Big Islanders rave over big-wave surfer

By TOM CALLIS

Tribune-Herald staff writer

Big Island surfers didn’t need Guinness World Records to tell them that Garret McNamara caught one epic wave last November in Portugal.

But the placement of one of Hawaii state’s own in the record books for riding the biggest wave ever — a 78-footer — still provides plenty reason for them to be proud.

“You got to have some blessing with you and some strength,” said Jazzmin Branlund, who was surfing at Honolii on Friday.

“You can’t be an average Joe.”

Said Shone Mandaloniz, “That was awesome. I wish it was like that here.

“There is lots of pride.”

Jesse Branco, 23, agreed.

“That was sick,” he said.

For some, the achievement by McNamara, who lives on Oahu, is a source of inspiration.

While sitting on the edge of his body board, propped up on its side, 14-year-old Jiemone Munoz looked out at the small, one- to two-foot waves at Honolii, and said it’s one of his goals to catch a wave that big.

“I’d do it for myself,” Jiemone said. “It’s a journey.”

Jazzmin Branlund’s husband, Jon Jon Branlund, said he knows McNamara personally and talked to him after he caught the record-setting wave.

“He thought he was going flat,” said Jon Jon, a surfing instructor, while standing in a surfers stance.

“But it wasn’t flat because he was going down the wave still.”

Jon Jon said there is so much fear when a surfer catches a wave that it feels like their soul wants to jump out of their body.

“I can’t imagine it,” he said.

“I don’t if I could deal with my soul jumping out of my body.”

Andrew Spengler, 67, said he doesn’t think McNamara had time to think of fear.

“It’s a lot of nothing. It (your mind) is clear. Just clear,” he said.

“You’re just focused on making it.”

Said Jay Lapinig, 50, “It’s a rush. Like a new world.”

Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.