Spotlight Interview:

Jodi Wilmott

General Manager, World Surf League, North America, Hawaii/Tahiti
Founder, Hawaii Youth Surfing Development Organization

Jodi Wilmott, a lifelong surfer and surfing industry professional, discusses her love of the sport and its connection to Oahu and Hawaiian culture.

Photo Credit: WSL/ Heff

It was practically inevitable that Jodi Wilmott built her life around surfing. Born in South Africa, raised partially in Australia, Jodi also lived in Oahu as a youngster. In fact, one of her earliest memories is surfing on Oahu. "I first surfed on the front of my Dad's surfboard at Queen's Beach in Waikiki when I was three years old," explains Jodi.

Surfing was also the family business. Jodi's Dad was a surfboard shaper and her Mom was a surfer who was also involved in surf events. So, it's no surprise that surfing has influenced Jodi's career.

"It's a cliché, but it's true: surfing is a lifestyle, not just a sport," says Jodi. "When you're raised in a surfing family, the sport determines where you live and vacation, who you spend time with. Your life is directed by the natural elements: the wind, the waves, and daylight, the things you can't surf without. Surfing becomes the lens that you look at life through. I don't know a life without surfing; it's always been there."

Not surprisingly, Jodi, her husband, and their three sons are also avid surfers.

Today, as GM for World Surf League in North America, Hawaii, and Tahiti, Jodi oversees the direction and operations of tour events in these locations. The Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, the sport's most prestigious trio of events, comes to Oahu's North Shore every year (November 13-December 20, 2019). For pro surfers, it's the ultimate competition. For locals, it's a proud reminder of surfing's Hawaiian roots. And for visitors, it's an opportunity to see the world's best compete where the sport began.

The Vans Triple Crown defines what makes surfing on Oahu so special. In fact, Oahu showcases surf's dominance in Hawaiian culture both historically and today.

"Just start on Oahu's South Shore and visit the Duke Kahanamoku Statue in Waikiki. The great waterman and ‘Father of Modern Surfing' popularized surfing and spread the sport and spirit of aloha around the world. In Waikiki, beginners can catch their first and wave and connect with that ‘stoke' – the joy when you ride an exhilarating wave," explains Jodi.

"Over on the West Side, Hawaii's first ever international surfing contest, the Makaha International Surfing Championship, was held in 1954. Today, Buffalo's Big Board Surfing Classic, a fun surf competition held at Makaha every February, is a fantastic spectacle of enjoying the ocean. Buffalo Keaulana, the founder, started the event to share Hawaiian culture and Hawaii's gift to the world: surfing," continues Jodi.

"On the North Shore, we have the Vans Triple Crown plus the 40- to 50-foot waves you might see at Waimea Bay during the ‘Eddie' in February," continues Jodi. She is referring to the famous surf competition named in honor of Eddie Aikau, a beloved waterman and surfer who perished in 1978 while trying to save the stranded crew of the Hokulea, a traditional Hawaiian sailing canoe making its maiden voyage.

Taking a surf lesson on Oahu is a great way to connect to this legendary sport according to Jodi: "It gets you offshore and into the water. Seeing the land from the ocean is so beautiful. You feel like a first-time explorer from this unique perspective."

Jodi also recommends connecting with locals to learn about Oahu's surf culture: "The beach boys who give lessons are wonderful people with multigenerational connections to the sport."

Surfing has so many valuable lessons for today according to Jodi: "The physical principal of surfing is balance. We are living in a time when balance is very important. In Hawaii, balance is very important for our work and our life, the environment, our natural resources, a respect for our history, and hope for the future. Surfing is very much the same. You need the same balance to succeed."

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Oahu's Surf Story:

Pre-Contact to Olympic Sport

Surfing or wave sliding – hee nalu in Hawaiian – is a worldwide phenomenon, but the popular global sport originated in Hawaii and is deeply ingrained in Hawaiian heritage, history, and culture. Today, Oahu is home to the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, the sport's ultimate event where pros challenge themselves on epic North Shore waves every November and December. And every morning, many locals start their days hitting the surf before heading to work.

In ancient times, Hawaiian royal chiefs – alii – rode the waves at Waikiki, the world-famous resort where you may even take your first lesson. But surfing was not simply the sport of kings. Everyone, including women, men, and children, surfed in pre-contact Hawaii. And it's no wonder. The world's most isolated archipelago in the midst of the Pacific, Hawaii has excellent waves year-round. And ancient Hawaiians were masters of the ocean. These highly skilled watermen were outstanding canoe builders, ocean navigators, swimmers, fishermen, and of course, surfers. Surfing was more than a sport for ancient Hawaiians; it was a way of life.

In January 1778, the British explorer Captain James Cook arrived in Kauai and marveled at the ability of the Hawaiians to ride the immense waves which terrified his crew. The Hawaiians, on the other hand, viewed the ocean as their playground. But contact with the West brought big changes to Hawaii. While surfing and other Hawaiian cultural activities declined over the 19th century, the sport began its resurgence at Waikiki at the turn of the 20th century.

Duke Kahanamoku, the Oahu born, native Hawaiian, five-time Olympic swimming medalist, and championship surfer, introduced surfing and the spirit of aloha on his travels around the world starting in the early 1900s. As tourism began to blossom at Waikiki, Duke and other local "beach boys" – watermen exceptionally talented at ocean sports – shared the aloha spirit through surf lessons and outrigger canoe rides. Today, many surf outfitters carry on the legacy of these original Waikiki Beach Boys.

Oahu's contribution to the worldwide impact of surfing continues. Back in 1923, Duke Kahanamoku asked the International Olympic Committee to include surfing in the Olympics. Next year, nearly a century later, Duke's dream becomes a reality as surfing joins the roster as an official sport at the Japan Olympics in 2020. In Oahu, come experience the roots of this most Hawaiian of sports.

Catching the Wave:

Oahu Surf Schools

Learn to surf where it all began with some of Oahu's finest surf schools.

Moniz Family Surf
Taking lessons with Moniz Family Surf is a family affair with some bona fide champions. Tony Moniz, a former pro surfer, and his wife Tammy, have four sons and a daughter (Micah, Kelia, Isaiah, Joshua, and Seth) who are all professional surfers. Tony believes in excellent customer service and has high expectations for his surf instructors. All must be "watermen" and skilled in surfing, diving, canoeing, fishing, and sailing. Book your lessons with Moniz Family Surf at the Billabong flagship store near the famous statue of Duke Kahanamoku in the heart of Waikiki or at their Faith Surf Schools at Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach and Outrigger Reef.

Sunset Suzy
Head to the North Shore and learn to surf with Suzy Stewart of Sunset Suzy, a former life guard and expert surfer who has taught surfing for over 25 years. Suzy and her team will teach you to surf – or become a better surfer – on the beautiful North Shore beaches away from the crowds. While the North Shore's winter waves are made for pros or experts, Suzy gives lessons year-round at Puaena Point which has calm surf 12 months a year. Families are especially welcome, and Suzy always has several instructors for groups with children. Kids really love meeting Suzy's friendly golden retrievers, Kaya and Coco, who are on the beach with her every day.

Waikiki Beach Services
Learn to surf with the certified Waikiki Beach Boys of Waikiki Beach Services who are lifeguard and CPR trained.  Choose from two locations: The Royal Hawaiian or the Sheraton Waikiki. Daily lessons are given morning and afternoon and you can choose from one-on-one private lessons or private group lessons with up to five people per instructor. Classes are 70 minutes long and include 10 minutes of land instruction and safety briefings. You can also hire a Waikiki Beach Boy Valet and enjoy 3.5 hours of personalized surf lessons or other water activities like stand-up paddle and body boarding. Enjoy individual attention and the stories of Old Hawaii your Beach Boy will share with you.

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The Culture of Surfing:

Beyond the Waves

Experience Hawaii's unique surf culture with a one-of-a-kind program featuring living legends of the sport and an extraordinary Bishop Museum exhibit. 

Surfers in Residence Series at Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort
Imagine learning to surf and hanging out with some of today's most famous professional surfers. Guests at Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort can now enjoy these special activities during the Surfers in Residence Series, a quarterly cultural surf program. Professional surfers and their families "talk story" and then surf with interested guests. You'll hear about the pro's personal surf stories, hear big wave tales, learn surfing history, and then actually enjoy a free lesson with these icons of the sport. More seasoned riders can actually surf with the pros. The program begins in the lobby of the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort by the large outrigger canoe and display cases featuring artifacts and images dedicated to Hawaii's ocean heritage. The experience continues down at Duke's Waikiki, the hotel restaurant filled with photos and memorabilia dedicated to Duke Kahanamoku, the legendary "Father of Surfing." Finally, the tour ends with an in-water surf session. Surf icons who have participated in the Surfers in Residence Series include Paul Strauch, Jr., the Smith brothers: Alex, Koa and Travis; Tony & Tammy Moniz and family, and Tom Pohaku Stone.

Bishop Museum: Mai Kinohi Mai: Surfing In Hawaii Exhibit
Explore surfing history along with its ongoing technical and cultural developments at Bishop Museum's new exhibit Mai Kinohi Mai: Surfing in Hawaii (Dec 14, 2019-May 3, 2020). The exhibit will explore surfing as a culture, an art, a sport, and a way of life. "Mai Kinohi Mai" means "from the beginning" and the exhibit will show how surfing attained a pinnacle of cultural development in Hawaii and spread from the islands to the rest of the world. Featuring many items from the Bishop Museum collections, the exhibit will display the oldest surfboards known to exist, some owned by Hawaiian royalty, along with archival photos and manuscripts, an immersive media experience, a surfing simulator, and other interactive experiences that examine the science of surf. Included are surfboards that once belonged to historic greats of surfing such as Rell Sunn (the Queen of Makaha) and Duke Kahanamoku, who popularized the sport around the globe.

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Malama Oahu:

Voluntourism Opportunity

AccesSurf is a pioneer in the advancement of adaptive water sports, ocean recreation, and therapeutic instruction for people with disabilities throughout Hawaii and worldwide. Their flagship Day at the Beach event, held the first Sunday each month at White Plains Beach, is open to anyone with a physical or cognitive disability. Trained volunteers and specialized equipment ensure participants enjoy the happiness and freedom of a day at the beach surfing, swimming, or hanging on the sand. Vacationers to Oahu are welcome to join local volunteers on this community day and you don't need to be a surfer to do so. AccesSurf has lots of volunteer opportunities on land and in the water. New volunteers need to complete and submit a volunteer form and attend a new volunteer orientation at 8 am on the morning of the Day at the Beach event. Click here for more information.

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