Hailey had Lasik too!

Photo by Rob Born

Like my identical twin sister, Sierra, I have been wearing contacts and glasses for over 10 years now. My sister and I surf and often have to be in and out of the ocean for long periods of time when we're doing photo shoots. It became a hassle to carry extra lenses with me in case one fell out. After long days at the beach my contacts would feel glued to my eyes. My contacts also became a hassle when I needed to stay up late or wake up early to study for finals or to finish essays. After the Spring quarter of my junior year at UCSB, I had had enough. When I came home for the summer to Santa Cruz, I scheduled an appointment with Dr. Bailey at the Plager Vision and Optometric Center.

I have had a few previous Optometrists and not one had suggested Lasik to me until I saw Dr. Bailey. I was born with congenital cataracts and had undergone lens replacement surgery when I was twelve. I had no idea that I was even a candidate for Lasik surgery until I talked it over with Dr. Bailey. Sierra had undergone the surgery about a month earlier and was ecstatic with the results. That day I scheduled my appointment to have Lasik surgery with Dr. Furlong of Furlong Vision Correction.

Today, my vision is perfect at 20/20 and I couldn't be happier. I can't believe I didn't do this sooner! I no longer have to deal with the hassle of contacts or glasses. My eyes feel great because they are no longer irritated from constant contact wear. Dr. Furlong and his staff couldn't be nicer or more comforting. I was a little nervous before the procedure but it was over so quickly and Dr. Furlong's reassurance kept me calm the whole time. I would definitely recommend choosing Dr. Furlong to anyone who is considering Lasik surgery.

My Wonderful Lasik Experience!

Before - I always having to wear glasses or contacts

After - No more contacts or glasses!! (Photo by David Pu'u)

For the past 10 years I have worn glasses and contacts to be able to see. When I did sports like surfing, stand up paddling, yoga and running I had to wear contacts. It was always such an inconvenience to wear contacts out in the ocean because they would really irritate my eyes, fog up and even sometimes fall out. Just in the past year, wearing contacts became so bothersome to my eyes. Sometimes I would avoid going surfing just because I did not want to wear contacts knowing that my eyes would become irritated and feel painful.

Through my primary eye doctor, Dr. Bailey of Plager Vision and Optemetric Center, I found out about Lasik. I have even had a history of cataract surgery and thought I would not be a candidate, but Dr. Bailey assured me that Lasik would work very well for me.

I had Lasik just about a week ago performed by Dr. Furlong of Furlong Vision Correction and I have to say it was the best experience and one of the best decisions I have ever made. Dr. Furlong answered all my many questions, took his time making sure everything had gone well with the procedure, and was very comforting during the very short surgery.

I got to go surfing yesterday with my new vision and it was great! My eye sight feels even better than before and my eyes are so comfortable now. I really can't say enough wonderful things about the Lasik procedure by Dr. Furlong I would recommend it to everyone.

Thank you to everyone at Furlong Vision Correction and at Plager Vision and Optometric Center!

To learn more about Lasik visit Furlong Vision Correction 
And visit Plager Vision and Optometric Center

Sacred Craft Trade Show – March 19 – 20, 2011

The Sacred Craft Trade Show in Santa Cruz was an amazing weekend, full of soul, surf boards, nostalgia, old friends and stoke. We were lucky enough to be able to help out our good friend and sponsor, Donna the owner and designer of Betty B jewelry. The Betty B booth was absolutely beautiful. It had a gorgeous layout of jewelry and photos by David Pu’u of the Betty B team on various trips around the world. To our delight many happy customers went away with gorgeous jewelry and a few customers even bought our designs, Delphinidae designed by Sierra and Compassion designed by Hailey.

Along with helping out in the Betty B booth, we were able to catch up with friends, share stories and watch legendary board shapers doing what they do best. We also had the opportunity to meet many of our Dad’s friends from out of town that he has surfed with over the years.

Hobie Spring/Summer 2011 Swimwear Shoot

We have been modeling for Hobie awimwear since the tender age of 16. We've been a part of the Hobie "family" for a little over 5 years now. Renowned photographer, David Puu, has shot every annual swimwear shoot for them. By now, we consider David our "second Dad" because of the close bond we now share. It's amazing what can happen by chance. The only reason we are athletes for Hobie is because of David. It's a interesting story of how it all began. We had known David for only a few months when he called us to see if we could fill in for a model who Hobie had originally hired for their shoot but had dropped out last minute. We were 16 and still in our "ugly duckling stage" but we jumped at the chance to do it. We went over to Maui two weeks later and were immediately welcomed into the Hobie family. I literally had no idea what I was doing regarding the modeling aspect because this was only my second photo shoot. But in short, we created some amazing images and we've been working with David and Hobie ever since. Working with David on these past shoots, we've swam with wild dolphins, stand-up paddled in shore break and ridden horses bareback (in swimsuits I might add) on the beach in 40 mph winds.

This last shoot was scheduled literally the night before because we were avoiding an oncoming storm front and trying to get the shoot done before our finals week at UCSB. Like most swimwear shoots, this was in November when the weather isn't exactly "warm". But as usual, we pulled it off and Hobie came away with some amazing images. Thanks to Donna Von Hoesslin of Bettybelts for styling and makeup, Sean Douglas of Hobie for planning and dealing with our crazy schedules, Carrie Seifert of Manhattan Beachwear for organizing "everything in between" and to David for your tireless efforts.

Below are some shots from the shoot. All photos are copyright davidpuu.com

This is a photo from our shoot on Maui in 2005, things haven't changed much :)