David Nuuhiwa
Encyclopedia
David Kealohalani Nuuhiwa III (more commonly known as David Nuuhiwa) is a Hawaii
an surfer.
, but soon transitioned to larger boards. He moved to California
in 1961.
It was along the various breaks of California that David Nuuhiwa perfected the art of noseriding, often perched at the tip of his board for 20 seconds or more. Nuuhiwa's smooth and fluid style established him as the prime choice for the 1966 World Title in San Diego.
However, it was a shocking defeat when Nuuhiwa bowed out of the 6-man semifinal heat. At the time, Nuuhiwa was weakened by a bad case of stomach flu, contributing to or causing his defeat. Nuuhiwa watched from the beach as Nat Young
rode "Magic Sam", popularly referenced as the single board that ushered in the shortboard revolution.
Nuuhiwa continued to win contests following the world into the shortboard era, such as the 1971 U.S. Surfing Championships (on a tri-fin, before the Thruster was invented), but a world title still eluded him. By this time Nuuhiwa had transitioned from his longboards to shortboards, favoring twin-fin fishes. He continued to win competitions and make projects, most notably surfing in Rainbow Bridge, a film starring Jimi Hendrix
.
In 1972, Nuuhiwa found himself in a position to claim another world title, ironically, back in San Diego. But on the final day of the competition, Nuuhiwa's twin-fin fish had been stolen. It was found hanging by the Ocean Beach Pier, ruined and mutilated by a butcher knife
. It was inscribed "GOOD LUCK DAVID!" He got to the final heat on a different board, but finished second to Paul Neilsen.
Nuuhiwa soon starred in Five Summer Stories
, a surf film. He soon after he disappeared from the surfing scene for a decade.
However, he emerged from his hiatus and rose back to the top of the longboard resurgence of the 1980s and 1990s. He still rides his classic twin-fin fishes on occasion, but maintains his true love for the noserider. He now ranks among the legends as one of the most recognizable faces in surfing. When asked what he thought of the rediscovery of the longboard, he responded with one word: "FUN!"
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
an surfer.
Life
After his mother died in 1952, he lived with various relatives. Nuuhiwa competed in contests when he was as young as six. He originally became interested in Paipo boarding, an equivalent to skimboardingSkimboarding
Skimboarding . is used to glide across the water's surface. Unlike surfing, skimboarding begins on the beach by dropping the board onto the thin wash of previous waves. Skimboarders use their momentum to 'skim' out to breaking waves, which they then catch back into shore in a manner similar to...
, but soon transitioned to larger boards. He moved to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
in 1961.
It was along the various breaks of California that David Nuuhiwa perfected the art of noseriding, often perched at the tip of his board for 20 seconds or more. Nuuhiwa's smooth and fluid style established him as the prime choice for the 1966 World Title in San Diego.
However, it was a shocking defeat when Nuuhiwa bowed out of the 6-man semifinal heat. At the time, Nuuhiwa was weakened by a bad case of stomach flu, contributing to or causing his defeat. Nuuhiwa watched from the beach as Nat Young
Nat Young (surfer)
Robert Harold "Nat" Young is an Australian surfer and author.Born in Sydney, New South Wales, Young grew up in the small coastal suburb of Collaroy. In 1964, he was runner-up in the Australian junior championship at Manly, and two years later was named world surfing champion in 1966. He won the...
rode "Magic Sam", popularly referenced as the single board that ushered in the shortboard revolution.
Nuuhiwa continued to win contests following the world into the shortboard era, such as the 1971 U.S. Surfing Championships (on a tri-fin, before the Thruster was invented), but a world title still eluded him. By this time Nuuhiwa had transitioned from his longboards to shortboards, favoring twin-fin fishes. He continued to win competitions and make projects, most notably surfing in Rainbow Bridge, a film starring Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix
James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter...
.
In 1972, Nuuhiwa found himself in a position to claim another world title, ironically, back in San Diego. But on the final day of the competition, Nuuhiwa's twin-fin fish had been stolen. It was found hanging by the Ocean Beach Pier, ruined and mutilated by a butcher knife
Butcher knife
A butcher knife is a knife designed and used primarily for the butchering and/or dressing of animals.During the late 18th century to mid 1840s, the butcher knife was a key tool for mountain men. Simple, useful and cheap to produce, they were used for everything from skinning beaver, cutting food,...
. It was inscribed "GOOD LUCK DAVID!" He got to the final heat on a different board, but finished second to Paul Neilsen.
Nuuhiwa soon starred in Five Summer Stories
Five Summer Stories
Five Summer Stories is a surfing film by Jim Freeman and Greg MacGillivray starring David Nuuhiwa, Eddie Aikau, Gerry Lopez, and Sam Hawk. It was released in 1972. The soundtrack is by Honk....
, a surf film. He soon after he disappeared from the surfing scene for a decade.
However, he emerged from his hiatus and rose back to the top of the longboard resurgence of the 1980s and 1990s. He still rides his classic twin-fin fishes on occasion, but maintains his true love for the noserider. He now ranks among the legends as one of the most recognizable faces in surfing. When asked what he thought of the rediscovery of the longboard, he responded with one word: "FUN!"