Honolua

May 6, 2020 9:01 AM

The Elegance Of Honolua Blomfield (WSL): "La'akeakaihonolua Blomfield rode her first waves on a surfboard when she was only two years old. Raised on the beach at Haleiwa and in the surrounding hills, her surfing and comfort in the sea embodies her Hawaiian heritage." A short film on the two-time (Surfer) longboard world champ: Honolua (Vimeo)
posted by not_the_water (4 comments total)

I have only watched the first minute or so but found it incredibly male-gazey - a series of tight shots of her butt and crotch and boobs. Does this get better as it goes on?
posted by jacquilynne at 9:20 AM on May 6, 2020

When the film gets into the blues in the water and sky, then it is amazing. The style of this surfer is ultra feminine, the hand positions and the way they walk the board. I don't think everyone has to wear surf shorts, to ride, or full body suits. The filmmaker working for Oneil boards, did what they were paid to do, advertise athletes, clothes, the venue, the equipment. I agree I don't need to see private parts to get the experience of a sport. This athlete surfs in what looks like gymnastics wear in parts of the film. They chose the clothes for commercialization of them.

I love water the sight of it, what it does, is one of my very favorite things. So surf films with champions riding the waves especially the big waves, backlit, the giant forms the water makes, lovely, lovely, lovely. Maybe we will see this particular surfer hit the big ones, with less exploitation of their form.
posted by Oyéah at 9:47 AM on May 6, 2020

I saw the opening shot as more of a “product placement” kind of thing. But I can also see how it’s male-gazey. My apologies. Mods, can we take this down?
posted by not_the_water at 10:44 AM on May 6, 2020

Thanks, Oyéah, I went on and watched the rest based on your comments and I agree it does get better. I was not trying to argue that she shouldn't surf in a bikini, just that the framing of that in the beginning of the film was not great.

I was really interested in the parts in the middle where she is essentially hanging off the front of the board. Because of the way it disappears into the water, it sometimes looks like she isn't supported at all, just magically skimming along on her feet. It must be an amazing feeling.
posted by jacquilynne at 10:50 AM on May 6, 2020