Da Hui's infamous 'Blackshorts' gang. Image: youtube
The Da Hui Backdoor Shootout is a locals only Hawaiian surf contest held each year at Pipeline on the North Shore of Oahu right when the waves are at their best. Taking place each January during the peak of the world famous Hawaiian winter swells, the Da Hui Shootout always scores and it's predominately-Hawaiian field never fails to put on a show.This year's event was won by Koa Rothman, son of Da Hui co-founder 'Fast' Eddie Rothman. During the event Koa rode what some are calling the biggest and heaviest tube ever ridden at Pipe. After sticking a terrifying drop on a triple overhead set, he backdoored a giant section over shallow lava reef that might have killed him if he fell.(See Koa Rothman's wave at 2:10)Fellow competitor Kalani Chapman was not as fortunate. The Pipeline specialist was knocked unconscious underwater while attempting a daring second-reef roll-in and had to be revived on the beach following a daring rescue effort. You can watch it unfold here.The Da Hui Backdoor Shootout is held each year to commemorate the original Duke Kahanamoku Invitational event first held in 1965 at nearby Sunset Beach. It is unique as a surfing contest because it features the full array of surfing disciplines (longboarding, stand-up paddleboarding, bodysurfing, bodyboarding, and the most popular, shortboarding) in a nod to a Hawaiian tradition that celebrates complete watermen. Any major surf company (Billabong, Quiksilver, Red Bull etc) that wants to register a team for the contest must pay a $USD10 000 dollar fee.Da Hui, also known as Hui O He'e Nalu, was formed in 1976 by local Hawaiian surfers sick of being locked out of their waves by major corporate surfing events. In response they organised mass paddle-outs during the contests to take back their waves as well as forming the militant surf gang known as the Black Shorts who would make sure local customs were followed in the water, by force if necessary.[daily_motion src='//www.dailymotion.com/embed/video/xg7bu' width='480' height='270']
The Offspring - Da Hui by Alexa1311Da Hui's reign on the North Shore has faded since its peak in the late seventies through to the 1990s. The gentrification of the area has been a major factor forcing many lower-income native Hawaiian residents into cheaper areas of the island and often onto the American mainland. Hawaii does, however, have the rare distinction of being allowed to compete under their flag instead of America's on the World Surf League World Tour, as can be seen in the form of current World Champ John John Florence who represents Hawaii (surfing's governing body also acknowledges the Basque Country instead of Spain).Each year the Da Hui turn out in force to take back the jewel of the surfing world when it's at its sparkling best. All the rest of the world can do is watch.
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The Offspring - Da Hui by Alexa1311Da Hui's reign on the North Shore has faded since its peak in the late seventies through to the 1990s. The gentrification of the area has been a major factor forcing many lower-income native Hawaiian residents into cheaper areas of the island and often onto the American mainland. Hawaii does, however, have the rare distinction of being allowed to compete under their flag instead of America's on the World Surf League World Tour, as can be seen in the form of current World Champ John John Florence who represents Hawaii (surfing's governing body also acknowledges the Basque Country instead of Spain).Each year the Da Hui turn out in force to take back the jewel of the surfing world when it's at its sparkling best. All the rest of the world can do is watch.