Meet the Hawaii Voice of Surf: The Man Who Started Surf News Network

Surf News Network is the go-to destination to learn about surfing conditions

For over 4 decades, Surf News Network (SNN) has been the ‘VOICE OF SURF’ in Hawaii. It is the go-to destination to learn about surfing conditions – the 5 Ws – waves, water, wind, weather, warnings; not just fun in the sun and surf but also, news and safety. Its “Chief Surfing Officer” is surf veteran Gary Kewley, who turned his surfing passion into a career. Established in 1976, and casting a broad net with over 1/4 million daily listeners, SNN is the longest-running surf report network in the world.

Originally from San Diego, Gary worked as a camp counselor and program director living beachfront on the north shore, at Camp Mokuleia’s Paradise Cottage. He loved surfing and could look out towards the Waimea Bay steeple, dreaming of riding giant waves at this iconic location. Gary hooked up with Surfer Joe Teipel, who started surf reporting for several radio stations in 1976. In 1981, Gary was on board with Joe, initially as a wave spotter, and broadcasting surf and marine conditions. Working together for over a decade, he eventually bought the company in 1990, growing the network and turning it into Hawaii’s largest locally syndicated news feature with over 30 media affiliates. SNN’s online site, surfnewsnetwork.com, with its surf observations using surf cameras, buoy readings, and local swell tracker surf video presentation, shows storm tracking models that create weather and swells. SNN is supported by its advertising banners through the enormous support of its sponsors. surfnewsnetwork.com is at or near the top on all major search engines for ‘surf news,’ receiving 8-10,000 visits per day and 85,000 unique users monthly. The surf call-in hotlines are still popular and get up to 3,000 callers daily with (808)596-SURF getting approximately 2,000 daily. It’s a busy day in the surf reporting department for Gary ‘GQ’ Kewley.

Honoluluvibes caught up with Gary, in between surfing breaks, who shared the pulse of SNN’s wave and community action.

DP: Over 40 years in the business of providing local surf news! Please share with Honolulu Vibes how you go about your day of gathering the surf news and informing the surfing community. Do you still get up at 4 am to check the surf breaks?

Gary: It really is all about the morning – Reports gathering, the watches and warnings, the winds and surf forecasts. The national weather service and buoy reports are all online. We have a variety of forecast models. All of these are our information sources. We know the unique character of the local breaks and how they respond to waves, sizes, and their directions. As we have been doing this for so long we understand the peculiarities of each reef or at least try to. We talk to the hardcore surfers, the lifeguards, and also the general audiences who just may be dreaming of learning to surf one day. The ones who call (808)596-SURF are more hardcore. We hit the whole broad spectrum from wannabes to the pros. Our 85,000 visits to our website monthly are proof that our local support is amazing. Mahalo to each of you!

DP: Wind, waves, water, weather, warnings — love the 5 Ws… Can you share some stories of how SNN’ service in advising about dangerous weather conditions has saved lives by giving accurate information?

Gary: It is widely respected that surf information saves lives. And of course, we emphasize, when in doubt, don’t go out!! Putting safety first is of utmost priority. We are also taking care of the hard-core guys and gals because when the swells get large, they are going out!! When a high surf advisory is up, we all get excited! But, we also have to put a qualifier in there. Surely thousands of lives have been saved over the last decades. Warning forecasts are predicted from models that illustrate storms. We immediately call the National Weather Service if the waves are at the threshold of 15 feet in the face and they haven’t yet posted a high surf advisory. This occurs a handful of times a year. We work as a team and they also help us out because when it comes to mother nature and keeping tabs on her, nobody’s perfect. It’s always our honor to serve the National Weather Service and the community at large. If there is a shark spotting we mention it. We also announce the box jellyfish advisories that occur monthly, usually 8 to 10 days after every full moon, and particularly along Southern Shores.

DP: Do you see a surge of new local companies who are now advertising with you, as a result of the pandemic, reaching out to the surfing audience to get more business?

Gary: We certainly have had a drop of advertisers especially with numerous bars and restaurants closed since the pandemic. The number of new local Hawaiian companies advertising with us is nevertheless increasing. Numerous new businesses have jumped on board advertising on SNN – insurance companies, law firms, hotels, hospitals, food vendors, sanitizing companies. Due to the pandemic and adapting to the current times of hardship for local businesses, we have been offering generous marketing campaigns assisting them to get back on their feet. Our community of ocean-loving locals can be their new ears and eyeballs, a new clientele interested in learning about local products and services. My friend and marketing associate Glenn Mercante has helped SNN out a great deal over the last 2 years finding new clients. It’s a blessing to help new local clients with their struggling businesses due to the pandemic who often become new friends! I call Glenn the ‘mongoose’ as he’s high energy and moves fast. He has brought on new sponsors such as Shriners Hospital for Children who are pleased to tap into the surfing community for donation to the hospital’s causes. Noh Foods, Sam’s Kitchen, Ko Tiki Terrace, and Jersey Mike’s Subs are also using our service as a drive to attract locals to their food establishments.

2019 World Title and Billabong Pipe Masters. (photo by Ronen Zilberman)

DP: How does the information gathered by SNN assist to monitor climate change or other important water and land issues such as erosion:

Gary: Hawaii has been dealing with nuisance coastal flooding and higher astronomical tides over the last years. Local authorities are very concerned about the wave action along Hawaii’s coastal regions and have been making more requests for wave information than other aspects of nature. Swell Forcast Guru Pat Caldwell recently retired after 25 years with National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and has joined the SNN team bringing his expertise about surf forecasts and of course, climate change and erosion.

DP: How has the water-loving sports community fared since the COVID pandemic?

Gary: Surfing is such an integral part of Hawaii’s lifestyle. The popularity of surfing and all ocean-loving sports has boomed over the course of the COVID pandemic. There are so many newcomers to surfing as more people have been seeking all kinds of water sports as therapy. People need to get out as it is good for the body, heart, mind, and soul! And SNN not only delivers content but also energy and stoke. It’s been 40 years that I’ve been looking at surf spots and I have never seen these unprecedented crowds in the water. It’s an all-time high – people surfing, foil boarding, longboarding, stand up paddleboarding, windsurfers, kite surfers, fishermen, freedivers. Surfboard sales are booming along with dinghy repair businesses. They can barely keep up with the demand. So in this regard, we and the ocean sports community have been fortunate. It’s proof we need the ocean and of course, it needs us.

Honoluluvibes reached out to the local ocean sports community. Sammy’s Aloha Watersports, located in Kailua, one of the world’s best destinations for ocean sports such as windsurfing and kite surfing. He has been busily booked back to back with more locals than tourists. World-class windsurfer and 2020 Olympic qualifier, local business owner Sammy Perez Hults, is the favorite instructor among locals of all ages. He adds, “My instructors and I are so pleased to be able to keep my business afloat with the increased demand of all ocean activities. In addition to tourists, local folk who might never have thought of getting into these challenging surfing sports are taking the plunge. We’re able to look after our business and our families during these times where water sports seem to be the most sought after recreational activities.”

For more information about SNN’s local community campaigns, reach out to Glenn Mercante: 808-343-4788

by Dina Pinos

Dina Pinos is a Canadian-born Greek, former UH graduate student and EastWest Center grantee. Thriving world traveler, seeking to uncover passionate stories to share with and serve the community.