07/10/2008
Surfer in Hot Water Near Kilauea
Yesterday, the Daily Mail published these photos of professional surfer CJ Kahuna getting a close-up look at the Kilauea lava flow as it descended into the ocean:
"Tentative at first, the adrenalin-junkie paddled to within 20ft of the lava, before moving back from water that reached 200C in places, melting the wax on his surfboard and burning his feet in the process."
Not sure when the photos of Kahuna were taken, but Kilauea has been in the news recently as its activity has increased dramatically. Photographers over the weekend captured a 100-foot spout at the coast (pictured here) and vulcanologists (I love that word) say they haven't seen anything like it.
One more shot of Kahuna, AFTER THE JUMP...
Posted 8:28 AM EST by Andy Towle in Hawaii, News, Surfing, Volcanoes | Permalink
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I had the pleasure of chartering a small plane and flying over this active volcano a few years back to photograph the eruption while on vacation. I was lucky enough to have a absolutely crazy pilot who, lets say was much more willing to go to extremes to get the shot then I was. Ha! It was quite a interesting and exciting experience to have under ones belt. Its one thing to see something like this on tv or in a educational video in science class but up close its really phenomenal what the earth can do.
So if your in Hawaii and its safe I recommended it.
Posted by: IDNY | Jul 10, 2008 8:44:40 AM
Yes, I too have witnessed up close how Hawaii it is truly a work in process; it is nature showing uncensored pics of its savage beauty.
Posted by: Charles | Jul 10, 2008 8:51:26 AM
Dude's got balls, or maybe no brains!
Posted by: Jeff | Jul 10, 2008 9:32:45 AM
standing on a surfboard, in boiling scalding hot water, in an area of ocean churning and crashing near jagged rock, and so close to toxic fumes at the whim of wind's direction... altho the pics are gorge one might say the guy is not as gnarly as he is stupid.
it could be from past experiences that he's actually cracked in the head.
Posted by: HangTen | Jul 10, 2008 9:39:22 AM
Is that his real name? What's his nickname, then, "Big"?
Posted by: Kevinvt | Jul 10, 2008 9:47:48 AM
that is way past daring and well into stupid, imho.
Posted by: jack | Jul 10, 2008 11:01:52 AM
Dumbass, party of 1, your table is now available.
Posted by: Brad Morris | Jul 10, 2008 12:29:05 PM
as hangten noted, those plumes of white gas aren't just steam. they're toxic, acidic gas. this guy's an idiot.
Posted by: anthony in sf | Jul 10, 2008 12:57:43 PM
as hangten noted, those plumes of white gas aren't just steam. they're toxic, acidic gas. this guy's an idiot.
Posted by: anthony in sf | Jul 10, 2008 12:58:44 PM
Darwin Awards 2009 here we come!
Posted by: kitchenbeard | Jul 10, 2008 1:01:30 PM
LOL! This reminds me of my great grandmother explaining people why went people skydiving or whitewater rafting. "Baby, white men don't have any real problems so to prove they can handle anything they go looking for trouble. They go to bad neighborhoods and do things they shouldn't or they jump out of planes, they're just as brave as they can be."
I know that's borderline racist, but, then I see this.....
lol
Posted by: thevegasstyleguy | Jul 10, 2008 1:08:58 PM
borderline? no, more like actually.
in other news I didn't know volcanoes violated the laws of chemistry!
"Tentative at first, the adrenalin-junkie paddled to within 20ft of the lava, before moving back from water that reached 200C in places"
wow DOUBLE the boiling point of water even! that's some special seawater right there! lol
Posted by: Blake | Jul 11, 2008 3:39:07 AM
Jeff, I think dude's brains are in his balls! I mean, talk about hot nuts! I'm sure there were some sharks saying, "MMMmmmmm...boiled surfer tonight"!
Posted by: mike | Jul 11, 2008 1:28:08 PM