HiLevel Profile
By Brad Yates

Lieutenant Mark Cunningham of the City & County of Honolulu Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services Division is an exceptional person. Winner of this year's Pipeline Body Surfing Classic, Cunningham reflects, "My relationship with the ocean is 99% fun and fitness and 1% competition." At 44, Cunningham speaks with modesty regarding his victory and career. "I love to swim, bodysurf, surf and paddleboard. I treasure time in the water; it's invigorating, it keeps me feeling alive. Competition serves as a benchmark for where I am in my over-all fitness and ability to focus." Simple statement yet complex in meaning when you consider the recognition that he has received during the past 25 years. The image of him body surfing at the Pipeline is forged in the minds of those lucky enough to have witnessed his special talent.

Standing 6'4" his longs arms and angular body give him the appearance of being much taller. In the water, he has the uncanny ability to get into the fastest part of the wave and extend, shape and torque his body for maximum speed. His skill as a lifeguard and his victories in body surfing, rough water swims and paddleboard races demonstrate clearly that he is a well-rounded ocean athlete and intense competitor. Yet Cunningham downplays his ability. "For almost 20 years, I had the privilege of living and working at the Pipeline. During that time, my life revolved around doing what I loved to do most… swimming through the line-up at the Pipeline and getting waves. I'm just a guy that loves to have fun in the ocean and stay healthy. So many others have done more and given more."

Pushing to find the secret to his longevity I found a man at peace with himself. "When my promotion at work took me off the beach and put me behind a desk at headquarters in town, I struggled to find a balance between work, marriage and my relationship with the ocean. I quickly discovered that I HAD to find time for the water, I had to maintain a decent level of fitness. I needed to feel the excitement of good surf, the power of the waves and the relaxation and serenity that the ocean provides for me." "So how important was this win?" I asked. "Very, I was so stoked," came his reply, and with it a glimpse at his intensity. "I haven't won the event in nearly 10 years and I needed to prove to myself that I could still train hard, focus and win." "Nice going," I said more than a little impressed. "Hey," he countered with a smile; "I don't have that many chances left." From all accounts, the subtle blend of strength, grace and endurance that have earned him the reputation as possibly the best body surfer ever are still intact.

Mark Cunningham has the humility to be grateful, the wisdom to know what is important, and the fire to win. Standing in front of an auditorium of 7th & 8th grade students he urges them to, "Stay fit, follow your heart, do what you love to do and make safety a priority." A lifeguard turned teacher, he's a person made whole by his ability to stay true to his passion and give back. Bravo! Mark Cunningham and thanks for sharing your gift. That's HiLevel.