Tides

Chapter 34 - VIP Tent

KAY

The whole village is madness. The festival starts today in the afternoon, and the competition heats begin tomorrow. The area in front of The Reef has been transformed into a big outdoor festival. There are over 30 large VIP tents scattered on the premises, plus the largest one in the middle which hosts the organization, the first aid post, and the press rooms. A stage has been set up for musical acts as well.

Not only the ocean sports companies are displaying their stuff here, but also sun block, beverage, and snack brands. Each tent has a flag stuck in the sand with their logo. Among them, I can see our lime green flag, an out of the ordinary, but big eye-catching color.

The guys and I walk towards our tent. We stop from time to time to take a peek inside the others. Each company did their best to make their place flashy and commercial. Bunnies and dudes walk around in tight rash guards and colorful baggies, handing out flyers, samples and marketing goodies to the first visitors. A massive amount of trucks are parked behind the tent area. I saw shapers working on last-minute repairs. Luna's workshop is a fraction of the size of the ones in those trucks.

What I see as we reach our tent blows my mind. Our family has worked hard to make the place as impressive as the rest. I'm sure plenty of Dylan's money is invested in it. Large lime green couches with black cushions with our logo are arranged in small lounges all over the space. Bamboo lanterns hang from the roof and rows of short palm trees divide the lounge areas. At the back of the tent is a well-stocked bar. Hayden, the bartender of the Beach Club, is busy stocking it with green cups and black napkins. Right next to the entrance, Luna mounted a rack for our boards. A side tent has a small workbench for quick repairs.

Joan fixes the straps on the beach dress of a girl who works at my dad's restaurant. Boxes with lime green leis line the side of the tent. Others hold flyers for Kalani, Hibiscus, and the Beach Club, our official sponsors.

We look around in awe. I walk to Dylan, who is reading papers with a serious face, and give him a hard hug. He squeals but then laughs.

"You did it again! We have all of this because of you," I say, still hugging him.

"I didn't do this alone. I had tons of help. Valentina gave us ideas based on what she has seen at other festivals, and Luna and Joan called suppliers non-stop. Jax and Ash asked the store owners of the Boulevard for help. They will lend us employees to give out flyers and leis. The owner of the juice bar and the coffee place asked for t-shirts for his employees. Everybody is in the spirit to cheer for the team."

"Guys, I got the program. You are in the second heat of tomorrow at one in the afternoon," Dad reads from a paper. "Skye has been paired with Anthony, Dax to Max, and Kay with Corey. Three rides on each set."

"Your theory is right, Dylan," Dax puts a hand on his shoulder. None of us saw this, and he did.

"You have trained with Anthony. He is no Kahuna and can make mistakes. Stop looking so bummed!" Dad says irritated.

"I'm here, and I bring help."

Ash comes in the tent with Colin and Henri. Lottie stayed at the store with Sadie to help with Boy.

"I understand why you brought this one as he is sort of your grandkid," Skye points at Henri, making the boy grin. "But why is this one here?" he looks at Colin.

"Jax needs an assistant and you need a caddie, so I brought Colin. He is shit in the water, but he knows about surfing," Ash says, and Colin rolls his eyes. Ash smacks him in the head after noticing. "Now, this one will be a Kalani soon," Ash looks fondly at Henri. "He is old enough to run errands for Jax."

We all look at Dax, who has wide eyes and is turning red. Dylan told us that Ross and him are getting married, but it seems there will be more than one wedding.

"Oh... they don't know it yet? Oops!" Ash grins cheekily.

"Dude! What the fuck? I'm your bro! Why you didn't tell me?" Skye punches Dax's arm.

"I asked her right before Oceancrush's party," Dax rubs his arm. "Only Joan noticed the ring. We asked her to keep it quiet."

"Joan knew it? JOAN!" Skye walks towards her while we congratulate Dax. Joan looks at him with a lifted eyebrow and a tired face.

"Hey Henri, what do you think about Dax marrying your auntie? He will become your dad," I say to Henri, who has been watching our conversation with a curious face.

"It's cool," he shrugs, but can't hide his happiness. "Boy will be my brother."

"Henri and Colin, this way!" Joan gets clothes from another box.

The boys head to get their uniforms and I look again at the schedule. If we make it through, we will have quarter finals by the end of the week and semifinals the following. If we don't make it, at least we will have the rest of the competition to watch the other teams.

"The judges will look for maneuvers that show speed, control, risk and commitment on the wave you pick. You need to think fast. Remember, a bigger wave is not necessarily a better wave. Get the most out of the wave you pick. The best two out of the three rides count for the surfer score. The score of the three surfers make the team average. Understood?" Dad says and we all nod.

I hear muffled screams and giggles. A bunch of teenage girls stand by the entrance of the tent. They squirm and look crazy. I don't know about the other guys but I feel uncomfortable.

"What is that?" Dax looks at them with a terrified face.

My dad chuckles and walks to them. One girl talks to him and points at us. He looks back at us, then at the girl, and says something to her. They all scream.

"I think you guys have fans," Joan says from behind us.

"That is bogus. People come to see Anthony and the other guys, not us," Skye says.

"Believe whatever you want. After what Valentina told us, I think anything is possible," Joan shrugs.

Dad walks back towards us.

"Guys, the ladies will be honored if you can sign stuff for them," my dad tries to hide a smile.

"Are you serious?" Dax still watches them.

"Here you go guys," Joan gives us a bunch of markers and a pack of posters.

"We have posters?" I inspect them. The poster has photos of us doing awesome-looking maneuvers.

"Derek recommended a photographer and a graphic designer. The guy took the photos during the last training and we had them made," Dylan says. He sports a satisfied smile.

This is a surreal situation. A lawyer, an instructor, an investor and a librarian, stand in a VIP tent at a professional surfing competition. We each grab a small pack of posters and a marker and walk to the girls. We sign the posters, pose for pictures and exchange hugs. More people join and we send Henri to get us more posters. We get tons of good wishes, and the girls tell us they will come to cheer for us tomorrow. I feel so damn happy.

"Well... well... Kalani is getting a taste of fame," Max parts the crowd and sniggers. "Don't get used to it. It won't last long," Corey joins him, but his expression shows annoyance.

"Go to hell, Max," Skye says.

"Hell? Isn't that where I've lived in the past weeks? This hell hole, shit place called Sea Glass. I can't wait until I get my prize so I can get out of here."

Corey's face turns into a scowl and walks away, leaving Max behind.

"Enjoy it while it lasts Kalani. Well, it will only last until tomorrow," Max laughs and turns to leave.

We are all furious, but our bad humor changes quickly. The girls begin a chant: Max is crap... Max is crap... We all laugh and join in.