Hawaii world tour

As golden hour fell upon the the North Shore, ten bikini-clad women made their way down the beach toward the playful surf of Ehukai Beach Park. Led by RVCA advocate, world-traveling water photographer and Oahu native, Zak Noyle, these ladies were about to get their first lesson in water photography, using only their iPhones (and a unique protective housing created by Aquatech Imaging Solutions). Prior to reaching the beach, Zak provided instruction on how to utilize these futuristic housings and play with iPhone camera and app settings to get the most out of the device. Once their smart phones were safely secured inside their waterproof casings, and new swimwear had been selected and donned from RVCA Women’s Spring 2020 line, the group made their way toward the water. With fins in hand and a bit of bravery, the pack kicked through the foamy beachbreak and out into the lineup where, over the course of the next hour, Zak shared instruction on how to utilize camera settings like aperture and focus, as well as positioning in the surf to capture best shots. As the sun set and phone batteries began to die, the salty-haired girls made their way in from the surf and toweled off, comparing photos that they could immediately post to social media.

Huge thanks to Zak Noyle, Aquatech Imaging Solutions, DaFin, Waiola Coconut Water and Whiteclaw for supporting this event. Photos by Delon Bone

Photos by Zak Noyle

For the fourth year in a row during RVCAloha, we’ve had the honor of hosting the North Shore Lifeguard Association CPR Seminar at the RVCA Off the Wall House. A special event that was open to the public to help bring ocean safety awareness and possibly save a human’s life. RVCA Advocates were there in attendance from Surf, Sport, Artist Network Program, Women’s and Skate. A special thanks to the NSLA and the community for allowing us to host these events in their backyard. Photos by Delon Bone

The main event of RVCAloha 2019 took place Wednesday evening, December 4th and was a night to remember. The evening’s exhibition, entitled The Hammerhead Show, was a unique showcasing of artwork dedicated to Christian Hosoi, inspired by his long legacy in skateboarding and the original Hammerhead deck painted by Keith Haring for Christian back in 1986. The show featured over 60 artists from around the world, ranging from close friends of the legendary skateboarder, to those who idolized him and his iconic style from afar. Replicas of the original Hammerhead deck were provided to each artist to paint and each was hung along with an accompanying canvas, to create a one of a kind collection and art show. Proceeds from the purchase of each work will be donated to charitable causes of the artists’ and Christian’s choice.

Christian Hosoi has always been a pioneer of style and functionality combined. First revolutionizing skateboard design with his "fish" shape, then later with the unique hammerhead shape. Originally released in 1984, the Hosoi Hammerhead quickly became one of the most iconic skateboard shapes of all time and a benchmark of individuality. It was sought by nearly every skateboarder and consequently bootlegged and sold around the world by several different companies. Eventually, skull skates and Christian created ads with images of him and the hammerhead deck with the slogans, "the real hosoi" and "beware of imitations." In 2016, the Smithsonian’s national history museum of American history accepted an original Hammerhead as a historically important skateboard object. To this day the hammerhead represents not only Christian’s influential impact on the skate industry but also the unique individuals and creativity that drives our culture.

The exhibition included works by ANP Artists and friends of Christian Hosoi. A special thanks to Christian Hosoi, Pops Hosoi and their family, Pat Tenore, Mark Oblow, skateboarding, the community of Hawaii and all the artists involved in the show.

Photos by Delon Bone

Photos by John Bradford

On a balmy but breezy afternoon on the South Shore of Oahu, kids young and slightly less young flocked to Hawaii Kai park to skate and jam with the RVCA Skate team. Over the course of the next two hours, countless skaters careened around the park, attempting and sometimes landing tricks right alongside the pro’s. Periodically, any given skate rat might pause his or her run to grab a burger or ask for an autograph from Andrew Reynolds, or a photo with Curren Caples. Some just wanted to know what a professional skateboarder’s favorite kind of poké was. All in all, the event was a success and a highly interactive way to connect with the local Oahu skate community.

If you weren’t able to attend this skate jam, join us this Sunday, December 8th for a similar event at Banzai Skate Park on the North Shore of Oahu.

Photos by John Bradford

Photos by Delon Bone

The night was topped off with an energetic set by rising star and current cult favorite of the millennial masses, Dominic Fike. A teeming crowd bobbed and swayed to the young artist’s hits and provided backup vocals to his covers. The ecstatic audience received an encore without having to ask, and eventually bid the young musician adieu with deafening appreciation.

Photos by John Bradford

Photos by Delon Bone

On day four of our time on Oahu, two dozen able-bodied participants were met with sun and solid swell conditions for the first annual RVCAloha Wave Parade, presented by RVCA, DaFin and Outerknown. ANP artist Alexis Ross, along with waterman extraordinaire Mark Cunningham, led the event and shared the inspiration behind it. Alexis, a native of an urban environment, had not spent much time in the ocean during his early years, but was drawn to the art of body surfing. Mark, on the other hand, has probably clocked more water time than all of RVCAloha’s attendees combined. After both sharing their piece of appreciation for the ocean activity, as well as some water safety tips, the crew of men and women donned their cloth caps and swim fins, and made their way down the sand.

With the sun sinking low across the palms, a group of gi-clad men and women lined the perimeter of a converted garage know as Sunset Beach Jiu Jitsu academy. Kneeling in respectful silence, they awaited their sensei’s first lesson. 8-time World Champion grappler Marcus Buchecha was back on the North Shore to hold his annual seminar and share his BJJ knowledge with the locals. Over the course of the next hour, Buchecha delved into tips, techniques and highly-technical aspects of the sport, focusing on maneuvers that students had shared they wanted to learn about. Men and women of a range of ages practiced in pairs until they had a grasp on each, and would then move onto the next maneuver. Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida is arguably the most decorated ultra-heavyweight jiu jitsu athlete, and he is the only one in history to win four times in the absolute division. At only age 26, Buchecha is just getting started with a long and bright career ahead of him.

Photos by Delon Bone

Day 5 of RVCAloha kicked off with the Fukumitsu Family opening their home to the RVCA tribe for a day of Hawaiian culture and festivities. We're incredibly thankful for participating in this sacred experience and we're grateful for the memories we will have for a lifetime. Special thanks to the Fukumitsus, Rico Jimenez , and PM Tenore for their incredible hard work and love. Mahalo

Photos by John Bradford

Photos by Zak Noyle

With a clear view of bright blue swells rolling into Sunset Beach below, a dozen women gathered in yet another converted garage space resembling a professional training space, perched on a hilltop overlooking a stunning stretch of North Shore coastline. The Boar’s Nest, as it’s known, serves as just that for countless fighters, athletes, and men and women of all ages who come to it for MMA training sessions and workouts. Today’s seminar, led by North Shore lifeguard and Alliance Jiu Jitsu black belt Kyle Foyle, will focus on Muay Thai maneuvers with an emphasis on personal empowerment and self-defense. Muay Thai, literally Thai Boxing, uses stand-up striking along with various clinching techniques. This discipline is characterized by the combined use of fists, elbows, knees, and shins. Kyle takes the ladies through a warmup before delving into a few fundamentals. The RVCA Sport-clad women kick, punch and pair up over the next hour, practicing self-protection techniques before ending the session in one-on-one bouts with Kyle acting as an attacker, giving each a chance to defend themselves utilizing their newfound knowledge. As the seminar came to a close, a sense of confidence, mutual support and personal power was visible across the room. Kyle Foyle holds weekly seminars and training sessions at the Boar’s Nest on the North Shore of Oahu. Photos by Zak Noyle

As the sun began to set on the North Shore of Hawaii, the RVCA Skate team held a skate jam and BBQ cookout at Banzai Park for the final event of RVCAloha. DJ Gnaraly provided the tracks and energy to get this event underway while kids lined the fences in awe as Andrew Reynolds, Curren Caples, Kevin “Spanky” Long, Greyson Fletcher, Zach Allen, Evan Mock, Malakai Montes, Kento Takahashi, Shane Borland, Christian Hosoi and special guest Omar Hassan skated the park for the last two hours of the day. Thanks to everyone that showed up and the community of the North Shore for spreading the aloha spirit and making us feel welcome. See you all next year.

Photos by John Bradford

Photos by Delon Bone