I love to see this, as a fellow Polynesian and LA native. I want to see more black people on the waves - surfing is NOT just for white people. I even see surfing becoming inaccessible to some Polynesians…and we invented it. Though, Africans also had a form of surfing too that developed independently. The ocean is yours! I hope to see more black people on the waves….especially in areas like Long Beach, which is getting heavily gentrified.
I don’t know why I just got emotional reading your comment( I don’t even swim or surf because I’m deathly afraid of the water). It’s like I heard you say this in my head and I don’t even know you! Thank you for this beautiful comment !!! ❤❤❤❤
SO DOPE. I have a love for skateboarding and have done so for years. Nothing serious just carving the streets and I remember how I was looked at. It wasn't a Black thing to do in my day so I heard the criticism from both sides. It broke me and I stopped for a while to only pick it back up later in life and realised I should have never abandoned what I loved.To see black surfers which I never seen before is so inspiring and it's comforting to see that others like you that share that same passion and motivating one another. Prayers up to you Bro and I look forward to seeing you in the PROS.
Maaaan I'm not getting into water above my neck and I'm 5'2🤣. In my opinion, y'all bros are crazy for wanting to be in those waves but the inspiration and courage that you guys are gaining, I'll always respect💙🖤🥂👑
Man, I hear ya. The same thing with me. Used to get clowned for it as well, but it's was a freeing outlet. I wish I never gave it up because of pressure from both sides. I'm glad you picked it back up and are in the comments supporting other folks like us. Man, I gotta say, I'm happy to see this new generation breaking barriers.
Also he should do a deep dive on what native Hawaiians looked like 200+ years ago. They have been colonized to not accept blackness but their phenotype said otherwise 😅
Thank you for this video. I have a picture of the guys when they were cleaning their surfboards in Manhattan Beach California and I didn’t know that he was a professional surfer or even maybe the other guys that were with him. I am a native black American and I don’t see a lot of black surfers but when I saw the five or six guys cleaning their surfboards, I had to stop on my bicycle and asked him if I can take a picture of them and they said yes. Gave the guys the Shaka sign and continue writing my bike on the bike strand and now watching this video and I recognize him not knowing who he was. I am from Los Angeles, but I am a resident on the big island of Hawaii also even though he is from Oahu. Well thank you for this video. I hope this makes sense because I’m talking into my phone. I don’t feel like typing Mahalo 🤙🏿🤙🏿🤙🏿🤙🏿🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽
Was just expecting to see a video of surfing but got to see a mini-documentary, an artwork of over 8 mins. This was awesome. Keep chasing those waves Julian ❤
How wise to know to ‘go off the grid’ to find your center. 🙏🏽 The Ocean is a holy temple & is color*blind. 🌊One can worship any place & any time. 🌊🌊🌊🙏🏽Your family must be proud. 🙏🏽
He speaks for many of us who are black and are kama’aina or even kanaka maoli in his case!! I’ve dealt with exactly this and it confirms my doubts of negative experiences. It was really lonely growing up there yet it’s still home❤ Aloha braddah for telling our story through your own journey in Hawai’i Nei. You are Kanaka Maoli despite what you’ve been told by those bozos that act dumb 🥹🥰🌺😎🤙🏾
Black people in Africa invented surfing and paddle boarding! When Europeans sailed to the West Coast of Africa, Africans used the boards for surfing, traveling, and work. This is why knowing black history is so important.
I thought you were speaking absolute BS so I researched it and you’re telling the truth it’s just Africans didn’t have any written accounts or any oral history of it so people assume Bruce Brown introduced them to it which maybe could be in the different style but surfing?? Africans knew about it for probably thousands of years
It’s likely they developed independently, if anything. Polynesians entire life revolves around the ocean - it’s literally how we got to the islands thousands upon thousands of years ago. But did Africans “invent” it, as in Polynesians didn’t? Absolutely not.
No surfing on the mainland is dominated by white men@@merryfergie try be high maka maka here in hawaii. Youll find out who runs da gulch real quick. Lol
SO inspiring! I’ve always had a desire to surf, but have been too fearful to go that deep in the waters, and I’m not that strong of a swimmer, though I LOVE the ocean and feel one with it. So amazing to FINALLY actually see a face of a “black” person doing something I know we’ve always done but have never been represented in! Much love this made me cry! Blessing to you Julian, keep going and never give up no matter the ops. God is on your side and your ancestors are rooting for you! We all are!! ❤
5:38 “Sometimes you gotta jump, and build your wings on the way down” BARS!!!! This was the scariest lesson I’ve learned but builds great self efficacy and resilience ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
My friend told me to call him da solo popolo, and he was the only black pro surfer back then, he was so fun, and funny, his name was Buttons, RIP bradda B YOUR caring on his presence , keep surfing, he stay smiling down on you! Aloha westside Oahu.
I'm a melanated indigenous surfer (black is the colonizer's label..so is african american, but I digress). I was born in Vero Beach, Fl. and my first taste of the ocean was in Sebastian, Fl. (Crackerville U.S.A). Always remember that they hate you because they ain't you. Their biggest fear is you going into a domain that they've tried to gatekeep (which is oxymoronic because how can one gatekeep the ocean?) and you blossom and dominate; and other bredren follow and do the same. Trust and believe that all of your ancestors (Buttons included) smiled when your feet first touched the wai. Sending you nothing but the biggest mahalo and infinite shakas kinfolk! Shoots!
Beautiful story with so many layers and complexities. I’m thrilled you found your Ebony tribe. Seems like they were just what you needed to feel and be encouraged. Looking forward to seeing you on the big screen one day!
Stunning, Beautiful, heartbreaking, inspiring, Amazing, captivating. Every single thing, all the feels. We'll done👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 Keep finding the light Always⭐️💫⭐️☀️
This documentary is as beautiful as your soaring spirit. It's only in pushing through our struggles that we find peace on the other side. I send much love to you. You are winning!!!
Yeah you!!! Julez!! Big ups my dude!! This is Kepa from down the road Akulei St.. im glad to see you still surfing my boy!!! It was funny he only played basketball for a long time.😂 I remember taking your dad night diving with us at aweo’weo beach park 😂 his eyes told the whole story. Love you Julz!! Keep Surfing!!
Hey... is this the grom who always used to surf Haleiwa on the green board @Julian?...I work the tower there and have not seen you in Waialua for years..was wondering where you were...my kids are 1/2 Ghanaian and growing up in the same hood...come around if you're around:)
I was fortunate to live in Honolulu circa (2008 till 2011) My Hometown on the Mainland is in South East Georgia fifty miles from Brunswick as a child I've visited the ocean but the Pacific Ocean scenery is totally different from the Atlantic Ocean. I visited the North Shore area during the winter and I was in awe of the power of those waves. I saw the feature for this video this morning as I was scrolling through my RUclips channel and I watched the video and it gave me spiritual joy to witness Julian's journey. I pray that our Creator continues to bless his life as well as his friends in Los Angeles because I believe that they have righteous intentions in their hearts ❤️
I always knew as soon as more black people start surfing and skating they will turn it out I love black people and their athleticism and drive for sports so they can't help but turn everything to Gold they touch many people from all over are great athletes but hey you just got to tell the truth my children are a mix ethnicity I always wished I would have raised my kids in Hawaii I think they would have definitely taken over the surf sport we did move back to California for a while and my sons were great with skateboarding we need to be as one and stop any one thing is for one person the world is for all of us to explore and be our best at but you just got to give it to certain people when they got it like that and are good things of their culture I wish him nothing but the best ❤
Who ever said "surfing is only for white people" ? Surfing was the sport of Hawaiian chiefs in old Hawaii. Cool story though. Julian Williams is blessed to have Hawaiian and African ancestry! Malama Pono!
Moved to Tears watching this....I didn't start surfing until I was 38yrs old, a Black Man. When in Hawaii on vacation, I wandered to Waikiki Beach. On a Dare to myself, I paid one of the Local Beach Boys( Some Happen to be Grown Mature Men as my instructor was) to take me out. He was very cool, I caught 2 waves, one close to 4ft right hander, I road about 15yrds it felt like forever but I felt the Stoke, I'd not known it before. Not from Sports, D2 Football, Motorcycles, military, scuba diving Nothing else. To this day at 60yrs I am unable to verbally describe the Feeling....it is a High that I can only refer to as Spiritual. I went back home to the Bay Area and surfed as much as I could, 3 times a week. I still do but live in Vegas for work now. I get wet but not nearly how I NEED to, I dream of the Lineup, where life makes sense so clearly Everyday. I am working on early retirement, learning of moving to Panama surf coast...My Dream now is to Surf, paddle, daily in Retirement. I went back to Hawaii a few years later on my way to Kauai, this time with my own board, saw the same Man who got me my First Wave...he remembered Me, I told him How He changed my LIFE... He told me He remembered how Charged, Emotionally Happy I was... He said that wave traveled thousands of miles to find you reflecting on that day. I was holding Back alot of emotion with laughter and jokes...I tipped him then on that day but I I gave him a Gift family Tip when seeing him again telling him Thank You. Regarding this cinematic piece, Being 1/4 Hawaiian , not being embraced by the Aloha Spirit, embraced by Your culture...has to carry a Burning Ember of pain. This is a Beautiful Film.
What a wonderful and uplifting video about surfer Julian Williams. I loved the message that he has always been enough. So glad that he found a surfing community on the mainland. He needed to move out of that small minded area in Hawaii where he felt like an outcast - which should never have happened especially because his ancestry on that island runs deep. Rooting for you to get every victory that you seek, Mr. Williams! Additionally, kudos to Nowness. I have admired the content and excellent cinamatography in so many of their videos.
I literally watched the surfers in the Olympic competition and said where are the black surfers at it's 2024 and now I come across this doc and your story is amazing and I'm a fan cause you want to see other races of ppl in every sport ... Love it
Also theres been Africans surfing in Africa for a long time. He's just going to be the face that represents the brands localy. That type of film doesnt come out of thin air👀
I feel you bro. I moved to Kauai in 1998. Back then you could count all the brothers and sisters on your hand from north shore to west side. 26 years later not much has changed althoug lh there are more brothers and sisters living here. It’s amazing to watch the Hawaiian culture embrace our R&B, Hip-Hop, Country and reggae yet never really try to befriend us truly. As big as Jahwaiian reggae is in the islands and how beloved Hawaiians love Bob Marley. I’ve never seen respect given to the Rasta men around our island unless they are famous from Jamaica or now in the new Cali Reggae scene. I’m from Alabama so at least you’ve got the Kanaka bloodline in you. Keep your head up and know the challenges we face will make us stronger! Keep your eye on your health and talent and you will not lose. Thanks for sharing I will definitely start paddling out again.❤️🔥🤙🏾❤️🔥
Bro is and looks like the inventors of surfing. Yet is an outsider today. Keep paddling bro, if you're ever in Fiji let me know I'ma take you to some secrets surf spots.
This was beautiful and dope asf. I am a brother from San Diego and dealt with the same racial shit from others and even my own people. But never expected to hear that Hawaiians were reciprocating the actions of their colonizers. Wild! Glad to see you found peace and a crew of like minds.
I’ve known Julian since he was 14, and invested my own time filming his surfing/life. Such a good guy, and truly blessed!
❤🥹🌺😎🤙🏾 you are blessed and awesome for filming this journey
Thank you for supporting him! Hope the appreciation is coming from him to you, as well ❤
Thank you for sharing his story❤ beautiful work, by the way😊
I love to see this, as a fellow Polynesian and LA native. I want to see more black people on the waves - surfing is NOT just for white people. I even see surfing becoming inaccessible to some Polynesians…and we invented it. Though, Africans also had a form of surfing too that developed independently. The ocean is yours! I hope to see more black people on the waves….especially in areas like Long Beach, which is getting heavily gentrified.
Polynesians ARE part African
The original Polynesians looked very similar to Julian Williams in others words they too would be called negros.
I don’t know why I just got emotional reading your comment( I don’t even swim or surf because I’m deathly afraid of the water). It’s like I heard you say this in my head and I don’t even know you! Thank you for this beautiful comment !!! ❤❤❤❤
@@user-wi6cz4hh5bwhen Hawaiians would visit the US mainland, they were called negros but were quickly corrected.
Are people of colour actively stopped from surfing? I highly fucking doubt it lol. Its not part of the culture
Absolutely stunning, the storytelling, the visuals, the convergence of themes; one of the most entralling micro-films I have seen.
Yeah I’m loving it
Agreed.
The Creator says "be still and know that I am God." Julian found stillness in the middle of the roaring sea. Incredible.
One of my favorite verses from the bible ❤
Finally a real surfers story and struggle, I'm tired of entitled rich corporate surfers and boring vlogs. See u in da water braddah J
Huh? Surfing has a rich history of less fortunate surfers especially in Hawaii
@@osas5211you can't tell, you see Manny people that aren't Hawaiian.
@@osas5211 except for Sheldon paison. Show me one today, not the poor outlaws that made the sport. Current events not the history
@@greatmindsthinkalike1378 you can tell from their names no?
@@Macnutkauai Bethany Hamilton?
SO DOPE. I have a love for skateboarding and have done so for years. Nothing serious just carving the streets and I remember how I was looked at. It wasn't a Black thing to do in my day so I heard the criticism from both sides. It broke me and I stopped for a while to only pick it back up later in life and realised I should have never abandoned what I loved.To see black surfers which I never seen before is so inspiring and it's comforting to see that others like you that share that same passion and motivating one another. Prayers up to you Bro and I look forward to seeing you in the PROS.
Maaaan I'm not getting into water above my neck and I'm 5'2🤣. In my opinion, y'all bros are crazy for wanting to be in those waves but the inspiration and courage that you guys are gaining, I'll always respect💙🖤🥂👑
Surfing is thrilling! I’m terrible but it doesn’t stop me from”walking on water” or trying anyway 😂
Man, I hear ya. The same thing with me. Used to get clowned for it as well, but it's was a freeing outlet. I wish I never gave it up because of pressure from both sides. I'm glad you picked it back up and are in the comments supporting other folks like us. Man, I gotta say, I'm happy to see this new generation breaking barriers.
Keep going! You’re setting the stage for “black boy joy” without boundaries ❤️ I love seeing it!
Also he should do a deep dive on what native Hawaiians looked like 200+ years ago. They have been colonized to not accept blackness but their phenotype said otherwise 😅
🎯🎯🎯🎯
Yes!!!!’n
Finally someone reads real history!!!!
Yes people forget that before East Asian and European admixture Polynesians looked pretty dark skinned at times
Facts afro hair and bones in their noses. The original indigenous Hawaiians were black
You can just look at the natives on some of the other islands. They proudly wear Afros too
Beautiful story! Rooting for you Julian! Opening up doors for all those coming behind you. 🫶🏾
Glad you found your tribe 🌊😌
Julian, your skin is beautiful, your hair is beautiful, your soul is beautiful.
I AM so pleased that you found your self, and your tribe young brother.
Thank you for this video. I have a picture of the guys when they were cleaning their surfboards in Manhattan Beach California and I didn’t know that he was a professional surfer or even maybe the other guys that were with him. I am a native black American and I don’t see a lot of black surfers but when I saw the five or six guys cleaning their surfboards, I had to stop on my bicycle and asked him if I can take a picture of them and they said yes. Gave the guys the Shaka sign and continue writing my bike on the bike strand and now watching this video and I recognize him not knowing who he was. I am from Los Angeles, but I am a resident on the big island of Hawaii also even though he is from Oahu. Well thank you for this video. I hope this makes sense because I’m talking into my phone. I don’t feel like typing Mahalo 🤙🏿🤙🏿🤙🏿🤙🏿🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽
Was just expecting to see a video of surfing but got to see a mini-documentary, an artwork of over 8 mins. This was awesome. Keep chasing those waves Julian ❤
An Artwork is an understatement! Beautifully done short film of a beautiful man, his family, and new Love ❤
How wise to know to ‘go off the grid’ to find your center. 🙏🏽 The Ocean is a holy temple & is color*blind. 🌊One can worship any place & any time. 🌊🌊🌊🙏🏽Your family must be proud. 🙏🏽
Black is beautiful my man. We gotta fight this racism when we "forget our place". Eff em' you do you. I'm following you now.
Beautiful cinematography 😍
He speaks for many of us who are black and are kama’aina or even kanaka maoli in his case!! I’ve dealt with exactly this and it confirms my doubts of negative experiences. It was really lonely growing up there yet it’s still home❤
Aloha braddah for telling our story through your own journey in Hawai’i Nei. You are Kanaka Maoli despite what you’ve been told by those bozos that act dumb 🥹🥰🌺😎🤙🏾
If he’s Hawaiian yes he is otherwise no he’s just black in hawai’i unfortunately.
I just love seeing us find peace, after all the sh*t the world puts us through, jah bless
Beautiful story, beautifully told. Keep going Julian!
Spread your wings Julian, you’re inspiring many people ❤
Spread dat ALOHA Hawaiian. Our tutu’s stand with you!
Such a beautiful person, and film. I am happy to know that Julian has found himself, and his place in this world.
Black people in Africa invented surfing and paddle boarding! When Europeans sailed to the West Coast of Africa, Africans used the boards for surfing, traveling, and work. This is why knowing black history is so important.
I thought you were speaking absolute BS so I researched it and you’re telling the truth it’s just Africans didn’t have any written accounts or any oral history of it so people assume Bruce Brown introduced them to it which maybe could be in the different style but surfing?? Africans knew about it for probably thousands of years
Polynesians invented what we know today as surfing...in saying that, Polynesians may have ancient African genetics.
Amen. There are surfers in African. Basically, all over the continent. ❤
It’s likely they developed independently, if anything. Polynesians entire life revolves around the ocean - it’s literally how we got to the islands thousands upon thousands of years ago. But did Africans “invent” it, as in Polynesians didn’t? Absolutely not.
@Mars of course we have African genetics, everyone does!
What a beautiful and amazing testimony/story, someone needs to make a movie out of his story
Yes, it should be a feature length documentary!
this film is unreal … so beautiful and impactful. I want to watch it again and again
Thank you so much !
the first is and always will be Buttons Kaluhiokalani! unreal you guys forget the legends the REAL OG's that put surfing on the map AUWE !!
Buttons definitely the first Hawai'i-born Afro-Hawaiian Professional Surfer, if not the first in the world. He was ahead of his time!! 🙏🏼🙏🏼
He's awesome but the person that put surfing on the map was Duke Kahanamoku he's the real og of surfing n put Hawaii into Hollywood before Elvis.
Surfing is dominated by white men.
This young man, Julian,
Is as rare as a unicorn.
@@merryfergie bruh u must of not to hawaii the natives love the sport its goes back to our ancestors of polynesia brotha
No surfing on the mainland is dominated by white men@@merryfergie try be high maka maka here in hawaii. Youll find out who runs da gulch real quick. Lol
SO inspiring! I’ve always had a desire to surf, but have been too fearful to go that deep in the waters, and I’m not that strong of a swimmer, though I LOVE the ocean and feel one with it. So amazing to FINALLY actually see a face of a “black” person doing something I know we’ve always done but have never been represented in! Much love this made me cry! Blessing to you Julian, keep going and never give up no matter the ops. God is on your side and your ancestors are rooting for you! We all are!! ❤
cinematography went crazy omg
an incredible story, and beautifully shot and edited!! Wishing the best for Julian, and look forward for what the future holds!!
5:38 “Sometimes you gotta jump, and build your wings on the way down” BARS!!!! This was the scariest lesson I’ve learned but builds great self efficacy and resilience ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Your beautiful story will inspire many! This is an artful masterpiece! Mahalo from Aotearoa
this is created beautifully. He is created beautifully.
This is amazing! The storytelling, cinematography, and editing are epic! 👌🏽
My friend told me to call him da solo popolo, and he was the only black pro surfer back then, he was so fun, and funny, his name was Buttons, RIP bradda B YOUR caring on his presence , keep surfing, he stay smiling down on you! Aloha westside Oahu.
Poignant and spiritually rich.
I'm a melanated indigenous surfer (black is the colonizer's label..so is african american, but I digress). I was born in Vero Beach, Fl. and my first taste of the ocean was in Sebastian, Fl. (Crackerville U.S.A). Always remember that they hate you because they ain't you. Their biggest fear is you going into a domain that they've tried to gatekeep (which is oxymoronic because how can one gatekeep the ocean?) and you blossom and dominate; and other bredren follow and do the same. Trust and believe that all of your ancestors (Buttons included) smiled when your feet first touched the wai. Sending you nothing but the biggest mahalo and infinite shakas kinfolk! Shoots!
🤎
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Indigenous to where though?
@@basicallyno1722the whole world bro !! The whole world. Peace
Yes melanated is the perfect word for you ppl because you’re not Black. That belongs to Black Americans.
Best visual experience in awhile and I work in the film industry, getting ready to go to Set now 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Beautiful story with so many layers and complexities. I’m thrilled you found your Ebony tribe. Seems like they were just what you needed to feel and be encouraged. Looking forward to seeing you on the big screen one day!
Absolutely beautiful story! Beautiful film. I loved every bit of it!❤❤❤❤
Wow! The story, the cinematography was everything! Congratulations Julian!!! 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾
Stunning, Beautiful, heartbreaking, inspiring, Amazing, captivating. Every single thing, all the feels. We'll done👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 Keep finding the light Always⭐️💫⭐️☀️
What a stunning short film!
What an incredible story, thank you for sharing.
This documentary is as beautiful as your soaring spirit. It's only in pushing through our struggles that we find peace on the other side. I send much love to you. You are winning!!!
Great story. Beautifully narrated with breathtaking visuals. Outstanding
This was beautifully put together❤
All the best Julian! You're off to a great start. Much support from Guadeloupe!
Yeah you!!! Julez!! Big ups my dude!! This is Kepa from down the road Akulei St.. im glad to see you still surfing my boy!!! It was funny he only played basketball for a long time.😂 I remember taking your dad night diving with us at aweo’weo beach park 😂 his eyes told the whole story. Love you Julz!! Keep Surfing!!
This was emotionally overwhelming beautiful magical spiritual artistic and divine
Hey... is this the grom who always used to surf Haleiwa on the green board @Julian?...I work the tower there and have not seen you in Waialua for years..was wondering where you were...my kids are 1/2 Ghanaian and growing up in the same hood...come around if you're around:)
I was fortunate to live in Honolulu circa (2008 till 2011) My Hometown on the Mainland is in South East Georgia fifty miles from Brunswick as a child I've visited the ocean but the Pacific Ocean scenery is totally different from the Atlantic Ocean. I visited the North Shore area during the winter and I was in awe of the power of those waves. I saw the feature for this video this morning as I was scrolling through my RUclips channel and I watched the video and it gave me spiritual joy to witness Julian's journey. I pray that our Creator continues to bless his life as well as his friends in Los Angeles because I believe that they have righteous intentions in their hearts ❤️
Wow! Powerful! Poetic! Inspiring! Heartfelt! Keep on shining more and more Julian! 🤩
Tautoko ! Beautiful journey and story, thank you for your courage and light! Catch that dream wave!
Great story of a great human. beautifully shot film. thanks for sharing and all the work
This was such a well shot video
Beautiful story, beautifully shot, just beautifully around
I always knew as soon as more black people start surfing and skating they will turn it out I love black people and their athleticism and drive for sports so they can't help but turn everything to Gold they touch many people from all over are great athletes but hey you just got to tell the truth my children are a mix ethnicity I always wished I would have raised my kids in Hawaii I think they would have definitely taken over the surf sport we did move back to California for a while and my sons were great with skateboarding we need to be as one and stop any one thing is for one person the world is for all of us to explore and be our best at but you just got to give it to certain people when they got it like that and are good things of their culture I wish him nothing but the best ❤
Who ever said "surfing is only for white people" ? Surfing was the sport of Hawaiian chiefs in old Hawaii. Cool story though. Julian Williams is blessed to have Hawaiian and African ancestry! Malama Pono!
The Elvis movies and The Beach Boys.
“ Who ever said "surfing is only for white people" ?”
White people. Which is why history is knowing who YOU are is important.
What a beautiful story, keep us updated, right on 😉 🙏🏽🙏🏽
These shots, the editing, and the music ❤ so beautiful
Anyone know the song? 4:15 & ending
SiR - 6 whole days
@@loris159THANK YOU!! been searching the comments for like ten minutes
Moved to Tears watching this....I didn't start surfing until I was 38yrs old, a Black Man. When in Hawaii on vacation, I wandered to Waikiki Beach. On a Dare to myself, I paid one of the Local Beach Boys( Some Happen to be Grown Mature Men as my instructor was) to take me out. He was very cool, I caught 2 waves, one close to 4ft right hander, I road about 15yrds it felt like forever but I felt the Stoke, I'd not known it before. Not from Sports, D2 Football, Motorcycles, military, scuba diving Nothing else. To this day at 60yrs I am unable to verbally describe the Feeling....it is a High that I can only refer to as Spiritual. I went back home to the Bay Area and surfed as much as I could, 3 times a week. I still do but live in Vegas for work now. I get wet but not nearly how I NEED to, I dream of the Lineup, where life makes sense so clearly Everyday. I am working on early retirement, learning of moving to Panama surf coast...My Dream now is to Surf, paddle, daily in Retirement. I went back to Hawaii a few years later on my way to Kauai, this time with my own board, saw the same Man who got me my First Wave...he remembered Me, I told him How He changed my LIFE... He told me He remembered how Charged, Emotionally Happy I was... He said that wave traveled thousands of miles to find you reflecting on that day. I was holding Back alot of emotion with laughter and jokes...I tipped him then on that day but I I gave him a Gift family Tip when seeing him again telling him Thank You.
Regarding this cinematic piece, Being 1/4 Hawaiian , not being embraced by the Aloha Spirit, embraced by Your culture...has to carry a Burning Ember of pain.
This is a Beautiful Film.
May this #blessed #SoulSibling #SoulSurfer one day #surf #BostonBay #Jamaica ♥️💛💚 #BlessUp #Rastafari 💯🕊️🕊️🕊️♾️
Thanks for sharing your story. I appreciate your honesty. Keep your faith and keep your heart open ❤ You are blessed and a blessing to others.
“…feet touched the kai/water before land.” 🤙🏾🫶🏾
IKR?!!! that was my daughter's experience and hearing him say that broke me open 💙💚💙
What a wonderful and uplifting video about surfer Julian Williams. I loved the message that he has always been enough. So glad that he found a surfing community on the mainland. He needed to move out of that small minded area in Hawaii where he felt like an outcast - which should never have happened especially because his ancestry on that island runs deep. Rooting for you to get every victory that you seek, Mr. Williams! Additionally, kudos to Nowness. I have admired the content and excellent cinamatography in so many of their videos.
Powerful story
Visibility Matters
I literally watched the surfers in the Olympic competition and said where are the black surfers at it's 2024 and now I come across this doc and your story is amazing and I'm a fan cause you want to see other races of ppl in every sport ... Love it
This is a masterpiece his storytelling ability is amazing
Also theres been Africans surfing in Africa for a long time. He's just going to be the face that represents the brands localy. That type of film doesnt come out of thin air👀
You’re a brands.
He’s not African.
@VesperJeste😂r
A very moving story of overcoming adversity and discovering one’s shinning. Many blessings to you on your journey.
Inspiring and so beautiful! Cheering you on Julian 💪🏽
this was... so well done. I mean. I'm not gunna surf. cause. sharks. but still!
The ocean of love where we are born and where we go when we pass a wilderness that heals blessing your path one love
Amazing shots! So beautiful 🤩
Stunning film and a beautifully told story. Can't wait to see him turn pro. Much Love
I feel you bro. I moved to Kauai in 1998.
Back then you could count all the brothers and sisters on your hand from north shore to west side.
26 years later not much has changed althoug lh there are more brothers and sisters living here.
It’s amazing to watch the Hawaiian culture embrace our R&B, Hip-Hop, Country and reggae yet never really try to befriend us truly.
As big as Jahwaiian reggae is in the islands and how beloved Hawaiians love Bob Marley.
I’ve never seen respect given to the Rasta men around our island unless they are famous from Jamaica or now in the new Cali Reggae scene.
I’m from Alabama so at least you’ve got the Kanaka bloodline in you.
Keep your head up and know the challenges we face will make us stronger!
Keep your eye on your health and talent and you will not lose.
Thanks for sharing I will definitely start paddling out again.❤️🔥🤙🏾❤️🔥
Bro is and looks like the inventors of surfing. Yet is an outsider today. Keep paddling bro, if you're ever in Fiji let me know I'ma take you to some secrets surf spots.
This is really beautiful
one of the best stories you’ve told
DAMN dude. Incredible story and that was so well done!!
Love ebony beach club! 🤙🏾👍🏾
This was beautiful and dope asf. I am a brother from San Diego and dealt with the same racial shit from others and even my own people. But never expected to hear that Hawaiians were reciprocating the actions of their colonizers. Wild! Glad to see you found peace and a crew of like minds.
This is a great story and beautifully shot! Good luck young man.
Look into the history for surfing/wave riders in West Africa. It is in your DNA on all side.
About time this braddah gets his flowers...I've been hearing about his talent for some time❤❤❤❤❤bigg ups..
Keep goin brotha until you reach your goal!
Keep paddling baby !
Beautiful to see!
Inspired by you ❤ keep going you got this.
Beautiful. Whats the name of the song in the end?
SiR - Six whole days
Beautiful and inspirational story. I wish him great success in the future.
Awesome story. And beautifully produced. I’m pulling for you. Glad you love your ohana and your Blackness. They will always be there for you.
This is awesome!
words cannot explain how beautiful this is.
wonderful video😍😍😍
Hawaiians invented He’e Nalu. Lemurians OG
Beautiful film
He’s really deep. Really deep. He has so much pain within but he’s such a special person. God bless him!
👏🏿 👏🏿 👏🏿 thank you for pushing forward and being strong...You are more than enough as you are..Best wishes on your continuing journey.
I had to stop this video and comment bc SAME my dad really wanted me to play basketball too 😂❤ But he just accepted that I had a love for soccer!
Beyond inspiring -- love this!!
I love that he found his tribe!!! I hope it grows as big as his heart is 💛