2016 Rip Curl GromSearch International Final

Rip Curl GromSearch International final
Ala Moana Bowls, Oahu, Hawaii
3 - 6 May, 2016

Best groms from 7 regions around the world converge in Oahu to compete 

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 28 April, 2016 - World’s best junior surfers are getting ready to compete for the 2016 Rip Curl GromSearch International final at Ala Moana Bowls on Oahu, Hawaii.

Rip Curl GromSearch National Champions from 7 regions around the world, including Europe, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Indonesia, South Africa and South America will converge on the Hawaiian island to compete for the coveted International title.

Competition will take place at the grinding left-hander of Ala Moana Bowls, which is situated along the southern shores of the island of O’ahu and features a vast stretch of reef protected white sandy beaches. This prestigious event has a 4-day waiting period to allow the world’s best juniors to compete in the best available conditions. Competition waiting period: May 3rd – May 6th, 2016.
 

Competitors List:
Australia: Liam O'Brien & Sophia Fulton 
Brazil: Anderson Junior & Luara Thompson 
Costa Rica: Leilani McGonagle 
Europe (France): Mathis Crozon & Juliette Brice 
Hawaii: Wyatt McHale, Brisa Hennessy , & Summer Macedo
Indonesia: Rio Waida & Cinta Hansel 
New Zealand: Kehu Butler & Raiha Ensor 
South Africa: Koby Oberholzer 
USA: Nolan Rapoza

2016 Rip Curl GromSearch International Final

Rip Curl GromSearch International final
Ala Moana Bowls, Oahu, Hawaii
3 - 6 May, 2016

World's best juniors pushing each other into high performance surfing

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 4 May, 2016 - Day one of the 2016 Rip Curl GromSearch International Final kicks off in good, clean conditions today at Ala Moana ‘Bowls’, Hawaii.  With the local Hawaiian athletes hosting International surfers from 8 different countries, the competition was action packed straight from the start at this world famous wave.  

Local surfer and 2014 GromSearch International Champion Brisa Hennessy (HAW) took top seed for the girls division and carried that form into Round 1. With an electrifying performance Brisa locked in a 2 wave heat score of 19.27, including a perfect 10-point ride that earned her a place straight into the quarter finals.

“All the girls are ripping at this event so I was stoked to be able to lock in some scores. Plus, with only one other person out I got 2 good set waves, which never happens at Bowls” noted the local charger, regarding the competitors exclusive use of the line up.  

The boys division saw outstanding performances from Nolan Rapoza (USA) and Rio Waida (IDN) who locked in the highest heat totals of the day to secure their own quarter final appearance. Nolan using smooth forehand turns for two 8-point rides and Rio blasting the lip repetitively on his backhand.  

The individual highlight of the day was the aerial reverse from Koby Oberholzer (ZAF). Koby launched high above the lip, went into a full backhand rotation disappearing from view, only to reappear moments later from the whitewash with supporting cheers from the crowd.

The move epitomizes exactly what the GromSearch International competition is about, having the world's best juniors pushing each other into high performance surfing.

Competition results from Tuesday May 3rd:
 
Boys Division 
Round 2 (Elimination)
1: Anderson Junior (BRA) 10.00 eliminated Wyatt McHale (HAW) 9.34
2: Kehu Butler (NZL)16.93 eliminated Mathis Crozon (FRA) 14.66

Round 1
1: Nolan Rapoza (USA) 16.27 defeated Anderson Junior (BRA) 15.83
2: Koby Oberholzer (ZAF) 15.10 defeated Wyatt McHale (HAW) 14.00
3: Rio Waida (IDN) 15.34 defeated Mathis Crozon (FRA) 15.13
4: Liam O’Brien (AUS) 12.40 defeated Kehu Butler (NZL) 7.67
 
Seeding Round (combined 2 wave score)
1.        Anderson Junior (Brazil) 14.97
2.        Rio Waida (Indonesia) 14.37
3.        Kehu Butler (New Zealand) 14.33
4.        Wyatt McHale (Hawaii) 13.33
5.        Koby Oberholzer (South Africa) 12.30
6.        Liam O’Brien (Australia) 11.74
7.        Mathis Crozon (Reunion Island, representing France) - 11.60 
8.        Nolan Rapoza (USA) 10.13
 
Girls
Round 2 (Elimination)
1: Juliette Brice (FRA) 11.67 eliminated Sophia Fulton (AUS) 9.83
2: Raiha Ensor (NZL) 13.90 eliminated Luara Thompson (BRA) 5.90
 
Round 1
1 Brisa Hennessy (HAW) 19.30 defeated Sophia Fulton (AUS) 11.50
2 Cinta Hansel (IDN) 10.10 defeated Juliette Brice (FRA) 6.84
3 Summer Macedo (HAW) 15.10 defeated Raiha Ensor (NZL) 13.40
4 Leilani McGonagle (CRI) 14.50 defeated Luara Thompson (BRA) 7.24
 
Seeding Round (combined 2 wave score)
1.        Brisa Hennessy (Hawaii) - 15.84
2.        Summer Macedo (Hawaii) - 14.17
3.        Leilani McGonagle (Costa Rica) - 11.34
4.        Cinta Hansel (Indonesia) - 8.90
5.        Juliette Brice (France) - 6.97
6.        Luara Thompson (Brazil) - 6.73
7.        Raiha Ensor (New Zealand) 6.6
8.        Sophia Fulton (Australia) 6.5

Competition will resume on the best day of waves in the remaining waiting period - May 4th - 6th, 2016.

Boys
Upcoming - Quarter finals
1 Nolan Rapoza (USA) v Koby Oberholzer (ZAF) v Anderson Junior (BRA)
2 Rio Waida (IDN) v Liam O’Brien (AUS) v Kehu Butler (NZL)
 
Girls 
Upcoming - Quarter finals
1: Brisa Hennessy (HAW) v Cinta Hansel (IDN) v Juliette Brice (FRA)
2: Summer Macedo (BRA) v Leilani McGonagle (CRI) v Raiha Ensor (NZL)

 
2016 Rip Curl GromSearch International Final

Rip Curl GromSearch International final
Ala Moana Bowls, Oahu, Hawaii
3 - 6 May, 2016

A boys and girls champion will be crowned by the early afternoon tomorrow

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 6 May, 2016 - With conditions not ideal at Ala Moana Bowls, the 2016 Rip Curl GromSearch International Final was put on hold for the day. Today's lay day allowed the groms to go on the adventure of a lifetime to the surfing mecca of Hawaii, the North Shore. 

With rumors of a large swell, the groms were full of excitement and anticipation, ready to charge whatever was sent their way. On arrival the groms were greeted with 4-6ft clean conditions from Pipeline to Rocky Point. 

After the session it was time to refuel at the local Banzai Bowls, explore the neighboring surf breaks, then straight back out for the afternoon session.

Competition will resume tomorrow with a 7AM call for a potential 7:30AM start, where a boys and girls champion will be crowned by the early afternoon.

Upcoming - Boys Quarterfinals

1:  Nolan Rapoza (USA) v Koby Oberholzer (ZAF) v Anderson Junior (BRA)

2:  Rio Waida (IDN) v Liam O’Brien (AUS) v Kehu Butler (NZL)

Upcoming - Girls Quarterfinals

1:  Brisa Hennessy (HAW) v Cinta Hansel (IDN) v Juliette Brice (FRA)

2:  Summer Macedo (HAW) v Leilani McGonagle (CRI) v Raiha Ensor (NZL)

Surfline Official Forecast:  New SSW swell fills in further and tops out by the afternoon. 2-3’ 

2016 Rip Curl GromSearch International Final

Rip Curl GromSearch International final
Ala Moana Bowls, Oahu, Hawaii
3 - 6 May, 2016

Leilani McGonagle and Kehu Butler take runner up positions

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 7 May, 2016 - Nolan Rapoza (USA) and Brisa Hennessy (HAW) win in the best conditions of the event. With continued momentum Brisa Hennessy (HAW) took control of her semi-final heat against Raiha Ensor (NZL), with a series of backhand re-entry maneuvers Brisa finalized the heat on a total heat score of 11.17 to advance through.

Leilani McGonagle (CRI) was in the following semi-final against France native Juliette Brice. With a slower heat on offer, McGonagle got busy locking in a 6.10 and a 4.83, finishing out the heat with a 10.93 total score, over Brice’s 7.13 points.

Nolan Rapoza needed his best performance of the event to overcome Rio Waida (IDN) in the semi-finals, who had locked in an 8.50 on his opening ride, applying early pressure to the American. Nolan answered back with a near perfect ride of 9.83, advancing him to the final with a total heat score of 17.66.

In the next semi-final Kehu Butler (NZL) had to overcome the dangerous Koby Oberholzer from South Africa, who had been in outstanding form throughout the event. It took two excellent scores from the Kiwi (18.04 points out of 20) to progress to the final.

Before the finals got underway, local legends Mason Ho, Fred Patacchia and Mikey Bruneau paddled out with the groms for two 30-minute expression session heats, presented by Skullcandy.  This gave the surfers a great opportunity to compete against each other one more time in the event, whilst the finalists rested for their upcoming heats.

With conditions pulsing the women's final hit the water, between the 2014 Champion Brisa Hennessy, and defending 2015 Champion Leilani McGonagle, competition was fierce. Brisa opened with a 7.83 after connecting a set wave through to the inside bowl, and backed it up with 3.73. Leilani soon followed with a 5.00 and 5.73, but it wasn’t enough to take the lead, leaving Brisa Hennessy the 2016 Rip Curl GromSearch International Champion. 

“I can’t even explain my emotions” said Brisa, “this means the world and just being on the board again is incredible, and all these names I look up to so much.  The final was kind of tricky, but I look up to Leilani a bunch and we are such good friends, so I am just so happy“.

Next in the water was the highly contested boys final, Nolan Rapoza versus Kehu Butler. Nolan started with a bang, locking in a 8.50 on his second wave of the heat after connecting a string of forehand maneuvers, putting Kehu on the back foot within the opening minutes. Although securing a 6.83 and a 5.33 for a total heat score of 12.16 points, the American was too strong, finishing the day on 13.17 points. 

“I am stoked, I just felt good today and I wanted to keep the roll going, the waves were kind of slow in the final, but I guess the pieces are put where they were and that’s how it ended up,” said Nolan in his post heat interview.

Girls
Final: 1st Brisa Hennessy (HAW) 11.36, 2nd Leilani McGonagle (CRI) 10.73

SF 1: 1st Brisa Hennessy (HAW) 11.17, 2nd Raiha Ensor (NZL) 7.30

SF 2: 1st Leilani McGonagle (CRI) 10.93, 2nd Juliette Brice (FRA) 7.13

Boys
Final: 1st Nolan Rapoza (USA) 13.17, 2nd Kehu Butler (NZL) 12.16

SF: 1st Nolan Rapoza (USA) 17.66, 2nd Rio Waida (IDN) 15.50

SF: 1st Kehu Butler (NZL) 18.04, 2nd Koby Oberholzer (ZAF) 10.17
 

Skullcandy Expression Session
Girls: 1st Juliette Brice (FRA) 2nd Summer Macedo (HAW)

Boys: 1st  Koby Oberholzer (ZAF) 2nd Mathis Crozon (FRA)

Rip Curl would like to thank all of the supporting sponsors Skullcandy, Surfline, Banzai Bowls, Wahoos, Posca and Surfing Magazine, along with the local Ala Moana community for welcoming the GromSearch to their home break.

Oahu's own, Mikala and Daniel Jones, wanted to re-create an image of their father surfing Ala Moana Bowls on his custom red single fin. During the session, Daniel caught a giant close out and unfortunately broke his father’s board. He was crushed.

The Jones Family rode that red single fin, hand-crafted by their father growing up as kids in Hawaii. It held a lot of meaning and significance to the Jones brothers. This is the story about family, tradition, perseverance and in turn the shaping and re-creation of the original red bird board. 

Local Motion Surf Into Summer                                

WSL Men's QS1,000 
Ala Moana Bowls, Honolulu, Oahu  
26 - 31 May, 2016

96-man field comprised mainly of local surfers and gives priority to regional athletes

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 13 May, 2016 - Haleiwa, Oahu - Few places in Hawaii are as iconic as Oahu’s South Shore. Waikiki, Diamond Head, The Duke statue – these symbols all are part of a legacy that is steeped in surfing. Part of this Hawaii imprint is the long-standing household name Local Motion, a surf lifestyle brand founded in the Islands in 1977. The company embodies the coastal-living roots and aloha spirit of Honolulu for the past 31 years as host to an event that weaves surf history even deeper into Hawaii’s framework.

Local Motion Surf Into Summer Presented by RVCA returns this May 26 – 31 to provide a platform for amateur and pro surfers to showcase their talent in an upper echelon of competition. With young guns like Noah Hill, 14, and Finn McGill, 15, and seasoned pros like Derek Ho, 51, and Myles Padaca, 45, claiming slots in the 96-man Pro field, the contest is a clash of generations that spans nearly forty years.

Some of the world’s best the likes of Keanu Asing, Sunny Garcia, Zeke Lau and Joel Centeio – all who call Oahu home – have worked their way through the professional ranks, starting with Local Motion Surf Into Summer. A handful of the athletes have gone on to compete in the World Surf League (WSL) Samsung Galaxy Championship Tour, the most prestigious tier of professional competitive surfing in the world.

The long-standing event has offered regional surfers valuable ratings points and qualification opportunities for over three decades in the heart of Honolulu. And as of last year, united with WSL to add a QS1,000-rated event to the holding period, which affords even more opportunity for aspiring and pro surfers. The Local Motion Surf Into Summer Presented by RVCA also bodes well for qualification into the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing.

"Local Motion is proud to continue the relationship with WSL in providing a high quality pro event for Hawaii surfers and the Pacific region," said Local Motion GM Tim Mock. "Local Motion Surf into Summer has a great history as an amateur event and our goal is to continually improve and provide a quality competitive experience for both amateur and pro surfers. Teaming up with the WSL not only assists pro surfers with an additional event - hosting both amateur and pros at the same venue - but also provides a setting in which both can learn and be inspired."

The 96-man field is comprised mainly of local surfers and gives priority to regional athletes, but also sees Barbados, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, US, Peru, French Polynesia, Taipei, Japan and Mexico fighting for representation in the competition. Centeio, who placed first in last year’s Pro event, will return to defend his title and battle against some of Hawaii’s best.

“It’s really awesome to see Local Motion step up and support Hawaiian surfing,” said Centeio. “I can speak for the surfers and were all super grateful that we get to surf another great event, especially at Bowls. So thank you Tim and crew at Local Motion!”

Held at the South Shore’s most iconic left-breaking wave, Ala Moana Bowls is known for its long, barreling surf that challenges athletes’ fundamentals. True to its namesake, the event epitomizes the shift in swells to the South Shore and celebrates the beautiful summer months of Honolulu.

The holding period falls within Memorial Day weekend and is expected to provide contestable waves for four full days of competition. Contest organizers will make a call based on waves and conditions by 6:45 am on each day of the holding period. Daily video and photo assets will be distributed to local news along with a press release for every ON day of the Pro competition.  

                 
Local Motion Surf Into Summer
Presented by RVCA

World Surf League Men's QS1000  
Ala Moana Bowls, Honolulu, Oahu  
26 - 31 May, 2016  

Event has run for many years at Honolulu's iconic Ala Moana Bowls 

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 20 May, 2016 - The Local Motion Surf Into Summer Presented by RVCA surfing event marks its 31st annual appearance at Honolulu’s Magic Island, where professional and amateur athletes converge at the infamous south shore wave known as Ala Moana Bowls.

For the second year in a row, Local Motion and World Surf League (WSL) have partnered to sanction Surf Into Summer a Qualifying Series (QS) 1,000 rated event, which will take place May 26 – 31, Memorial Day weekend. The forecast looks favorable for the competition to get underway on Thursday, Day 1 of the holding period.
 
One of eight QS competitions hosted by the WSL Hawaii/Tahiti Nui region, the Local Motion Surf Into Summer Presented by RVCA offers local surfers a much-appreciated opportunity to gain entry into the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing (VTCS), the prestigious trifecta of surf events that takes place along the North Shore of Oahu from November 12 – December 20.
 
The importance of qualification into this highly esteemed series is undoubtedly on every surfer’s mind as they approach the Local Motion Surf Into Summer, set to take place on the four best days of surf within the holding period.

Each year, athletes fight for ratings points at various QS events, and the upcoming ‘town’ event marks the halfway point of 2016. It will be a battle of talent and raw power at Ala Moana Bowls, with veterans like Kai Mana Henry (HAW) firing up the competition.
 
Henry, 37, is a Maui native and North Shore resident and currently sits second on the regional QS rankings behind 20-year-old Keoni Yan (HAW). Henry recently made victory at the Rangiroa Open Pro in Tahiti this past March and looks to continue his campaign this summer.
 
“My ultimate goal would be to win this event,” said Henry. “My equipment is on point and I feel great, but I wouldn't want to put too much pressure on myself, so if I make a few heats and secure a spot in the Vans Triple Crown that would mean the world to me. That's what it's all about - being shoulder to shoulder with the best of the best battling it out.” 
 
With 82 percent of the 96-man field declaring the Hawaii/Tahiti Nui region, Henry is one of many locals competing in the QS1,000 at Bowls. Just 17 percent of the competition is comprised of outside surfers, which include regions North America, Australasia, South America and Japan.

This stands to reason that the Local Motion Surf Into Summer Presented by RVCA is a true local grass roots event, created and perpetuated for the homegrown Hawaii/Tahiti Nui surfers.  
 
Henry will go against the youngest competitor in the Pro division, Noah Hill, 14, also from Maui. Hill saw similar success in Tahiti after his win at the Papara Pro Junior and while the teen sits 86th on the QS regional rankings, he is one of the top leaders on the Junior QS.

Other premier Hawaii athletes to look for in the Local Motion Surf Into Summer include defending champion Joel Centeio, 6x Vans Triple Crown champion Sunny Garcia, legendary surfer Bruce Irons, big wave brothers Koa & Makua Rothman, and decorated athlete Ian Walsh.

Mason Ho rides a 5'6" at huge Backdoor and a giant gun at good-sized Pipe. Then he takes to some disc-looking thing while exploring the outer reaches of the North Shore

Video News

Mason Ho reminds us he's the emperor of fun

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 26 May, 2016 - This next stop in Mason Ho’s “License to Chill” series finds Mr. Fun sampling a variety of famous and not-so-famous waves around his backyard on the North Shore.

Mason, feeling as comfortable here as anyone, gets creative with his equipment selection taking a 5’6” fish out in some serious Backdoor surf and also riding an extra-wide design at a rip-pable non-public right-hander.

The icing on the cake? Check his throwback values as he rides a huge gun at size-able Pipe.

Local Motion Surf Into Summer
Presented by RVCA

World Surf League Men's QS1000  
Ala Moana Bowls, Honolulu, Oahu  
26 - 31 May, 2016 

Maui's Dege O'Connell in fine form as event launches

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 27 May, 2016 - The Local Motion Surf Into Summer WSL Men’s QS1,000 event launched this morning with a competitive comeback from Dege O’Connell (HAW), who saw his first heat wins in three years after taking time off to recover from injury. The Local Motion Surf Into Summer is a critical event for professional surfers of Hawaii, as it offers them qualification into highly rated international competition.

O’Connell, from Maui, looked resilient in the shoulder-high surf and exploded off a set wave with powerful vertical hits for a 9.00 – the second highest score of the day – in Round 1. O’Connell’s wave set the bar for the morning, and surfers battled to find solid scores in the tricky conditions to progress into the next round.

“It felt good, I had a good rhythm,” said O’Connell. “I didn’t know I had a 9, I was hoping like a 7 or something… I got hurt two years ago and I’ve done like three contests and lost first round, so it just felt good to get the jersey on and win a heat again.”

The Maui surfer found another first place advancement in Round 2 ahead of Takayuki Wakita (HAW) after besting Enrique Turo Ariitu (PYF) and Bruce Irons (HAW). Dege will go against Billy Choi (HAW), Teoro Tahutini (PYF) and Kaimana Kinimaka (HAW) when the competition resumes.

“My goal is just to compete and enjoy it,” said O’Connell. “Maybe if I made the Final I’d make the Triple Crown, but I just want to surf.”

A new and rising SW swell produced clean conditions in the morning, but by mid day the winds picked up and proved challenging for competitors. The surfers had to exercise good judgment on wave selection to find mid-range scores.

The highest score of the day, a 9.4, went to Jake Marshall (USA) for quick, precise surfing on a set wave. The Encinitas, California native eliminated defending event winner (and his team manager), Joel Centeio (HAW) in the first heat of Round 2 after advancing in first from Round 1.

“As far as an up and coming surfer, he’s amazing,” said Centeio, 33, of Marshall, 17. “I’ve been watching him surf since he was like 11 years old in California. So I knew going into the heat that he was really, really good and he could post big scores. So for me, I’m really stoked because he’s one of our team riders and I’m just stoked to see the younger guys do well.”

Although Centeio’s campaign was stopped short, he, like most surfers here today, looked to gain valuable ratings points to qualify for the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. With a win at the Hawaiian Pro in 2009, the athlete talked about the difference between competing on the North Shore versus South Shore.

“I feel like the North Shore you’re usually battling the elements and just trying to compete because it’s so big and it can be scary at times. But Ala Moana Bowls it’s super playful, it’s rippable. A little less pressure in a way, but still that anxiety of just competing itself kind of gets you. I love doing them both, I feel pretty comfortable at both venues so I’m just excited to be surfing.”

Results: Surfers shown in order of 1st – 4th. Athletes from Hawaii unless noted.

Round of 64

1st and 2nd to next round, 3rd = 33rd place, 4th = 49th place

H1: Kekoa Bacalso, Jake Marshall (USA), Derek Wong, Joel Centeio

H2: Travis Beckmann, Eli Olson, Imaikalani deVault, Koa Yokota

H3: Gavin Gillette, Noa Mizuno, Bruce Mackie (BRB), Barron Mamiya

H4: Braiden Maither (AUS), Derek Ho, Hank Gaskell, Ulualoha Napeahi

H5: Billy Choi, Alex Pendleton, Kainoa Haas, Kona Oliveira

H6: Dege O’Connell, Takayuki Wakita, Turo Ariitu, Bruce Irons

H7: Mikey Bruneau, Teoro Tahutini, Evan Valiere, Koa Rothman

H8: Louis Gillick (AUS), Kaimana Kinimaka, Keijiro Nishi (JPN), Ian Walsh

H9: Kaulana Apo, Billy Kemper, Kai Matsumoto, Jason Shibata

H10: Kevin Sullivan, Luke Shepardson, Davin Torres-Jaime, Gregg Nakamura

H11: Kekoa Cazimero, Dj Joy, Paul Pugliesi (USA), Landon McNamara

Round of 96

1st and 2nd to next round, 3rd = 65th place, 4th = 81st place

H1: Jake Marshall (USA), Koa Yokota, Love Hodel, Facundo Carranza (ARG)

H2: Eli Olson, Kekoa Bacalso, Nick Mita, Gavin Sutherland

H3: Barron Mamiya, Derek Ho, Kalani Ross, Kawai Lindo

H4: Braiden Maither, Bruce Mackie (BRB), Tom Dosland, Rainos Hayes

H5: Alex Pendleton, Turo Ariitu (PYF), Kaisho Kato (JPN), Frank Chenault (USA)

H6: Dege O’Connell, Kainoa Haas, Johnny Noris (USA), Jud Lau

H7: Teoro Tahutini (PYF), Louis Gillick (AUS), Che Allan (BRB), Keoni Nozaki

H8: Keijiro Nishi (JPN), Koa Rothman, Flynn Novak, Ezra Sitt

H9: Jason Shibata, Gregg Nakamura, Kala Willard, Heifara Tahutini

H10: Davin Torres-Jaime, Ashley Keillah (AUS), Finn McGill, Christopher Bluthardt

H11: Paul Pugliesi (USA), T.J. Barron, Kai Mana Henry, Chandler Norton (USA)

H12: Chris Foster, Dj Joy, Luke Adolfson, Nainoa Surratt

H13: Sheldon Paishon, Tereva David (PYF), Isaac Stant, Keoni Picollo

H14: Joaquin Del Castillo (PER), Macy Mullen (TPE), Wyatt McHale, Dexter Preston (USA)

H15: Cody Young, Barak Maor, Logan Bediamol, Willie Safreed (USA)

H16: Shayden Pacarro, Edrick Baldwin, Kelson Lau, Joey Johnston

Local Motion Surf Into Summer
Presented by RVCA

World Surf League Men's QS1000  
Ala Moana Bowls, Honolulu, Oahu  
26 - 31 May, 2016 

Olson wins prestigious Local Motion Surf Into Summer

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 28 May, 2016 - Honolulu, Oahu - The North Shore’s Eli Olson (HAW) claimed his maiden victory in a nail-biting final against top surfers Billy Kemper (HAW), Noa Mizuno (HAW) and Kaulana Apo (HAW) at the Local Motion Surf Into Summer QS1,000 at Ala Moana Bowls.

In the true spirit of the event, Olson dedicated his win to big wave surfer and friend, Aaron Gold, who had a traumatic near-drowning experience in Fiji a week ago.
 
“Family and friends, anybody who knows me knows that means the world to me,” said Olson after the win. “You can’t put a price on family and friends. I’m just so happy that Aaron’s back with us, 100 percent healthy and back with his family, so this one’s for him for sure.”

Olson didn’t find a wave for the first 20 minutes of the Final, while Kemper and Mizuno battled back and forth for the lead and posted mid-range scores. With ten minutes on the clock, Olson bagged a 6.0 ride, paddled back out into position and was able to use priority for a set wave in the dying minutes of the heat. Using precision on his backhand, the 23-year-old edged ahead of Kemper for the win.
 
“I’m ecstatic. I’m so happy and I’m humbled and I’m honored and I’m just so stoked that that’s how it went down,” said Olson. “It was like the slowest heat of my life, I didn’t catch my first wave till 20 minutes in the heat, and then I managed to get a 6 and I was like ‘ahh I only got one wave there’s no way I’m going to get priority’. And then I lucked out and got one last set and it was all or nothing. I was like, ‘I’m either going to do good or fall’ and I put my all into it and I’m stoked it worked out.”

Kemper showed consistency in the small surf, despite his appetite for freight-train sized surf. From waves of consequence in Fiji and a recent win at the Peahi Challenge Big Wave event in December to the playful waves of Bowls, Kemper’s runner up finish bodes well on the vast range of talent in the professional pool of Hawaii surfers.

The goofy-footers of the Final, Mizuno, 17 and Apo, 18, were young standouts throughout the competition and ramped up the power on their way to the podium. Mizuno stayed busy in the 30-minute Final, while Kaulana posted the highest single wave score of the Final, a 7.50.
 
An equal standout of the day was Joaquin Del Castillo (PER), who impressed judges by earning the event’s only 10-point ride. The Peruvian cracked a big turn into an open frontside barrel and followed it up with another solid turn, and continued to drop big scores throughout the heat.

“So stoked for the 10,” said Del Castillo, 20. “I saw the wave and I think, ‘go or no go?’ but I like go. I make one maneuver, a barrel, then a carve, and it was good… I like the wave, it’s a good left.  We have a home break in Peru, I practice on a lot of the same waves like this. I’m stoked, I’m happy, I like Hawaii too.”
 
The Punta Hermosa local posted the second highest two-wave combined score of the event – a 17.75 and showed progressive flair in Round 3 when he landed a frontside full rotation for an 8.65. But it was not enough to over take the heat leader, Sheldon Paishon (HAW) who was on fire throughout Round 3. Paishon scored a 9.90 and 9.25 for a near-perfect 19.15 combined heat total, the highest of the event. The Makaha surfer advanced ahead of Ariihoe Tefaafana (PYF), Barak Maor and Del Castillo.
 
Taumata Puhetini (PYF), one of Tahiti’s top athletes, earned an equal seventh place finish, 395 regional points and $400 as the highest placing Tahitian in the competition. Puhetini, 29, traveled to Oahu on a scholarship award along with Enrique Turo Ariitu (PYF) and Heifara Tahutini (PYF), both who missed out in the early rounds.

“We had a great team,” said Puhetini. “Everyone surfed well, but sometimes in competition you cannot find good ones and just lose. But yeah we were a great team here… It’s a really great place and the weather is like the same in Tahiti, there’s some good waves too so was pretty good. We are all having fun here.”
 
Puhetini sees the value of competing here in Hawaii, and has enjoyed surfing Bowls at the Local Motion Surf Into Summer:
 
“It’s really important for myself and for all the Tahitians because now that we are with the Hawaii region, we can get more points this year and get more rating in the QS. So it’s really important.” This was Puhetini’s first time to Hawaii, but the surfer hopes to return for the HIC Pro in October.
 
 
Results
Surfers shown in order of 1st – 4th
Athletes from Hawaii unless noted.
 
1st - Eli Olson $2,500 and 1000 points
2nd - Billy Kemper $1,500 and 750 points
3rd - Noa Mizuno $1,100 and 560 points
4th - Kaulana Apo $900 and 525 points
 
Semifinals
1st and 2nd to Finals, 3rd = 5th and $600, 4th = 7th place and $400
SF1: Noa Mizuno, Eli Olson, Billy Choi, Kekoa Bacalso
SF2: Kaulana Apo, Billy Kemper, Kevin Sullivan, Taumata Puhetini (PYF)
 
Quarterfinals
1st and 2nd to Semifinals, 3rd = 9th place and $300, 4th = 13th place and $200
QF1: Kekoa Bacalso, Billy Choi, Takayuki Wakita, Braiden Maither
QF2: Noa Mizuno, Eli Olson, Dege O’Connell, Alex Pendleton
QF3: Kevin Sullivan, Billy Kemper, Ariihoe Tefaafana (PYF), Kaimana Jaquias
QF4: Taumata Puhetini (PYF), Kaulana Apo, Sheldon Paishon, Luke Shepardson

10th annual All-Military Surf Classic

HIC/Quiksilver All-Military Surf Classic
White Plains Beach, Oahu, Hawaii
5 - June 2016

Tyler Peterson, Brooks Koegel, David Zoblocki & John Dodge light up 

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 10 June, 2016 - Members of the U.S. Coast Guard took first place in three of five Active-Duty divisions this past Saturday at the HIC/Quiksilver All-Military Surf Classic, clinching the prestigious “Top Branch” Award for the Coast Guard.

Though small surf prevailed it couldn't dampen the fierce competitive spirit and camaraderie of the surfers at this annual event - which hit a milestone with it’s tenth year running at Oahu’s White Plains Beach. 

Presented by MWR-Hawaii, the event is open to active duty and retired US Military and Department of Defense personnel, retirees, and their dependents. Over one hundred and forty surfers competed in fifteen divisions, including Open and Active Duty categories for shortboard and longboard surfing.

It’s quite a family affair with competitors ranging from military retirees in their sixties to a quickly expanding keiki division for kids twelve years old and under. Many of these military families can be found each weekend surfing this same stretch of beach on the former Barber’s Point Naval Air Station.

The U.S. Coast Guard’s domination of the Active Duty divisions was led by first place finishers Johnny Dodge - 30 and over Longboard, Brooks Koegel - 30 and over Shortboard, and Tyler Peterson - 17 to 29 Shortboard. 

Other notable performances came from Logan Harris with her first place finish against the boys and girls of the Keiki division, Austin Prevatt who won the 13 to 17 Open Shortboard with high-performance small wave surfing, and Preeya Prasao who styled her way to first place in the Open Women’s Longboard division. Congratulations to all of the event champions and division finalists.

Final results: Active-duty Military :  

Men’s Shortboard - 17 to 29:

Tyler Peterson
John Ott
Zachary Borg
Daniel Jessurun
Kye Ball
Kyle Camoire

Men’s Shortboard - 30 & Over:

Brooks Koegel
Dane Casson
Bruce Sotire
Zac Pennebacke
Robyn Hamilton & Ari Nelson (Tied)

Men’s Longboard - 17 to 29

David Zoblocki
Marc Hernandez
David Gaylor
Colby Milhe
Robin Pietschmann
Ty Daniels

Men’s Longboard - 30 & Over

John Dodge
John Knight
Jake Kiyohara
Ron Johnson
Glenn Acevedo
Josh Bates

Women’s Longboard - All Ages

Lorna Blackburn
Julie Imahane
Melissa Cooper
Melissa Pascua

2016 Top Branch Award:  U.S Coast Guard

 
Open Divisions - Department of Depense: 

Keiki Boys & Girls - 12 & Under

Logan Harris
Helene Best
Jessi Velino
Caylem Best
Stone Stewart
Hannah Burnhill

Boy’s Shortboard - 13 to 17

Austin Prevatt
Gage Bowers
Nalu Paz
Jacob Jakovenko
Mark Guillot

Men’s Shortboard - 17 to 29

Hayden Bowers

Men’s Shortboard - 30 & Over

Dennis Yamada
Charles Heisey
David Long
Brent Hopson
Jessie Lacuesta

Women’s Shortboard - All Ages

Carmel Tomlinson
Monique Cleary
Kylee Norton
Arielle Paz
Jodi Dahlin
Lani Bergstrom

Women’s Longboard - All Ages

Preeya Prasao
Lori Gaynor
Kylee Kaczmarek
Tracey Velino
Kapua Wamberg
Heather Myers

Men’s Longboard 34 & under

Jimmy Covell
Jericho Piansay
Garrett Smoot
Nathan Smoot
Makena Magnani

Men’s Longboard - 35 to 49

Wendall Villanueva
Matt Pothier
Steve Prevatt
Raul Pacheco
Kirby Scarborough
Cory Cameron

Men’s Longboard - 50 to 59

Gino Bell
Layne Fitzpatrick
Robert Grover
Dennis kaczmarek
Charlie Flynn
Paul Bailey

Men’s Longboard - 60 & Over

Mike Nii
Jim Covell
John Weikum
Buster Kellum
Herb Pruse

Duke's Waikiki Longboard Pro

World Surf League Longboard Tour
Queens, Kuhio Beach, Waikiki, Oahu    
22 - 25 August, 2016

Longboard phenom Kai Sallas looks to defend title

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 11 August, 2016 - Professional longboarders will converge at Queens surf break from August 22 - 25 to showcase noseriding, cross-stepping and cutbacks at the Duke’s Waikiki Kane/Wahine Longboard Pro, Stop No. 7 on the World Surf League (WSL) Longboard Tour.

Part of Duke’s OceanFest - an annual ocean sports celebration honoring legendary Hawaiian surfer Duke Kahanamoku - the Duke’s Waikiki Longboard Pro is a qualifying event for both men and women. It is the only regional competition for Hawaii surfers to gain entry into the Jeep World Longboard Championship, which takes place in China this December.

Kahanamoku is being remembered in more ways than one this month. As a three-time Olympic gold medalist, the announcement of surfing officially being included in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics is a poignant stride in Duke’s wish for global recognition of his native sport. WSL Hawaii will host the Duke’s Waikiki Longboard Pro at Queens, notoriously known as the wave that Duke grew up surfing, and also celebrate what would have been his 126th birthday on August 24.

“The magnitude of being on Waikiki beach and competing for nine days honoring Duke is pretty special,” said Event Co-Chair Chris Colgate. “We have 20 different competitive events and incorporate in excess of 3,000 athletes. The array of events we have are indicative to Duke’s spirit of aloha, his inclusion of bringing people together and also his legacy.”

Colgate also mentioned that by partnering with WSL, Duke’s OceanFest is providing a sanctioned competition where local longboarders can qualify for the World Championships. “We’re approaching this an opportunity for the pros in Hawaii who maybe don’t have the means or sponsorship to travel to other events around the country, and potentially around the world, a qualifying event that gives them the ability to get into the Championships in China.”

Last year, longboard phenom Kai Sallas took the title in the men’s division at his home break and went on to place thirteenth in the 2015 World Longboard Championships. The Waikiki native was gracious in his praise of fellow competitors at the 2015 Duke's OceanFest.

“It felt more like an expression session rather than a heat where you have to battle for waves,” said Sallas. “Everyone was ripping and catching a lot of good waves.” Event organizers anticipate solid surf for this year’s event as well and will provide a swell forecast a week out.

Stacia Ahina (Kapolei), defending event winner in the women’s division, placed ninth at last year’s Championships in China. Although it wasn’t the result she was hoping for, the surfer felt it was an eye-opening experience that she looks forward to achieving again.

“Watching women from all over the world surf, it was amazing,” said Ahina. “The waves were good and the girls were even better than I even imagined on that scale. It was a good motivator. I got a taste of it and now I want to go back again.”

Along with Stacia, brother, Nelson Ahina, and sister, Ashley Ahina, stood atop the Duke’s Waikiki Longboard Pro podium last year with second and fourth place finishes respectively. A humble, hard-working ‘ohana, the Ahina’s epitomize Hawaii’s surfing lifestyle.

“It always brought the family together,” Ahina recalls.  “We grew up surfing because there’s so many of us - altogether there’s seven of us - and it was affordable. It was one of those things where everybody just went to the beach and we kind of took care of ourselves. My mom and dad brought boards and we surfed all day and just loved it.”  

Duke’s OceanFest is a nine-day ocean sports celebration that highlights everything from Menehune surf contests and the Wounded Warrior canoe regatta to beach volleyball, surf waterpolo, dog surfing and swimming competitions. 2016 marks the 15th anniversary of the outdoor festival, which is perpetuated by the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation.

SUP News

18-year Oahu native takes homes the Waterman title at this year’s event

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 15 August, 2016 - Mo Freitas, 18-year old Oahu native took home the winning title today at the first annual Waterman’s Festival, presented by paddleboarding legend Jamie Mitchell and Quiksilver.

Throughout the day, 131 contestants, including seasoned water athletes such as Connor Baxter, Lincoln Dews, Candice Appleby, Mo Freitas, Danny Ching, Annabel Anderson and Shae Foudy, in addition to fierce amateur competitors, groms as young as seven-years-old, partook in the open racing, traditional lifeguard events and newly formatted survivor races that allowed athletes in each bracket to push themselves.

“For this festival, we had the best SUP and paddle athletes in the world, the outcome was more than we ever envisioned. Ideal conditions, light onshore winds and little waves allowed for a seamless elimination format that kept the day’s competition exciting,” said Jamie Mitchell. “For me, more than anything, today was about the athletes – leveling out the playing field for individual competitors.”

Starting at 8 a.m. PST, the day began with a one-mile swim, followed by five- and one- mile Prone and SUP paddleboard races. Following the open races, six knockout format elite survivor races, which included swim, SUP and junior and senior lifeguard races, took place. Three Dash for Cash races closed out the day. 

The core of the event was the Survivor Race, debuted by Mitchell at the 2012 Waikiki Paddle Festival, a knockout event in which paddlers complete a series of one-lap sprints. The slowest finishers at the end of each lap were eliminated until the final duo, Mo Freitas and Toby Cracknell, went head-to-head in the last heat with Freitas ultimately taking home the Waterman title. In the women’s division, Shae Foudy took first place in the SUP Survivor race.

“The format is unbelievable. It shows all sports that are racing in the water: swimming, paddling, prone – it brings together all different athletes. It makes you push yourself harder, so you get time to rest. The elimination format is continuous sprinting,” said Freitas, today’s title winner. “I have never competed in a race like this before.”

Cultivated from Quiksilver’s deep paddleboarding roots, the Waterman Collection is a premium line of sportswear for men seeking quality clothing with a classic, outdoor aesthetic. The Waterman’s Festival, in partnership with Jamie Mitchell, is a testament to the quality and authenticity of the true watermen and women.

Duke's Waikiki Kane/Wahine Longboard Pro

World Surf League Men & Women's LQS1000
Queens, Kuhio Beach, Waikiki, Oahu     
22 - 25 August, 2016

Nelson Ahina & Honolua Blomfield win Hawaii regional qualifier for WSL Jeep World Longboard Championships

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 23 August, 2016 - It was a picturesque Finals day at world-famous Waikiki Beach for the Duke’s Waikiki Kane/Wahine Longboard Pro, withNelson Ahina (HAW) and Honolua Blomfield (HAW) taking the win at the World Surf League (WSL) Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) event.

This competition is the Hawaii regional qualifier for the prestigious WSL Jeep World Longboard Championship, and while Ahina was pre qualified for the Championship after his 12th place finish from last year’s event, Blomfield nabbed the sole regional spot in the Women’s division after her victory today.

The Men’s final came down to Ahina and defending event winner Kai Sallas (HAW), both who stayed focused during the wave lulls that filled the lineup. Ahina nabbed the first wave and scored an 8.0 and maintained the lead throughout the heat. With seven minutes left on the clock, Ahina used his priority to secure a 6.65 backup score and the win.

“It was really nerve-wracking,” said Ahina post-heat. “It’s hard to go against Kai first of all, and just to be in the Final and have it on the line is even more pressure. It just feels good to get out of there and successfully win it.”

Sallas, along with Ahina will travel to China in December to compete in the Jeep World Longboard Championship.

“(This win) is a motivator,” continued Ahina. “I haven’t won one in a long time and this is my second event of the year, so it feels good that I’m on the right page. Next up is Worlds… I know where I am so I’m really  motivated to go to China this year.”

In the Women’s division, Blomfield dominated the Final by taking an early lead and comboing opponent Megan Godinez (HAW) with a 9.8 and 9.15 – the highest combined wave totals of the event. Blomfield, 17, was extremely controlled and maintained flow on every wave, which was rewarded by the judges with excellent scores.

“I usually like to start off my heats by getting a wave, it doesn’t matter if it’s good or bad, just getting one on the board because then I feel more confident,” said Blomfield after the win. “I stayed on the inside to keep building my scores, and I was just having fun with it. There were good waves for our Final, and 30 minutes was perfect so I feel like it was fair and I just kept getting lucky with good waves.”

The Haleiwa surfer won this event three years ago and has come head to head with Godinez in the Finals in the past. Another victory here was on the bucket list for Blomfield, and the athlete now finds herself with a seed into the World Championship.

“This has been my goal to win this contest for the past few years, and I had to win it to make it to China so that’s what I’ve been working towards for a long time,” maintained Honolua. “I’ve been really psyching myself up for this contest so that I do well, I’m so happy… I feel like I’m on top of the world.”

At last year’s World Longboard Championship, Nelson Ahina, Kai Sallas and Ned Snow (HAW) placed 12th, 13th and 16th respectively in the competition, which granted them re qualification into this year’s event. Next in line to receive placement into the Championships was equal third place winner, Waikiki’s Kaniela Stewart and former World Longboard Champion Duane DeSoto (HAW).

Stewart, 15, was the second youngest competitor in the Men’s division and this year marks his third time competing in the Duke’s Waikiki Kane Longboard Pro.

“I’m so excited, just so hyped up and I’m thankful to go to China,” said Stewart, who hails from Waikiki. Brother to professional surfer Eala Stewart, the boys are both chasing a competitive career and Kaniela demonstrated his aptitude for the big leagues today at Queens.

The Duke’s Waikiki Kane/Wahine Longboard Pro is part of Duke’s OceanFest, a commemorative sporting series that honors legendary Hawaiian surfer and Olympian Duke Kahanamoku. Now in its 15th year of running, Duke’s OceanFest combines a variety of water and beach sports during its 9-day extravaganza and celebrates the Duke’s birthday each year on August 24.

Results
All surfers from Hawaii unless noted
Surfers shown in order of 1st through 4th

Men’s Final
1st – Nelson Ahina, $750 and 1,000 points
2nd – Kai Sallas, $350 and 750 points

Women’s Final
1st – Honolua Blomfield, $750 and 1,000 points
2nd – Megan Godinez, $350 and 750 points

Men’s Semifinals
SF1: Nelson Ahina, Kaniela Stewart
SF2: Kai Sallas, Ned Snow

Women’s Semifinals
SF1: Megan Godinez, Ashley Ahina
SF2: Honolua Blomfield, Sally Cohen (USA)

Men’s Quarterfinals (1st advances, 2nd=5th, $50 and 420 points)
QF1: Nelson Ahina III, Duane DeSoto
QF2: Kaniela Stewart, Makame DeSoto
QF3: Kai Sallas, Laakea Davis
QF4: Ned Snow, Maui Zack Meyers

Women’s Quarterfinals (1st advances, 2nd=5th place, $50 and 420 points)
QF1: Megan Godinez, Miku Uemura
QF2: Ashley Ahina, Kelta O’Rourke
QF3: Sally Cohen (USA), Tabatha Knudson (USA)
QF4: Honolua Blomfield, Sierra Lerback (USA)

Men’s Round of 16 (1st and 2nd advance)
H1: Nelson Ahina III, Kaniela Stewart, Scotty Fong Jr., Hiro Ito
H2: Makame DeSoto, Duane DeSoto, Fritz Belmoro, Nick Alexander
H3: Kai Sallas, Ned Snow, Micah DeSoto, Adam Lefebvre
H4: Maui Zack Meyers, Laakea Davis, Andre Derizans, Keegan Edwards

Men’s Round of 24 (1st and 2nd advance)
H1: Scotty Fong Jr., Makamae DeSoto, Kevin Skvarna (USA), David Carvalho
H2: Duane DeSoto, Kaniela Stewart, Koby Gilchrist (USA), Edrick Baldwin
H3: Kai Sallas, Laakea David, Dino Miranda, Wesley Moore
H4: Keegan Edwards, Micah DeSoto, Kaimana Takayama (USA), John Paul Kaleupa‘a

Men’s Trials (1st and 2nd advance)
H1: Micah DeSoto, David Carvalho, Len Barrow, Crispin Nakoa

Women’s Round of 16 (1st and 2nd advance)
H1: Megan Godinez, Kelta O’Rourke, Stacia Ahina, Summer Ivy
H2: Ashley Ahina, Miku Uemura, Mason Schremmer (USA), Satoo Ukeguchi (JPN)
H3: Sally Cohen (USA), Sierra Lerback (USA), Kelis Kalepaa, Nouko Furuie (JPN)
H4: Honolua Blomfield, Tabatha Knudson (USA), Natsumi Taoka (JPN), Soleil Errico (USA)

Women’s Round of 20 (1st and 2nd advance)
H1: Megan Godinez, Miku Uemura, Tehani Hinkley
H2: Sally Cohen (USA), Taoka Natsumi (JPN), Dominique Miller, Kailey Bogart

Turtle Bay Resort Pro Junior    
                                              
World Surf League Men & Women's JQS1,000
Turtle Bay Resort, North Shore, Oahu/Hawaii
13 - 15 October 2016

Mahina Maeda and Noa Mizuno claim victories at the Turtle Bay Pro Junior

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 15 October, 2016 - North Shore, Oahu Hawaii -  In the final, most anticipated Pro Junior event of the season, Noa Mizuno (Kuliouou, Oahu) and Mahina Maeda (Sunset Beach, Oahu) captured the win at the Turtle Bay Resort Pro Junior, the last World Surf League (WSL) Junior Qualifying Series (JQS) of the year.

Today’s success saw Mizuno advance past Cody Young (Makawao, Maui) for the Regional Junior Champion title, while Brisa Hennessy (Kailua, Oahu) grabbed the title in the women’s division and runner-up place behind Maeda. Mizuno and Maeda’s performances catapulted them into the qualifying slots for the World Junior Championship in Australia this January.

With so much at stake during this event the upsets were inevitable, but ultimately 8 surfers stood atop the podium to be awarded with checks, leis and scholarships. Joining Mizuno, Maeda, Young and Hennessy in January’s World Junior Championships are Noah Hill (Maui), who placed third in today's event, and Christopher Bluthardt (Oahu).

Hennessy was a standout during the event and talked about what it means to secure the Regional Junior Champion title: “It feels so good. It was kind of stressful going into this event knowing that there’s so many amazing surfers trying to qualify so I was kind of nervous, but it feels so good to come out on top.”

The Men’s Final saw a nail-biting back and forth battle between Mizuno and Young, while the coastline crowd cheered and whistled as 4-6ft. sets marched through the lineup. Mizuno dropped the highest single wave score of the heat, a 9.15, and backed it up with a 6.20 to take the lead over Young, who stayed equally busy but ultimately fell short by a point.“I’m just stoked, I worked hard for this,” said Mizuno.

“This is my first big win and to just take the regional title and go to Australia as the top Hawaii contender is probably one of the best feelings for me. I’m just stoked how this day turned out because a lot of hard work was put into this and it’s good to know it paid off.”

The women’s Final saw four out of the top five ranked junior women battle it out for the title, but Maeda’s backhand proved unbeatable in the challenging conditions. Hennessy, Summer Macedo (Maui) and Zoe McDougall (Oahu) fell to the former WSL World Junior Champion in second, third and fourth place respectively.

“The final was really intense and the girls that I went up against were the team that I traveled with back in Azores, so it was kind of like a Hawaii surf team class, it was just super fun,” said Maeda. “All of us were pushing each other and Brisa just came back from the Azores as the ISA World Junior Champion, so she was definitely the one person to beat. I’m just really glad I redeemed myself in that heat.”

Maeda had the strongest wave of the Final, an 8.0, and backed it up with a 4.75, however Hennessy nipped on her heels with a 6.90 and 5.50, only .35 points behind Maeda. Macedo showed true grit in the lineup after injuring herself a day prior to the competition. Although her performance was not enough to take the win, this was a personal victory for the event.

Finn McGill (Oahu) threw down the highest heat total of the event, a near perfect 19.00 in the first round after nailing a 9.75 and backing it up with a 9.25. McGill missed out in the Semifinals, but will go on to surf in the next WSL Hawaii event, the HIC Pro, Presented by Vans, October 27 – November 9. This event will see many of the juniors from today compete against the world’s best and is the official regional qualifying event into the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, November 12 - December 20.

MENS FINALS
1st – Noa Mizuno, (Men’s Regional Champion)
2nd – Cody Young
3rd – Noah Hill
4th – Barron Mamiya

WOMENS FINALS
1st – Mahina Maeda
2nd – Brisa Hennessy (Women’s Regional Champion)
3rd – Summer Macedo
4th – Zoe McDougall

MENS SEMIFINALS – 1st and 2nd advance
SF1: Barron Mamiya, Cody Young, Ocean Macedo, Brodi Sale
SF2: Noah Hill, Noa Mizuno, Logan Bediamol, Finn McGill

WOMENS SEMIFINALS – 1st and 2nd advance
SF1: Mahina Maeda, Zoe McDougall, Honolua Blomfield, Gabriela Bryan
SF2: Brisa Hennessy, Summer Macedo, Vahine Fierro, Summer Ivy

MENS QUARTERFINALS – 1st and 2nd advance   
QF1: Barron Mamiya, Brodi Sale, Kaulana Apo, Dylan Franzmann
QF2: Cody Young, Ocean Macedo, Tony Nunez, Sammy Gray
QF3: Finn McGill, Logan Bediamol, Kala Willard, Cole Alves
QF4: Noah Hill, Noa Mizuno, Wyatt McHale, Cole Frye

WOMENS QUARTERFINALS
QF1: Mahina Maeda, Gabriela Bryan, Aloha Lopez, Izzi Gomez
QF2: Zoe McDougall, Honolua Blomfield, Luana Coelho-Silva, Angelina Yossa
QF3: Summer Macedo, Vahine Fierro, Savanna Stone, Kelta O’Rourke
QF4: Brisa Hennessy, Summer Ivy, Leila Riccobuano, Keala Tomoda-Bannert

MENS ROUND of 32 – 1st and 2nd advance
H1: Barron Mamiya, Ocean Macedo, Kyle Tester (USA), Jake Riccobuano
H2: Brodi Sale, Tony Nunez, Noah Beschen, Christopher Bluthardt
H3: Sammy Gray, Kaulana Apo, Kelson Lau, Koa Yokota
H4: Cody Young, Dylan Franzmann, Makana Pang, Keoni Picollo
H5: Finn McGill, Cole Frye, Luke Swanson, Dante Silva
H6: Cole Alves, Wyatt McHale, Wolf Wertheimer, Ty Simpson-Kane
H7: Noa Mizuno, Kala Wallard, Kainaru Kato, Kainehe Hunt
H8: Noah Hill, Logan Bediamol, Jackson Bunch, Ryder Guest

MENS TRIALS FINAL
H1: Cole Frye, Kai McIntyre, Robert Grilho, Christopher O’Donnel

MENS TRIALS ROUND 1 – 1st and 2nd advance
H1: Kai McIntrye, Christopher O’Donnel, Kade Ketcheson, Zac Hedemann
H2: Robert Grilho, Cole Frye, Diesel Storm-Butts, Gavin Hogan

WOMENS TRIALS ROUND 1 – 1st advances to main event
H1: Summer Ivy, Nicole Fletcher, Alexa Muss (USA), Tegan Harrs

Team News

Hawaii's own got a great reception on the North Shore to celebrate his World Championship

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 3 November, 2016 - It was an emotional day for newly crowned World Champion John John Florence as he returned home to his tight-knit North Shore community for the first time since claiming the Title in Portugal last week.

The neighborhood came out to celebrate, lining the streets of Kamehameha Highway between Waimea Bay and Sunset Beach to cheer, wave Hawaiian flags and flash their homemade signs to celebrate Hawaii's first men's champ since the late Andy Irons in 2004.

By far the most vocal supporters were the hundred-plus kids from Sunset Beach Elementary, where Florence went to school. Students were let out of class to join in the festivities.

Naturally, Florence was moved by the outpouring of love and support. "I was so surprised," Florence said. "This is everyone I've grown up with. I couldn't have dreamed up anything like this. I'm just stoked."

Vans Triple Crown of Surfing

World Surf League 
North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii
12 November - 20 December, 2016

Two times series winner comfirmed for all three events

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 7 November, 2016 - After claiming the 2016 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Title and event win in Portugal on October 24, Hawaii’s newly crowned World Champion John John Florence is home to compete in all three events of the 34th Annual Vans Triple Crown of Surfing from November 12 – December 20.

Florence, 24, will be looking for a continuation of his recently unstoppable form heading into the Hawaiian winter of events. Florence has previously claimed the esteemed Vans Triple Crown title in 2013 and 2011 and looks extremely polished after his most successful campaign in six years on the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour.

2011 marked a winning year for Florence, as he also took the event victory at the Vans World Cup, the second gem of the Vans Triple Crown. He has yet to claim a win at the Hawaiian Pro in Haleiwa however, and the highly coveted Billabong Pipe Masters title still eludes him as well.

The first two events of the series are the highest rated on the WSL International Qualifying Series (QS) tour and the final stops for surfers looking to complete their year-end rankings with a solid result. The Billabong Pipe Masters concludes the WSL Samsung Galaxy Championship Tour, is the third gem of the Vans Triple Crown, and happens to be Florence’s backyard break. The industry is positioned to witness what could be the most historical year ever for Hawaii surfing during the 2016 Vans Triple Crown.

Florence has returned the world title to Hawaiian soil after a twelve-year hiatus since the late Andy Irons won it in 2004. The win comes at a pivotal turning point for Hawaii surfing, as the WSL region has recently opened doors on a brick and mortar building and accomplished its first year under new leadership. Jodi Wilmott, General Manager of WSL Hawaii/Tahiti Nui and Executive Director of the Vans Triple Crown has taken the region to new heights and sees John John’s win as the beginning of a new era for professional surfing in Hawaii.

Destined for greatness, Florence, was the youngest competitor ever to compete in the Vans Triple Crown at the age of 13 in 2005.

The Hawaiian Pro QS10,000 is in its 32nd year of running this November and kick starts the surf series at Haleiwa Ali‘i Beach Park. Noted as a WSL specialty event, the Vans Triple Crown will determine seven winners over a span of 39 days and boasts a total prize purse of more than $1.1 million. 

2016 also marks 40 years of the professional world surfing tour, which began in Hawaii in 1976 by surfing visionaries Fred Hemmings and Randy Rarick. Over the last four decades, the world tour has grown and spread around the globe to now encompass eleven tour stops, eight different countries and five continents. 

This year will see the highly anticipated arrival of homegrown hero and native Hawaiian surfer Ezekiel Lau, who returns to Oahu after competing in Brazil for a QS6,000 and a year of international events. In strong contention to join the elite 32 surfers on the 2017 Championship Tour (CT), a good result at the Hawaiian Pro could mean a monumental leap in Lau’s professional career. After a third place finish in the 2015 Hawaiian Pro, Zeke is focused on finding another good result at the challenging Vans Triple Crown venue. 

“Being able to compete in front of a home crowd is always a great feeling,” said Lau. “The energy this time of year is electrifying. I'm looking to embrace it all and enjoy every second of it.”

Lau has been laser focused on the QS tour for four consecutive years and recently placed runner up at the Azores Airlines Pro QS6,000 for a significant bump up in ratings points.  

“My ultimate goal is to win,” continued Lau. “That's my goal every time I put on a jersey. The only thing that changes is that I sleep in my own bed and wake up and compete in my backyard.” 

Of the 128-man field confirmed for the Hawaiian Pro, 21 of the world’s best surfers will compete from the CT, including world No. 3 Jordy Smith (ZAF) and No. 4 Matt Wilkinson (AUS).

Other local contenders like Maui’s Dusty Payne (2014 Hawaiian Pro winner) and Kauai’s Sebastian Zietz (2012 Hawaiian Pro winner) will be familiar faces among the international crowd, while Italian standout Leonardo Fioravanti will put his progressive surfing to the test and defending event winner Wade Carmichael (AUS) will work to regain a second title. 

Succeeding the Hawaiian Pro is the Vans World Cup of Surfing (November 24 – December 6) at Sunset Beach, followed by the Billabong Pipe Masters (December 8 – 20), which concludes both the CT and Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. The infamous surfing trilogy highlights Hawaii’s most revered waves but more importantly, recognizes the athletes who risk it all to be the best. 

The 2015 Billabong Pipe Masters drew the largest American surf audience ever with 1 million+ fans watching live, many who used the WSL app, which is on track for its 2 millionth download by the end of the Hawaii leg, 2016.

Catch the Hawaiian Pro action LIVE on www.worldsurfleague.com and www.vanstriplecrownofsurfing.com or download the WSL app for instant updates.

Vans Triple Crown of Surfing

World Surf League 
North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii
12 November - 20 December, 2016

Two time series winner comfirmed for all three events

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 7 November, 2016 - After claiming the 2016 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Title and event win in Portugal on October 24, Hawaii’s newly crowned World Champion John John Florence is home to compete in all three events of the 34th Annual Vans Triple Crown of Surfing from November 12 – December 20.

Florence, 24, will be looking for a continuation of his recently unstoppable form heading into the Hawaiian winter of events. Florence has previously claimed the esteemed Vans Triple Crown title in 2013 and 2011 and looks extremely polished after his most successful campaign in six years on the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour.

2011 marked a winning year for Florence, as he also took the event victory at the Vans World Cup, the second gem of the Vans Triple Crown. He has yet to claim a win at the Hawaiian Pro in Haleiwa however, and the highly coveted Billabong Pipe Masters title still eludes him as well.

The first two events of the series are the highest rated on the WSL International Qualifying Series (QS) tour and the final stops for surfers looking to complete their year-end rankings with a solid result. The Billabong Pipe Masters concludes the WSL Samsung Galaxy Championship Tour, is the third gem of the Vans Triple Crown, and happens to be Florence’s backyard break. The industry is positioned to witness what could be the most historical year ever for Hawaii surfing during the 2016 Vans Triple Crown.

Florence has returned the world title to Hawaiian soil after a twelve-year hiatus since the late Andy Irons won it in 2004. The win comes at a pivotal turning point for Hawaii surfing, as the WSL region has recently opened doors on a brick and mortar building and accomplished its first year under new leadership. Jodi Wilmott, General Manager of WSL Hawaii/Tahiti Nui and Executive Director of the Vans Triple Crown has taken the region to new heights and sees John John’s win as the beginning of a new era for professional surfing in Hawaii.

Destined for greatness, Florence, was the youngest competitor ever to compete in the Vans Triple Crown at the age of 13 in 2005.

The Hawaiian Pro QS10,000 is in its 32nd year of running this November and kick starts the surf series at Haleiwa Ali‘i Beach Park. Noted as a WSL specialty event, the Vans Triple Crown will determine seven winners over a span of 39 days and boasts a total prize purse of more than $1.1 million. 

2016 also marks 40 years of the professional world surfing tour, which began in Hawaii in 1976 by surfing visionaries Fred Hemmings and Randy Rarick. Over the last four decades, the world tour has grown and spread around the globe to now encompass eleven tour stops, eight different countries and five continents. 

This year will see the highly anticipated arrival of homegrown hero and native Hawaiian surfer Ezekiel Lau, who returns to Oahu after competing in Brazil for a QS6,000 and a year of international events. In strong contention to join the elite 32 surfers on the 2017 Championship Tour (CT), a good result at the Hawaiian Pro could mean a monumental leap in Lau’s professional career. After a third place finish in the 2015 Hawaiian Pro, Zeke is focused on finding another good result at the challenging Vans Triple Crown venue. 

“Being able to compete in front of a home crowd is always a great feeling,” said Lau. “The energy this time of year is electrifying. I'm looking to embrace it all and enjoy every second of it.”

Lau has been laser focused on the QS tour for four consecutive years and recently placed runner up at the Azores Airlines Pro QS6,000 for a significant bump up in ratings points.  

“My ultimate goal is to win,” continued Lau. “That's my goal every time I put on a jersey. The only thing that changes is that I sleep in my own bed and wake up and compete in my backyard.” 

Of the 128-man field confirmed for the Hawaiian Pro, 21 of the world’s best surfers will compete from the CT, including world No. 3 Jordy Smith (ZAF) and No. 4 Matt Wilkinson (AUS).

Other local contenders like Maui’s Dusty Payne (2014 Hawaiian Pro winner) and Kauai’s Sebastian Zietz (2012 Hawaiian Pro winner) will be familiar faces among the international crowd, while Italian standout Leonardo Fioravanti will put his progressive surfing to the test and defending event winner Wade Carmichael (AUS) will work to regain a second title. 

Succeeding the Hawaiian Pro is the Vans World Cup of Surfing (November 24 – December 6) at Sunset Beach, followed by the Billabong Pipe Masters (December 8 – 20), which concludes both the CT and Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. The infamous surfing trilogy highlights Hawaii’s most revered waves but more importantly, recognizes the athletes who risk it all to be the best. 

The 2015 Billabong Pipe Masters drew the largest American surf audience ever with 1 million+ fans watching live, many who used the WSL app, which is on track for its 2 millionth download by the end of the Hawaii leg, 2016.

Catch the Hawaiian Pro action LIVE on www.worldsurfleague.com and www.vanstriplecrownofsurfing.com or download the WSL app for instant updates.

Environment Updates

Friends of Sunset Beach win Agent of Change award from Surfer Magazine

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 11 November, 2016 - Carlsbad - Surfer announced that Friends of Sunset Beach as the 2016 Surfer Awards “Agent of Change” award recipient and beneficiary of proceeds from VIP table sales. 

The foundation will be honored on Dec. 6, 2016 at the 46th annual event honoring the best surfers, films and performances of the year. 
 
Friends of Sunset Beach is a 100 percent volunteer and donation-based non-profit, dedicated to supporting the arts program at Sunset Beach Elementary and to increase awareness and opportunities for all of the North Shore community to participate in and understand the arts. 

In 2004, Hawaii's Reinventing Education Act gave school administrators greater control over their budgets. Faced with the pressure to show student performance on standardized tests, many schools chose to cut arts education funding in order to focus on core subjects. In 2009 a group of parents joined together and created Friends of Sunset Beach to raise funds to ensure that every child has the opportunity to experience art education.
 
“Friends of Sunset Beach has been dedicated to developing and implementing an art program at Sunset Beach Elementary School since 2010.  We are a 100 percent volunteer based organization whose main goal is to bring the arts back into our elementary school,” says Cathy Shanley, President, Friends of Sunset Beach. 

“This wonderful award will help to build awareness in our community, as well as directly aid in the success of our annual event, ‘Celebrating the Arts,’ where all of the fundraising occurs that makes our program possible. We are excited to have three teachers on board with degrees in art and music education teaching at SBES, all supported by Friends of Sunset Beach.  Mahalo for this incredible honor!”
 
Each year, the Agent of Change award recognizes an organization or individual making a positive impact on the surfing community.  Friends of Sunset Beach joins an esteemed list of recipients that includes: North Shore Community Land Trust (2015), Sustainable Surf (2014), Dustin Barca with Hawai’I SEED (2013), Paddle2Live (2012), Operation Amped (2011), the Mauli Ola Foundation (2010), Dr. Dave Jenkins with SurfAid International (2009), and Dave Rastovich with Surfers for Cetaceans (2008).