Welcome to Paradise, Now Go to Hell

A True Story of Violence, Corruption, and the Soul of Surfing

De: Chas Smith, Joan Jett - foreword

Narrado por: Chas Smith

Welcome to Paradise, Now Go to Hell is surfer and former war reporter Chas Smith's wild and unflinching look at the high-stakes world of surfing on Oahu's North Shore - a riveting, often humorous, account of beauty, greed, danger, and crime.

For two months every winter, when Pacific storms make landfall, swarms of mainlanders, Brazilians, Australians, and Europeans flock to Oahu's paradisiacal North Shore in pursuit of some of the greatest waves on earth for surfing's Triple Crown competition. Chas Smith reveals how this influx transforms a sleepy, laid-back strip of coast into a lawless, violent, drug-addled, and adrenaline-soaked mecca.

Smith captures this exciting and dangerous place where locals, outsiders, the surf industry, and criminal elements clash in a fascinating look at class, race, power, money, and crime, set within one of the most beautiful places on earth. The result is a breathtaking blend of crime and adventure that captures the allure and wickedness of this idyllic golden world.

©2013 Chas Smith (P)2020 Tantor

Real

Good listen
I lived Chaz's North Shore experience in the 80's for about 17 years.
It was the Balls I have so many crazy intense soul filling memories !
Thanks Chaz but beat u to it I just wasn't keen enough to write a book.
I actually took on Heavier than you.
Hawaiian Mana is Real !!!
Thank you Hawaii Nea!

Another view of the the surf industry and the north shore

Chaz is a good writer with a sense of social intelligence of a complex local North Shote hierarchy. Worth a read.

If you are a true Surfer you must surf on the North Shore, Once

This is an excellent book, which documents the intricacies of the violent realities that exist for any surfer who feel they have the mettle, thevbravery and enough mental screws loose in their mindset to endure the alpha male dominated, day to night 24 hour chose and drama. I liken this book to Jon Krakauer’s, “In to Thin Air,” an adventure nonfiction book about similar in chaos and drama that unfolds while climbing mount Everest. That's a tall order to claim, I know! However, being a surfer and mountainer myself, I can relate to the this amazing piece of journalism. Plus the narration is done by author, Chas Smith. He is remarkable in telling his story.

a truly entrancing novel.

having no background to surfing, and never even seeing the Pacific, this book kept me.
as much as it follows one man, this book truly is the voice of hundreds. engaging from the point of several cultures and where they meet. time to visit Hawaii with a new found respect, and hesitancy.

Amazing

Loved everything about this book. I’m a lover of Oahu! I’ll forever look at the North Shore from a new perspective. I felt like I was night next to the author!
Amazing writer!

Him learning about north shore

I am learning how to surf on Oahu. And books like this totally help with why I want to learn.

Pink Button Down

Finished it in 2 or 3 days. I found it really interesting. . . .

Huh, we’ll damn

I get Chaz now. He writes very well, but not sure if he’s brave or stupid

If you surf this is the book for you

The most fun book of you have ever followed the WSL or how it used to be known as the ASP. North shore folk lore is our Greek mythology.

A wake up call for any wanna-be pro surfers...

Amazing insight into the racism of the Hawaiian people on the North Shore. What is a "haole" supposed to do when he's standing in a room full of natives, and one decides to sucker-punch him in the face for no reason? Nothing, apparently, if he wants to walk out of there eventually.

The author seems to worship these violent idiots for some reason that I don't understand. Self preservation? Not sure. Very interesting glimpse into a dark subculture though.