Beers, Barrels and Debauchery Descend On The Ehukai Beach Park

“It’s not just a surf competition. It’s an alcoholic endurance competition,” Nathan Florence said of the Filmers Cup, the annual surf/beer consumption event held on the North Shore to celebrate a handful of hardworking camerapeople. 

Now in its third year, the invitational is open solely to filmers, judged by surfers, and organized entirely by Jon and Dali Pyzel. Ryan Miller calls it “the most universally loved day of the whole North Shore winter.” 

For a few lucky individuals, it appears that spending countless hours watching and documenting world-class surfing can translate to very good surfing. From what we’ve heard about the comp, every year, the assembled filmers properly rip the sandbar between Ehukai and Pupukea. 

This past week the event ran in playful, head-high peaks. When all the beers were finished, Hawaiian filmmaker Kalani Minihan was the last man standing. We’re not exactly sure how the format and criteria work, but Kalani (who films for Eli Hanneman) somehow drained numerous beer bongs (thanks, Fat Tire), out-chugged and out-surfed 2X reigning Filmers Cup champ Erik Knuston. Another big highlight was Chad Christensen getting the event’s first-ever 10-point ride. 

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Kalani graciously thanked his fam and Eli for giving him a day off. He was also pretty happy to take out Erik, the master lensman behind John John Florence’s content. 

“Thanks to @erik_knutson_ for smoking me the last two years and pushing me to become a better filmer, surfer, competitor, and drinker all together,” Kalani said on his Instagram. 

Unfortunately, there’s not much footage available of the contest because all the cameramen were either getting barreled or getting drunk. Cheers to Kalani for earning the W, a handycam trophy, a free custom Pyzel board, and one hell of a hangover.