can be seen on my Flickr stream or, on the SBC Surf blog.

I could go on for paragraphs, but its late! Time to let the photos do the talking. More TK, plus some fun GoPro surf video from our sessions surfing in Hanalei.

Enjoy-

PS – the photos are in no particular order, as usual. Will add captions shortly!

Anini_Beach_fish-market_bruddahs Anini_Beach_fish-market_bruddahs_2 Anini_Beach_moon_Robyn Anini_Beach_Robyn Anini_Beach_sun-down_dancer_pose Anini_Beach_sun-down_dancer_pose_2 Anini_Beach_sunset Anini_Beach_sunset_girls Anini_Beach_sunset_girls_2 Anini_Beach_sunset_girls_3 Anini_Beach_sunset_pose-down Anini_Beach_tough_guys bamboo_is_crazy bamboo_is_crazy_bw bark board_rash death_watch_sign fern_texture First_Beach_Sterl_stones Frigate_Bird_Kilauea Hanakapaiai_Falls_3-up Hanakapiai_Falls Hanalei_Bay_pano_2-up Hideaways_pano Hideaways_Sterl Hideaways_tree_2-up hike_flowers Jane jungle_surfer jungle_surfer_bw Kaui_0042 Kaui_0051 Kaui_0056 kaui_0486 Kaui_fish-market_sunset_girls Kaui_fish-market_sunset_girls_2 Kaui_fish-market_sunset_portraits Kaui_fish-market_sunset_portraits_2 Kaui_fish-marketers Kee_Beach_Sterl_2-up Kilauea_Lighthouse Kilauea_Point_Lighthouse_2-up Kilauea_Point_Lighthouse_Frigate_Bird_2-up Lanai_lighting Lanai_lightning_2 lanai_tamzin Lanai_Tara Lanai_telescope Lani_ladies_Hideaways_beach_panos leaf leaf_holers loungers mini_golf mini_golfers Morning_Dove_Kaui NaPali_4-up Napali_falls_pano NaPali_hikers NaPali_jungle_Robyn NaPali_ladies NaPali_peaks NaPali_Peaks_2 NaPali_peaks_first_glimpse NaPali_River_pano NaPali_Sterl NaPali_Sterl_2-up NaPali_Sterling NaPali_streamcrossing_2-up NaPali_sundowner NaPali_sundowner_2 NaPali_sunset NaPali_sunset_shaka NaPali_trail_2-up_panos Ono-Ono_Shave_Ice_Kaui Ono-Ono_Shave_Ice_Kaui_2-up plumeria_photographer rabbit_ears readers Robyn Robyn_Ono-Ono_Shave_Ice Robyn_Sterling_Ono-Ono_Shave_Ice Robyns_feet rockstar_robyn shaka snokel_Sterl Snorkel_Ev snorkel_sterl toad toad_2 Turkey_sandwiches_Waimea_Canyon villa12_moonlight_palm waimea_canyon_hangout Waimea_Canyon_lookout_sign Waimea_Canyon_photo_bombs Waimea_Canyon_toughguys Waimeia_portraits walk_through_the_jungle waterfall_fowl waterfall_pano

So, I took a little break from editing wedding photos to… edit some vacation photos. Earlier in August we headed down the coast and across the line on a little Pacific Northwest surf adventure. Final destination, La Push, Washington.

It was my second trip out there and the surf proved to be reliable and fun. But like any trip, the destination was just, in this case, where the surf was. The memories (and most of the photos) are of the journey… which happens to go right past one of my favourite (or should I say, favorite, we’re in ‘Merica’ after all) micro brews – Port Townsend Brewery .

There you can grab a growler for around $14, which when compared to what we’d spend in Canuck-bucks for that much beer back home is a wicked good deal. $5 for the growler and you can bring it back for refills! Get the Scotch Ale. Make that two… its cold out on the peninsula.

Fogust and Everything After

Funny thing about the coastal zones of the Pacific Northwest is, in the summer it can be smoking hot and sunny inland, but a couple miles from the shoreline dense sea fog makes August feel like October. Despite the fact it was 25 degrees plus at home in Vancouver, we were all glad for our down clothing out in La Push. The temperature, along with some prior yoga commitments kept sun-loving Robyn at home with the dog, which had the upside of not introducing Tanah to the other dogs living on the res. Not to mention the other wayward surf dogs combing the beach while their owners swap the Seattle grind for the brine of the Pacific down at First Beach – the most popular surf spot in these parts and our home base for 3 nights.

Well, its getting late and I should get those wedding shots done! I’ll let the photos do the rest of the talking. Checkout the gallery and videos after the jump!

Keystone-ferry-crossing-pano-pulp-mill Keystone-ferry-pano La-Push-first-beach-campers-Emily La-Push-first-beach-campers-Ev La-Push-first-beach-campers-log-yoga La-Push-first-beach-campers-Lou-and-Robin La-Push-first-beach-campers La-Push-first-beach-surf-4-up La-Push-MSR-tent La-Push-Port-Townsend-Brewery-2-up La-Push-second-beach-bottle-juggler La-Push-second-beach-footprints La-Push-second-beach-group-walkers La-Push-second-beach-hike-crazy-eyes-Robin La-Push-second-beach-hike-plant-guy La-Push-second-beach-I-heart-Robyn La-Push-second-beach-miniture-friends La-Push-second-beach-nose-blower La-Push-second-beach-Patagonia-Boaris La-Push-second-beach-portrait-Shane La-Push-second-beach-sitter La-Push-second-beach-tide-pool-2 La-Push-second-beach-tidepool-2-up La-Push-second-beach-two-up La-Push-second-beach-view La-Push-second-beach-walkers La-Push-second-beach-waterman-2-up La-Push-Tsunami-two-up La-Push-view-to-first-beach Port-Townsend-Brewery-Beer-drinkers Port-Townsend-Brewery-Shane Port-Townsend-ferry-car-deck Port-Townsend-ferry-Lou Port-Townsend-ferry-packed-car Port-Townsend-ferry-Robin Port-Townsend-ferry-sunset-parking-lot-volleyball Port-Townsend-Pano Port-Townsend-Wage-Peace-protestor Whidbey-Island-Caroline Whidbey-Island-roadside-eat-this-ring La-Push-first-beach-surf

La Push – a rinse cycle from Evan Mitsui on Vimeo.

My life underwater. Not my finest wave, but a fun little test run on the GoPro HD Surf.
More (better) rides to come!

La Push – surfing first beach from Evan Mitsui on Vimeo.

Another little GoPro HD clip from a small day at first beach, La Push, Washington State.

Just got back from a fantastic five days in Tofino and Hotsprings Cove. We’ve been surfing around Tofino and Ucluelet pretty religiously for the past ten years, but had never made the trip up the coast to Hotsprings Cove, until now! It was fantastic, to say the least. Saw five grey whales and a sea otter on the boat ride up with Ocean Outfitters.

The whales were awesome but spotting an otter was a real treat as it shows the little guys are on the rebound after a century of heavy hunting. A keystone species, it was explained to us by our boat captain, the otters are the lynch pin to the coast ecosystem of Clayoquot Sound. Without them, the urchin population goes unchecked, devastating the kelp forests from which pretty well all other species in the Sound depend, from the starfish right up to the whales, salmon and us!

Hotsprings Cove is a really magical, sacred place. We got a rare private session in after the last of the tour boats departed, leaving Robyn and I, along with two other couples staying with us on The InnChanter alone in the springs. Orange sun fading over the horizon, stars high in the sky and a sliver of a moon skirting low along the treeline, combined with 102 degree water = mucho relaxation!

Backup just a sec. The boat we stayed on, the Inn Chanter is run by two awesome dudes, Shaun and Cam. With nearly 20 years of experience living and operating their B+B from the cove, the newly-wed pair (congrats boys!) made for the best guides…  and the food was pretty rad too! Fresh lingcod day one, halibut day two… crabs in the trap… can’t wait to go back!

This trip was a bit of a departure from the usual hectic-by-comparision quest for surf that normally charcterizes our Tofino missions. While the first two nights were spent in a house on Chesterman Beach, which was awesome in its own right, the days up at Hotspring, kayaking, lounging around, eating and soaking it up in the springs was a real treat. Who knew vacations could be relaxing!

more tk. Photos after the jump.