Hawaii trip got Sykes stoked

Salt Rock surfer Shane Sykes recently returned from his first month long surfing trip to the North Shore of Hawaii and came back with an extra dose of confidence.

Hawaii is still the ultimate testing ground for any surfer who wants to make a name for themselves and Sykes is committed to doing just that.

“I am definitely going back there at least for the next five to ten years,” said Sykes.

Sykes is doing his matric through home schooling and still managed to complete three assignments in between all the surfing sessions.

“It is exactly how you would picture it,” said Sykes.

He said the North Shore is the same as anywhere else with the spots needing some big swell before it can turn on.

“You think it is always big waves out there, but you also need swell. We expected some swell, but it never really happened. But I still had the best waves ever,” said Sykes.

Sykes recalls the best day he had was when he surfed six to eight feet waves at the infamous Sunset beach.

He stayed with fellow South African surfer Benji Brand whose parents own a house right in front of Pipeline, the surfing spot where the world’s best surfers come together.

“I got to surf Pipe about five times and we had some great waves,” said Sykes.

According to Sykes, the surfing scene in Hawaii is on a completely different level than surfing in South Africa.

“They are using better, lighter materials to shape surfboards and surfing there is such a big part of everyday life. Everyone is so committed and just wants to surf all the time. Here it feels like no one gets stoked about surfing anymore.”

But before planning his next trip to the North Shore, Sykes will be hoping to win the Quiksilver Get Free Series with events in Kommetjie, Cape Town; Umhlanga in Durban and Port Alfred in the Eastern Cape.

“I made the South African surfing team which I am really happy about so I am going to Worlds in October in California. I also want to compete in the US Open and hopefully get a wildcard slot in the Ballito Pro,” said Sykes.

With a clear idea of where he wants to be and a goal driven mind, you can expect some solid results from Sykes this year.