One of the stories that changed Kalani’s life and made him passionate about surfing in his own words:
“I was going to Sunset Beach Elementary, which is across the street from Pipeline. I was by the fence, overlooking Ehukai Beach Park. Pancho Sullivan saw me and told me that my brother was just paddling out to the Pipeline contest right then. I ended up jumping the fence and went to watch my brother surf his heat. I remember walking up the path and seeing Shawn drop in so deep into this giant pipe barrel. Nobody thought that he would make it out of that barrel, but he did, got a perfect 10, and the whole beach exploded with excitement and applause. He came out of the water and was disappointed in me for leaving school but I was glad I got to see that and then he took me back to class.”
Kalani’s brother is named Shawn Briley has been surfing professionally for decades. He even won the 1995 Tavarua Tube classic and has competed in many other competitions like Pipeline Masters and Eddie Aikau at Waimea. Shawn has been on the cover of every major surfing magazine for his no fear approach and willingness to do some unorthodox things in the water. He’s known as the pipe legend and for good reason. No one tears up the water like Shawn Briley.
Kalani and Shawn’s uncle is a surf legend named Owl Chapman. He is one of the legendary surfers who helped start the short board revolution and has gone on to compete in Pipeline Masters, Eddie Aikau at Waimea, and in the Duke contest. He helped heavily in the influence of the short boards that we use all over Hawaii for the speed and power of the winter waves. Some say that we might not have shortboards today if it weren’t for Owl Chapman.
Come learn from the best of the best with our surf lessons on Oahu here at the North Shore Beach Boyz. We want to help you learn all of our expert secrets to surfing. Give us a call (808)462-6116 , send us a message, or book a lesson today.
