World Surf League CEO Erik Logan delights cultural anthropologists, concerns anti-doping watchdogs ahead of Pro Pipeline by adopting traditional Hawaiian greeting!

An illegal advantage?

The Billabong Pro Pipeline is entering its second official day and while Surfline has upgraded its swell forecast, the wind remains “tricky.” This probable continued pause in action allows us, though, to contemplate other great surf mysteries. Like, for example, how do you greet your fellow wave slider when you see her or him in the wild?

A nod followed by slick “What’s up?”

Shaka and “Hey, bro?”

Firm handshake with no verbal tick?

Firm handshake followed by pull in to side hug then an earnest “How’s the family?”

Well, World Surf League CEO Erik Logan has, on Oahu’s North Shore for the contest, has delighted cultural anthropologists by adopting the traditional Hawaiian greeting of “sharing breath” (see above photo).

Per Hawaii Aloha:

“This exchange of breath, or ha, is done when two people press together the bridge of their noses while inhaling at the same time. It’s a Hawaiian greeting that welcomes the other person into their space by sharing the breath of life, which was sacred to the culture. Ancient Hawaiians recognized that their breath was the key to good health and believed it possessed mana (spiritual power). Before an elderly person died, he/she often passed down wisdom to the chosen successor by sharing ha in this fashion.”

As you can see, Logan, who hails from Oklahoma, is passing his Big Kahuna mana to Australian’s Jack Robinson, who is certainly harboring dreams of a maiden Championship Tour victory. But how do you think it will go? Will surf fans look back on this moment, this Pro Pipeline kickoff and breath sharing, as the launching pad to Robinson’s epic year? An illegal advantage like steroids? Did all competitors receive Logan’s mana?

And while cultural anthropologists may be delighted by the moment, do native Hawaiians feel the same?

Anti-doping watchdogs?

Currently more questions than answers.