Heff
Grom Report
Makana Pang By Sean Reilly Full name: Taylan Makana Malu Mai Kalani Pang Hometown: Haleiwa, Oahu DOB: October 13, 2000 Height/Weight: 4’6, 65 lbs. Stance: Goofy Sponsors: Fox, Drift Surf, North Shore Surf Shop, Kahuku Grill, Dennis Pang Surfboards Hawaii Take a moment to tap into your long-term memory and try to remember what you were doing at 12 years old. If you were anything like the rest of us, you were probably preoccupied with algebra homework, popping pimples or scoping out prospects for your first kiss. Several years from now, Makana Pang will be able to look back and say, “Yea, when I was 12 years old, I was charging Banzai Pipeline.” And when we say Pipeline, we’re not talking about the summer time sand bar; we’re talking about solid 8-foot Pipe, and Makana has the hardware to prove it!
Earlier this year, Makana walked away with the coveted “Most Inspirational Surfer” award at the ASP Pipeline Pro Junior. The North Shore local demonstrated remarkable talent and courage while dropping into treacherous Second Reef Pipe. Bred to charge, Makana is the son of pro surfing pioneer and big wave charger Dennis Pang.
and Mahina Maeda gave it to me. It’s because I have a big head and little body.
Surfing isn’t the only trick up this grommet’s sleeve. Makana is a diving enthusiast and an academic stand out. When he’s not getting barreled out of his mind, the talented local is slaying tako (octopus) and participating in extracurricular science fairs. Excelling in just about everything he puts his mind too, look for big things in this little guys future!
What is your go-to board? 4’8 ½,15 1/8 wide, and 1 ½ thick, shaped by my dad!
Your full name is quite a mouthful, do you have any nick names? Lollipop. All the kids on the North Shore call me that. Dax McGill
Where do you go to school? I’m an 8th grader at Kahuku High and Intermediate. What is your favorite subject? My favorite subject is art. I like to draw… I draw waves a lot.
What does the rest of your quiver look like? I have a 4’11 little step up for a little bigger waves, a 5’4 for Pipe, and I have a 5’7 and a 5’8 for Sunset. What is your first memory of surfing? My dad took me out to Haleiwa pretty much everyday when I was really young. I was like one and a half or two. But I remember
doing the Menehune (North Shore Menehune Surf Contest) when I was three. What is your home break? Ehukai or Rocky Point. Where is your favorite spot? My favorite spot is Rockpiles. I like that wave. It’s a sketchy wave, a lot of rocks popping up, and it’s super shallow. It’s cool. The biggest I surfed it is probably 5 foot. Who are your favorite surfers and why? Andy Irons because he is a pretty big inspiration to everyone in the surfing world. Jamie O’Brien, he’s crazy! Does crazy stuff at Pipe all the time, super gnarly at switch stance too. Do you have any friendly rivalries? Barron Mamiya, Noah Beschen, Ryder Guest, and Kalani Rivero. It’s fun to surf with them in a free continued on page 66