For the first time ever, the 2009 Vans Triple Crown of Surfing events will be available live on television across Hawaii . In cooperation with the VTCS, Oceanic Time Warner Cable will broadcast all three events in their entirety, live on digital ch.250. All the features of the live webcast (narration, scores, interviews, replays, video clips, and more) will be available on the channel. If you don’t already have one, you’ll need a digital cable box to view the broadcasts, so hurry on down to your nearest Oceanic location and pick one up. First up is the Reef Hawaiian Pro on 11/12. It’s going to be sick!

The floating lane markers at Ala Moana Beach Park will be going into the lagoon within a few weeks as DLNR officials try to keep stand up paddlers and recreational swimmers separated. There’s been much contention between the groups as several collisions and near misses have further frayed tempers. Swimmers were lobbying for a total ban on SUP’s in that area, but this seems to be the happy medium … at least for now.

Is this an El Nino perk? Town regulars are commenting on the number of offseason fall and now winter SSW swells that have kept the south shore in motion. The 10/17 Southie had Big Bowl grinding and spitting for appreciative tube urchins, and another glassy overheader on 11/6 again had everyone scrambling for their boards!

Island girl and Hollywood actress Tia Carrere is slated to portray Makaha legend Rell Sunn in an upcoming full length feature film about the late matriarch of Hawaiian surfing. The script for “Wave Dancer” was researched and written by Carrere and her husband, and will begin filming in spring 2010. Sunn passed away in 1998 after a 14 year battle with cancer. Some of the film's proceeds will go to the Rell Sunn Education Fund.

Three great surf films will be included in the 2009 Hawaii International Film Festival at Dole Cannery Theatres in late October; Taylor Steele’s “The Drifter” focuses on the life and exploits of Rob Machado, “White Thunder” unveils the mad kamikaze antics of glacier bomb surfers Garrett McNamara and Kealii Mamala, and Dana Brown’s “Highwater” embeds audiences deep behind the scenes of a North Shore winter. White Thunder on the big screen should be a mind-blowing stoker! Go to www.hiff.org for tickets and show times.

The annual buzz begins on the North Shore as rental cars with surfboards stacked to the sky begin coming down Kam Hwy in clumps, and everyone scrambles for a decent place to stay. The recent big WNW swell was bookended by sporadic 2’-6’ pulses and lineups from Haleiwa to V-Land have been cleared of sand and are packed to the gills with hot surfers.

Airhorn blasts will begin to fill the air as the hectic 2009 North Shore comp itinerary kicks off with the Billabong Junior Pro on 10/6 and the Xcel Pro on 10/30, both at Sunset Beach. The Reef Hawaiian Pro at Haleiwa is next on 11/12, the O’Neill World Cup at Sunset right on its heels on 11/24, and then the Billabong Pipeline Masters on 12/8. Specialty events include bodysurfing, bodyboarding, and all-women’s events all at Pipe, along with the perennial Haleiwa International Open in December, and the North Shore Tow In Championships and The Eddie bringing an ominous and proper ending to it all. Whew!

Just when you thought it was safe to read the news, the debate over the Haleiwa shark tours has been reheated by Honolulu city council, who’re proposing a flat out ban on shark tours in Hawaii. A bill to ban them on Maui has already been passed. More >here.

If you have an opportunity, go check out the weekly North Shore Farmer’s Market. Held every Sunday from 9am to 1pm and located just off the shoulder of Kam Hwy. near Haleiwa Beach Park, the market features a huge selection of fresh produce, live music, handmade crafts, massage services, and tasty organic refreshments that are the perfect pre/post surf pump up or warm down. Lots of local surfers there sharing goods and good vibes.

A local SUP surfer was KO’d by his board after wiping out at Haleiwa on 9/23. Luckily, he came to after being submerged for a time, and was assisted to shore by other surfers. Maholo to those who took the time to help in the water and on the beach to make sure he was OK.

Take a drive out to the North Shore for a paddle or a swim and pop in to the surf shops up there. While the mad winter circus is out of town and things are slow, there's lots of sick deals on surfboards, surf accessories, and apparel. Support the local merchants and get geared up for the 2009 winter season while the prices are right!

Save Turtle Bay with a click. You can now demand that the LUC hold its next meeting in the Ko'olauloa/North Shore area and voice your concern over the project via internet. Link over here.

Is the water you’re surfing filled with poop and other fun things? The Hawaii Department of Health has a new research tool to help you find out. Viewer discretion is advised.

LOST AND FOUND - Did you lose your board or gear? Submit date, time place and 5 word description and we'll post it in Local Knowledge.

Found: quigg qaud fish found in ala moana area. Call to identify Darrick@dd-sea.com (808)285-4738.

Lost: My 5'5" Haut quad fish with blue Haut logo was taken from beside my car at three mile. this board has sentimental value as well as being a great board. PLEASE return it if you have it. REWARD for anyone who has information about it or the board itself. please let me know if you know anything

Lost: g & s bodyboard, blue at hapuna beach kohala coast big island. call 831-239-2269

Have some local news or events? Email the editor. Our friends at Phix Doctor are mailing FREE Disposable Ding Repair Kits to all US residents. All you pay is $1.95 S&H. Go to www.phixdoctor.com to order yours today. Every year Puerto Escondido gets ready for the "Fiestas de Noviembre". These festivities have the goal of promoting local traditions and tourism in the area. Among these activities we have the traditional "Surf Contest". Link to SurfWire for photos and words on the Zicatela Pro.