40's lifeguards and the PAPA style

Its not every day you can find the one image that defines a concept, but with the investigative skills of my trusty friend, Mr Photo Hound, I believe that this single photograph is the one that best sums up Papa Nui. Taken at Barber Point Oahu Hawaii in 1943, this lifeguard is the personification of the Papa concept. From his mid green aviators to his US Navy underwater demolition team shorts the look is classic. Note around his neck he is also wearing an olive USN plastic survival whistle. The hollow wooden paddleboard looks like something Tom Blake would have made and probably did as this type of craft was the state of the art in 1930's 1940's surf rescue. My favourite thing however is the lifeguard chair with the Olive canvas shelter cover. Man I gotta me get one of those made so I can sit in the yard and survey the neighbourhood. Your safety is now in the Papa's hands.

PAPA tries his hand at Monster Art

The Papa and family were playing around the other week and were having a discussion about Surf Monster art and the kind of work you can see on the movie the Seedling and also on the extras featuring Alex Knost in 'Super slave of Love'. So we all decided to try our hand at painting. These two examples are where the Papa was heading armed with a sheet of canvas a permanent marker and some watercolours. Seems there's a theme running here and perhaps an exhibition in the making.

Beach styling early 1950's??

The Papa was set up at the beach today enjoying the gorgeous autumn coastal weather, cold overnight lows and mornings burning off to sensational 25+ days (70+). Making camp on the sand for the day is always a great way to spend Sundays. We get to lounge around and take in all the action as well as have a paddle out everytime the tide is just right. We surf, eat, read, sleep and talk; my favourite day of the week.
A good friend of mine was fishing around on the net the other day and found this little slice of beaching style back in the early 50's and so the Papa thought for your viewing pleasure you'd enjoy seeing how it was done all those years ago.