Meet How B

Photo By Jamie Yanak

How B. headed off to Arizona for work. Contrary to the advice of the locals, he drove out to the desert at night, alone. Depending on where you are, Wikipedia says the number of stars visible to the naked eye tops out around five thousand. Lying there on the hood of his car and contemplating the vast spectacle of stars and satellites, How said the night sky was a revelation. He was able to regain his perspective just by taking some time to look up.

When How returned to Cleveland we killed a few hours in my living room with Vince, catching him up on the waves he missed. How talked about the duality of life, and that he was trying hard to keep things positive when things in his world were constantly changing. In many ways, surfing is about taking refuge in the water, and the sense of renewal it gives. It really helps to slow things down a bit. For How, the water gives him the chance to surround himself with the spirit of those he loves. His dedication to family is inspiring.

For us, he is someone worth listening to, a person who knows something about the true spirit of surfing. A native Hawaiian who grew up on North Shore, he was taught by the legend Rabbit Kekai. He grew into our small culture and rediscovered his love for the water here in the waves of shallow Lake Erie. He said, “There’s a welcoming surfing community here, it’s a family in a wider sense with a deep dedication. It always reminds me of Hawaii.” How is a guy who proudly wears his heart on his sleeve, a great friend that you always want to see out in the lineup. I Hope to see How again soon.


Meet How:a short clip from Out Of Place from Kurt P Vincent on Vimeo.