What was the biggest surf that you went out in?
Bo: We went out at Sunset and it was solid, and pretty heavy, but really fun. I took off on a set waves and got super worked. I came up and my leash had snapped. I was stuck in the impact zone having to take five sets on the head. Staring at the sets and the long swim in at the same time, my brother yelled at me to keep my cool and look in control so I wouldn’t have to be rescued by the lifeguard. If they had to come and save me from the rip current It would have been a scene with me being the star kook. I feel that I can take a beating a bit more now. (The week after returning Bo won the NSSA Northwest in Santa Cruz in grueling overhead wind biscuits with heaps of wind and a 40 mile per hour cross current)

Did anything go wrong?

Demi:Wow. I got so worked on this trip, both in and out of the water! Where to begin…lets see. I got really sick and threw up out of the rental car window, and then later that day we were surfing Logs and I was duck diving this huge set and the wave crashed right on my back, broke my brand new CI (Channel Islands) then dragged me on the reef. Then a few days later at Off The Wall I was duck diving again and I hit the reef and got a five inch ding in the tail. Here's a list of mishaps from the trip:
Lanis- Opened old buckle
Broke my phone at Pipe (dropped it in the water)
Got attacked by cat – later stepped in cat poop.
Rocky Rights: Fin hit my face and gave me a black eye
Gas Chambers: Broke board that I borrowed from Adam Lambert
Lost fin for my last board

Bo: I buckled the nose of my board and got one other ding, but they were fixed for me really quick. I only hit the reef once, but I think that Demi absorbed most of the things that went wrong for the both of us.

What did you do to prepare yourself for this trip?
Demi: First off, I found two boards that worked well for me, and bought a bunch of new bathing suits. I also worked for my sponsor Surf Happens at summer surf camps, and with beginning students in their after school programs to save up some money.

Bo: I worked out a little harder than normal, swimming and running everyday to build up my cardio and endurance. I also made sure that I had a bigger board in case the waves came up. You need to go over there physically in good shape and mentally ready to handle the conditions. I also got all of my homework from my homeschool teacher in advance, three weeks worth, and of course I searched through all 30 of my bathing suits to find the best ones.

Any tips you could give to young women like yourselves who are traveling alone?

Demi: Don’t talk to creepers, stay alert, make sure that you are organized, bring the right equipment and enough money, and have fun!

Bo: Well, we weren’t really alone first of all, which I think is really important. To go with someone, or to have a connection over there. My big brother, Drake, was with us the whole time looking after us and pushing us to go on big waves. He is 6’6 and would protect us against any creepers and in the case of a hassle.

I guess the tips I would give would be the following:
1.If possible bring a large 6’6 man who weights 230 pounds with you!
2.Always stay together in airports and don’t travel alone.
3.Don’t talk to creepers or put yourself in dangerous situations
4.Know your itineraries and allow enough time for flights
5.Know your limits and boundaries and prepare for the best and worst that could happen.
6.Bring extra cash in case of emergency
7.Bring the right equipment
8.Stick together!

What did you get out of this trip?

Demi: Lots of scars and two broken boards! Nah, this was the trip of a lifetime. I got to hang out with friends from around the world, surf with the top pros, surf big good shaped waves, and was able to build up my portfolio with new photos, and video. All in all Oahu is the sickest place to be in the winter!

Bo: I got good video and photos for my portfolio, but that was secondary to the fun and experiences I had. I was able to push my level in many different kinds of waves and gained an understanding of the waves that I will be surfing when I come back to Hawaii, and in the future as a professional. The reality of amateur contests, and even the WQS is that surfing in small meager conditions will never prepare you for swimming in through a rip current or charging big waves. Real surfing to me is when the ocean comes alive and limits are pushed.

Shout Outs:

Demi: Thanks to Chris Keet my coach, and Aaron Ernst from Surf Happens of Santa Barbara. They set us up with Erik Ipple who took photos of us and shot us for a few days. Home Boy (Drake Stanley) for chaperoning us, taking care of us, and making us surf too much, in everything! It helps to have a 6’6 vanilla gorilla as your friend!

I also want to thank my parents for helping me to pay for the trip as well as my sponsors, A-Frame Surf Shop, Surf Happens, Surf One, & Arson Art. Final thanks to Bo for taking up the whole bed, snaking me on sets, and for pushing me. Thanks Skeetsky!

Bo:
Here is my list of shout outs.
Drake Stanley my bit bro for pushing us into big waves, and chaperoning Demi and I.

My parents and team Esau’s for supporting my surfing 100% since I was 9.

Chris Keet from Surf Happens as the best surf coach and motivator.

Al Merrick for making me the best boards ever!

Roxy for hooking me up and putting me on their team one day.

To God for all of my blessings and keeping us safe

Demi for taking twelve for the team!

Erik Ipple (Nipple) for taking all of the shots of us and helping us to push our limits.