Challenging the ocean when she’s at her wildest is something only a handful of people in the world can do. Now, imagine being trusted and respected enough to be called on to protect those people. The very short list gets even shorter.
This is life for Kalani Vierra, Kaleo Lopez and his brother Kaeo. They’ve been asked to come all the way from Hawaii to New Zealand, where they’re looking after the eight men competing for the title of The Ultimate Waterman. The three men, serving as water safety patrol with Auckland’s Lief Neilson, are accomplished watermen of their own from Kauai. And they may not get the same spotlight as the big wave surfers they keep safe, but you get the sense they could all just as easily have a spot in the same competition. By day the trio works for the Fire Department’s Ocean Safety Bureau. On the side they each work as Hawaiian water safety.
“Most of us in Hawaii grew up around the ocean,” says Vierra. “We grew up body surfing, surfing, diving. So becoming a lifeguard in Hawaii just makes sense when you love the ocean and you’re comfortable in the ocean.”
On The Ultimate Waterman Ambassador Titus Kinimaka’s recommendation, the three Hawaiians were hand picked for this event, even 4,000 miles away from home.
“I know they can handle all different environments and conditions, all kinds of surf heights. But we’re here just in case. It’s good to train for the worse and expect the best. It’s good to have water safety there so the guys can not worry, just perform at their best. If something ever happens they know in the back of their mind there’s a team to protect them.”
Kalani Vierra, Kaeo Lopez and Kaleo Lopez patrol the Waka Ama race course of The Ultimate Waterman competition in Aucland, New Zealand. Photo: Mike Smolowe
