The Hidden Significance Behind The Hawaiian Makau - Fish Hook

Often regarded as a symbol for safe passage over water, the makau, or fishhook,
brings good fortune and strength to those who wear it.

Often regarded as a symbol for safe passage over water, the makau, or fishhook, brings good fortune and strength to those who wear it.

If you have been to Hawaii, it is very likely you’ve seen the makau, or fishhook. It’s also likely that you might not know the enormous cultural importance of the fish hook. A symbol of safe passage over water, the makau has held a deep cultural significance throughout the Hawaiian Island chain and the Polynesian Triangle for over a thousand years.

Thought to bring good fortune and strength to those who wear it, the makau was traditionally carved from a variety of materials, including bone, wood, stone, coral, and even turtle shells. Different variations were created to catch different species of sea creatures, and the art of their creation is something that was passed down through generations. The connection to the sea was passed along with it.

Over the years, they became something more than a common fish hook. They became prized possessions that were thought to have a spiritual life force, which you probably know as “mana.” The makau became a part of Hawaiian lore when the god Maui used one called Mānaiakalani to hook the islands together in an effort to unite them. Now, the makau is “a symbol of humans’ connection with the sea, its creatures and the fragile balance of life on the Islands.”

DANGEROUS WATERS TO RETURN IN SEASON 8 ABOARD KAWASAKI JETSKIS

 

Nearly four years ago, I penned an incredibly self-deprecating, overtly tongue-in-cheek, farcical review of the first six seasons of “Dangerous Waters.” The review itself went absurdly viral, becoming the single-most read article ever published on The Watercraft Journal and igniting a hilariously vitriolic firestorm within the comment section, dragging in cast members of the show and many of their incensed family members. Clearly, little to nobody got the joke (I blame the author).

As to be completely understood, the Covid pandemic of 2020 (scheduled to end around 2049) made international travel via personal watercraft all but an executable offense; so host, concept creator, director, producer, lead caterer and walrus wrangler Steven Moll has had ample time to prepare for the show’s eight season. In the interim, Moll continues to host adventure-seekers on abbreviated Alaskan PWC tours to considerable fanfare.

Alas, with some nations easing their travel restrictions Moll is confident that progress can pick up on filming the last leg of his global expedition. Recently, a promotional video was generated with Moll recapping the show’s decade of exploits thus far and opining towards the future aboard his Kawasaki Ultra LX JetSki. Published by our friends at Brisbane Kawasaki, please enjoy this teaser trailer for future “Dangerous Waters” episodes below.

Watch the video 

By Kevin Shaw, Watercraft Journal

First Solo Jet Ski Ride Around Australia – Record Jet Ski Ocean Adventure

The first ever solo Jet Ski ride around Australia has been completed, after covering 15,000km of coastline and setting numerous Jet Ski records along the way. Here is the amazing behind-the-scenes story. This video is not part of a promotion and is not sponsored content, so we can be honest with our coverage. Thanks for watching. Read more

Watercraft Zone is a website about Jet Skis and personal watercraft. We cover news, reviews, advice on Jet Skis and personal watercraft – on Sea-Doo, Yamaha, Kawasaki and others – and lifestyle aspects of the sport. Based in Australia, Watercraft Zone is a website to help buyers make informed decisions when choosing a Jet Ski or personal watercraft.

Top 5 Legendary Waterman

Great review of thew top waterman, sorry I did not see this earlier.

A true waterman has an innate connection with mother ocean, knowing her many moods and faces. Despite the ever changing conditions that the sea presents, the waterman is drawn to water like a moth to a flame. Often accomplished in many ocean going disciplines, the men and women who have earned this distinguished title are often surfers, sailors, divers, and craftsman.

Read More,

The Deepest Diver in the History of Free Diving Goes Below the Ice

Molchanov beneath the surface before the dive.Credit...Viktor Lyagushkin

For the past four years, Alexey Molchanov has been the undisputed best all-around free diver in the world. He broke yet another world record last week, this time beneath an icy surface.

This dive was more difficult than most. His wet suit was seven times thicker than normal, which made it more challenging to kick against the positive buoyancy found in the first 10 meters, or approximately 33 feet, of depth.

All that effort demanded he tap into his finite supply of oxygen. To keep warm, he wore a mask, something he typically avoids on deep dives, which meant he had to hold his nose between his thumb and forefinger to equalize instead of relying on a nose clip. Plus, cold water makes equalization of the sinuses, when a diver funnels air into the sinuses to keep them pressurized to prevent head pain and injuries like burst ear drums, extremely challenging.

Within 20 seconds he’d reached 20 meters (66 feet) and puffed his cheeks out to create a vacuum for the remaining air in his lungs to fill. On typical dives, he stores this “mouth-fill” and uses it to equalize without having to worry about leaks. But in water that was between 1 and 2 degrees Celsius, around 35 degrees Fahrenheit, his lips numbed quickly, and he had to clamp them shut with his fingers, his thumb and forefinger on his nose, his middle and ring fingers on his lips.

Jeff Clark: The Pioneer Mavericks Surf Company

Jeff Clark is one of the most renowned and respected big wave surfers in the world, regarded by the surf community to be a member of a small group of pioneer watermen. Jeff is best known for successfully pioneering the massive waves of Mavericks alone for years before it was discovered by the big-wave surfing community. Mavericks, located south of San Francisco, is considered to be one of the most dangerous big waves on the planet.

In 1975, as a hard-charging 17 year-old, Clark first paddled out to this monstrous wave located more than ½ mile off the coast, in his own back yard near Half Moon Bay. For 15 years, he surfed this wave alone, with only his ability and determination to find his way. The spot was, until then, known as a navigational hazard. But Clark saw a perfect wave, and from there he set a course to pursue the ocean’s energy, a living laboratory for his many interests and innovations.

Labeled one of the “world’s best big-wave riders” by Surfer magazine in 1994 and among the 100 bravest people in the U.S. by PBS, Clark has been featured in the films Riding Giants, Step Into Liquid, Adventures in Wild California, Discovering Mavericks and many other films.

A third generation carpenter, Jeff shaped his first surfboard at the age of 12. He later shaped boards specifically designed for big wave surf, and specifically for the challenging technical wave at Mavericks. He changed big wave surfing by introducing the first four-fin big wave surfboards and riding them at Mavericks. The design worked so well that others immediately followed, and the four-fin setup is now the standard for big wave surfing worldwide. Jeff Clark Surfboards^® custom stand-up paddleboard and surfboard designs incorporate Jeff’s designs to improve speed, performance and pure joy for anything from flat-water racing, downwind paddling, and surf conditions from two feet to 60 feet and all the way to spinning barrels.

Clark is also the founder of the famed Mavericks surf competition, an event that has put big wave surfing in mainstream sports and has launched the careers of surfers, photographers, water rescue teams and many others. He owns and operates the iconic Mavericks Surf Company^® and Mavericks Paddle Sports in Princeton-by-the-Sea near Half Moon Bay, with his own line of Mavericks Surf^® brand clothing and surf wear.

Clark’s knowledge of the ocean and dangerous waters has set him apart as an expert in water rescue, safety and water dynamics, leading to many achievements:

- Development of the Mavericks Water Patrol, a group of expert boat and jet ski operators trained in water rescue

- Certification by K38 Water Rescue and by Hawaiian Water Patrol Personal Water Craft (PWC) rescue

- Certification in Swift Water Rescue and service as Incident Commander at Kings River water rescue training

- Stunt and camera boat driver on open ocean set of a 20^th Century Fox film Chasing Mavericks. His skill in navigating waves and dangerous waters has provided many filmmakers and photographers the opportunity to capture on film the power and beauty of the ocean.

- Research and development of the Clark inflatable life vest for big wave surfing and extreme watersports

- Development of performance surfboard technology for which he holds a US Patent

- Design and production of hydrofoils and boards for the next generation of wave riding

Jeff supports many other organizations that help our communities, particularly in the area of health and wellness, including St. Jude’s Children's Hospital, Sonoma Children’s Charities, Schultz Foundation, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Navy Seal Foundation, Boys and Girls Club of the Coastside, Coastside Hope, Half Moon Bay high school and middle school surf clubs.

While Jeff continues to surf and perform water rescue in big wave spots around the world, he is inspired by his three children and two grandchildren. He shares his motivational life lessons with fans and audiences across the country and through all industries.

Jeff remains as stoked as a grom to paddle out in any surf anywhere from two to twenty feet. He has found his wave.

Shared from Mavericks Surf Company

The Queen's Watermen

Until the middle of the nineteenth century the Sovereign regularly travelled on the river Thames, either on State occasions or between the Royal Palaces of Windsor, Westminster, Hampton Court, Greenwich and the Tower of London.

The men who rowed the Royal Barges up and down the river Thames were known as Royal Watermen. The Sovereign today still retains 24 Royal Watermen under the command of The Queen's Bargemaster, thereby continuing one of the most ancient appointments in the Royal Household. The original number of 48 was halved by King Edward VII.

There are no State Barges still afloat today. However, the Royal Nore, which is owned and maintained by the Port of London Authority, is the official motor launch used whenever a member of the Royal Family travels on the river Thames for an official engagement.

Royal Watermen are chosen from the ranks of the Thames Watermen whose business today is manning tugs, lighters and launches, therefore earning their employment on the River. Upon their appointment, each Waterman is given a Warrant of Appointment and paid a small honorary sum per year.

Their uniform is a skirted scarlet tunic with a silver gilt Royal Cypher (plastrum) on the front and back of the jacket, breeches, navy/black cap, scarlet stockings, white shirt and black buckled shoes.

The duties of the Royal Watermen are now purely ceremonial. On the water, the Watermen escort members of the Royal Family on board the Royal Nore on the river Thames, and visiting Heads of State who arrive in London on the river, such as The King and Queen of Norway on the Royal Yacht NORGE in 2005. The Royal Watermen participated in the Silver Jubilee river progress in 1977.

On-shore duties consist of acting as boxmen on Royal carriages during State Visits, Royal weddings and Jubilees, and walking behind The King or Queen's Bargemaster at Coronations. At the State Opening of Parliament, The Queen's Bargemaster and Watermen travel on the carriages guarding the regalia when it is conveyed from Buckingham Palace to Westminster and back as a reminder of the days when it was brought by boat from the Tower of London.