Long live the little boy!

Not since the last time he visited, back in 2006, has the North Pacific had such a great winter for waves. In fact, it's been called the best winter since the famed season of 1997-98. The whole west coast of North America has been bombarded by swell and Hawaii, as expected, has also had a bumper season.

Ben Lee made the pilgrimage and photographed some of the little boy's handywork. //STUART NETTLE