Jan 22 2009
Kala Alexander on Pipeline and the Wolfpack
Photo Credit: Marco Garcia
The New York Times profiles Kala Alexander, Pipeline local and founder of the Wolfpack, as he explains why the Wolfpack got started and how it regulates and protects the Pipeline line-up. Kala cuts a larger than life figure as a pipeline local, community volunteer, actor, surfer, and businessman, but with a violent past. He spent time in prison for assault charges on Kauai. Regulating the line-up at Pipeline has meant physical intimidation and occasional violence to those who don’t follow the rules. Da Hui and the Wolfpack emphasize respect for the locals and order in the line-up; they enforce the code through violence and/or threats of violence. Kala was also profiled recently by Outside Magazine and has his own website. Unfortunately, there’s no blog on his site; it would be interesting to hear Kala’s thoughts and responses to readers. Youtube interview with Kala at the bottom.
From the NYT article:
“The code is to respect other people,” Alexander, 39, said. “People come over here and don’t respect other people. You’re going to run into problems if you do that.”
That is what happened to Chris Ward, a 30-year-old professional from San Clemente, Calif., and runner-up to Kelly Slater last month at the Pipeline Masters. In November, Australian publications reported that Ward cut off a local surfer while riding a wave at Pipeline. He was banished to the beach, where a Wolfpak member smacked him in the head. Without providing details, Ward confirmed that the incident happened.
“It was crowded when I came here,” Alexander said about Pipeline. “A lot of people in the water, not much respect. Where I grew up on Kauai, you respect everybody in the water, especially your elders. Don’t step out of line. We just brought that mentality over here.”
I look up to kala and i think what he does is neded but i think if he is gona bash heads he should have a good reason. i hope to one day surf with him.
your a fucking joke derek
Kala should come to Portugal and meet de Cota Krew Brigade (cota means old man) and learn some maners.
I don’t surf. I’m not into surf culture. I’m fat and like deciduous trees.
I remember reading the NY Times article on Alexander, and saw him only yesterday, I think, competing in the Eddie Aikau Memorial Competition.
The story of the WolfPak’s enforcement of the surf rotation at the Pipeline reminds me of the tragedy of the commons.
I don’t agree with use of violence – or threats of same, but it’s plain that there is a limited resource used by many, so I’m not surprised that this situation has developed.
Whether it’s good or not, I dunno. I’d imagine that if it were that big of a problem, some regulatory body would have stepped in by now. More than likely, it’s the media blowing something out of proportion.
tl;dr
tragedy of the commons
Kala and his buddies are a bunch of big ol’ fags – he probably willingly dropped the soap while in prison. No wonder they like to touch men so often. It must be tough to be gay on Hawaii. It means you have to try and compensate so much harder to look manly and “tuff.”
Kala Alexander is a virus within society. Evidently he’s had a lot of bad breaks, but his misfortune shouldn’t be an excuse. This guy should be delt with in a severe and uncomprimising fashion. He’s a felon and should be put on a very tight leash. One more small mistake and he should spend the rest of his days in a cage.
LOL He cant even fight, he couldnt knock out that scrony white dude, no matter how hard he tried. He is just a buff ass little rat. I agree with what he is trying to do, but he is just a asshole and not the right person to be leading anything. If he thinks he is some kind of tough fighter type of person, start MMA. Maybe you can actually win something, unlike your “career” in surfing.