In Production:
The “Helmets Rule” Television/Video Program

  Ray Hollowell’s near death experience on the North Shore of Oahu on December 31st 2002 has inspired him to produce a documentary encouraging people to use protective headgear while performing various sports.

  Hollowell has teamed up with the Boys and Girls Club of Hawaii and secured distribution to schools nationwide and millions of viewers via PBS Hawaii and the Florida Knowledge Network.

 “Helmets Rule” will be a 30minute television program/video highlighting the exciting lifestyles of successful extreme sports athletes, focusing on the reasons they wear protective headgear when performing their sports. The program will convey a powerful message to viewers showing these athletes performing in some of the world’s most extreme conditions. A select few will tell how using a helmet helped protect them in life threatening situations.

   Interviews with IBIA specialists and other medical professionals specializing in head trauma will be a key factor in delivering an effective message to the audience. Interviews with head trauma victims and their families will help emphasize the importance of wearing headgear, even for the weekend sports person.

  These world renowned extreme sports athletes, ranging from a wide variety of sporting lifestyles who endorse helmet use, will surely encourage many viewers to wear protective head gear. Hollowell says, “even if only one person’s life is saved, the project will be worth the effort!”
Extreme Athlete Talent:
The following extreme sports athletes will appear in the “Helmets Rule” program.

Travis Mayer is the 2002 Winter Olympics Silver Medallist in the Men’s Freestyle Mogul Event. Rapid downhill speed on packed snow, big bumps and head crushing falls will show the viewer why Travis is a firm believer in using helmets.

 
 Garrett McNamara, Extreme Big Wave Surfing World Champion, will be featured tow surfing waves as tall as an eight story building in exotic locations such as Tahiti and Jaws on the island of Maui. Garrett is the father of two and when participating in sports, helmet use is mandatory for all family members.
Akoni Kama is a professional mountain boarder and pioneer of this new sport. He has been featured many times on national car and product commercials. Akoni participates in mountain boarding competitions worldwide in some of the world’s most rugged terrain.

Darryl Freeman, professional Downhill Speed Skateboarder, will show the audience how it feels to blaze downhill on a skateboard at speeds topping 70 m.p.h. Freeman is a regular on NBC Sports’ “Gravity Games” and winner of several medals, including Gold.
Jason Sussems is an up and coming mountain biker who has dreams of going pro one day. His passion for the sport shows in his acrobatic riding skills when attempting jumps that will leave the audience in awe. Like all of the athletes participating in this film, Jason’s had serious crashes where helmet use saved him from deadly head trauma.
Kainoa Kama is a professional Moto-Cross Freestyle Jumper who defies gravity by traveling at high speeds through the air, 35 feet high, for distances up to 80 feet long. While airborne he performs amazing tricks that will leave the viewer in disbelief. Kainoa recently suffered serious head trauma from an accident while practicing. He was knocked unconscious and went in to severe convulsions. Kama attributes helmet use to saving his life.
Susanna Sexton enjoys the exciting new sport of kite boarding. Though not a pro, she realizes the importance of head protection when landing big airs. She’s also a windsurfer and has had her share of wipeouts where headgear use has played an important role.

Liam McNamara, professional surfer, lives on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii where he is a regular standout at the Banzai Pipeline. Huge open ocean swells hit the dangerously shallow reef causing the waves to throw out and tube. McNamara is a master of making the steep drop, riding the tube for several seconds and getting spit out to the amazement of spectators on the beach. He’s sustained life-threatening injuries many times at Pipeline and is an avid user of helmets. As a parent of two children, Liam insists that they wear protective headgear, even if taking a quick bike ride to the local store.
Brandon McGlinn competes in wakeboard contests and finished first at the Hawaii Pro-Am Wakeboard Championships, Outlaw Division. Brandon says being pulled behind a boat at speeds near 30 m.p.h. busting a big air and hitting the water head first is not his idea of fun. He strongly urges the use of helmets when wakeboarding and viewers will agree after they see some of the wipeouts!

Ray Hollowell, a professional extreme sports producer/cameraman, specializing in action water sports. Ray films and produces exciting programming seen around the world. Hollowell's chilling testimony of his near death experience will solidify the importance of wearing protective headgear.
Emmeli HultQuist, a professional horse trainer/rider specializes in obstacle jumping, which at times can be very hazardous. She will share her story about a horse stepping on her head. Without her helmet, Emmeli probably wouldn’t be with us today.