“I wouldn’t say Pipeline is for beginners.” – Kawai Lindo
Understated. That’s how Kawai Lindo rolls. Originally from Kauai, Kawai Lindo has made a name for himself as a mainstay and standout at Pipeline over the years. Lindo has been a bit quieter than usual recently as typically he’s making noise at events like the Volcom Pipeline Pro and Da Hui Backdoor Shootout, but after recovering from an injury and starting a family, Lindo’s efforts have focused on getting healthy and being a great father.
We met up with Kawai at the Volcom house this winter and asked his advice for visiting surfers interested in tackling Pipe for the first time. He shared some intuitive thoughts: Take it slow. It took him nine years before he was qualified to consistently snag set waves from the pack. In keeping with the aloha spirit, he also suggested we clean up after ourselves. Keep Oahu and the islands beautiful.
“We want to make it better for the future,” said Kawai. “That’s the whole thing in life – to try to teach the next generation to be better than us.”
Shortly after we connected, he paddled out at Pipeline for the first time in months – bandages on his back to support his injury. Brand new board. Big smile. First session back nervousness. Within a few minutes, he spun around and pulled into a little Pipe barrel. Just like riding a bike.
Editor’s Note: This feature was made possible through the support of Primo Beer: Hawaii’s Original Beer.
