The North Shore is known for its high concentration of pro surfers living among the civilians. But it also has a handful of long-standing surf photogs who've made a life, and a career, shooting surf on the Seven Mile Miracle.
One of them is Pete Hodgson, a former firefighter turned surf photographer who moonlights as a tropical fruit connoisseur and lives in a prime location right across from Pipeline.
In Hodgson's throwback footage below, a mix of Momentum Gen surfers and local rippers surf all-time Pipeline over 30 years ago.
Nalu TV, a YouTube channel dedicated to preserving Hawaii-based classic surf flicks, posted the video above and captioned it:
"First look at The Flipper Files, the archive of world renowned surfer, photographer, videographer, horticulturist, and all-around good guy - Pete Hodgson. Who can you spot out here on this North Shore day?
"The Momentum generation mixed in with local heavies along with traveling pros from Australia and California. A nice mix of personalities make up a typical day on the North Shore in '93. Surfing has changed over the years and in 1993 these guys were right in the middle of the transition from the 80s into the 90s and beyond."
The video's just over 10 minutes long and features an array of old-school surf legends like Todd Chesser, Shawn Briley, Derek Ho, Sunny Garcia, Cheyne Horan, Mike Stewart, Shane Dorian, Johnny Boy Gomes, The Malloy brothers, and Liam McNamara.
The trip down memory lane struck a cord with some viewers who commented:
"JBG! No one was even close in the power or speed. I watch him from the water, over and over. R.I.P. Derek, Todd, and Sunny, too."
"EPIC! Pete, a former US Champ when it really meant something, became a fireman, then moved to Hawaii and took up th media game. Known mostly for his still photos, he was an excellent filmer and is one of the best and most versatile still and video guys ever, anywhere from land or water. Stoked to see this, thanks!"
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