HiLevel Profile: CHINA UEMURA
By Brad Yates
"I want to give back to the community that helped save my life." This is the voice of Roy Uemura, lovingly known in the surfing world as China. China and I are sitting at Kawalo's, the scene of a recent contest; one of the many that he and his wife Francine, organize and run for the HASA. China is telling me about the fire of his youth, the anger and the rage that he felt growing up. China in his own words "was headed down a path of destruction." A path that was about pain, the pain associated with the death of several key people in his life. The path led him to drugs and violence, the drugs helped to kill the pain, but the drugs eventually led to violence. Today, China's fire burns brighter than ever; only now the energy is extremely positive, an intense desire to care for his family and a passion to give back to surfing.
China credits Myra Aikau and his sponsors for keeping him surfing at a time when he needed it most. "Myra would literally bail me out of jail and take me back to the beach to surf and my sponsors convinced me to quit the drugs and clean up my act." The success China experienced as an amateur and as a professional gave him the outlet he needed to express his fire in a positive manner. "Surfing in competition saved me from myself, without it the negative energy would have won." China credits his wife Francine for giving him the strength to become the kind and generous man he always wanted to be. "No question, Francine is my source of strength, she believed in me when I didn't, she deserves most of the credit for the good we do."
When the subject of organizing contests comes up, China is quick to source his mother. "I had just won a major contest and I must have been acting kind of cocky because my mother jumped all over me. I can still see and feel her saying that I shouldn't just take from surfing, that I should remember my roots and the people who supported me and give something back. By chance I organized a fun meet at 'Big Rights,' no entry forms or heats, just show up and surf." That was the beginning and 20 years later China's name is linked forever with surf contests that promote intense competition, while supporting good sportsmanship and family values.
China and Francine spend countless hours each week working with judges and sponsors, getting permits, collecting entry forms and setting up heats, coordinating the event, tallying the points and giving out the awards. All of which is done in the true spirit of Kokua, the spirit of giving. In the words of Jack Shipley, "China is the Mayor of Waikiki, he has done more for competitive surfing on the South Shore than can be imagined." Again, China is quick to source his support. "Francine handles the books, manages the money, my kids Kekoa and Kanoe chip in and my staff and sponsors are always there when we need them. For all of us this is a family affair." The family China refers to include thousands of surfers who have participated in his events over the years.
Humble man, simple pleasures; pushed to reflect on his life and the contribution he has made to surfing, "I'm lucky to be alive; I will never forget where I came from." Pushed for his message to young people, "learn to be you and like it, don't follow anyone and stay in school." Being with China is easy; he is very comfortable with his success and not affected by it. Seeing him in action, working non-stop to put on a good contest and he loves every minute. I got to see first hand how much the surfers appreciate and respect him. China has found a way to contribute to the people and sport he loves and in turn they love him. That's HiLevel!