HONOLULU (June 6, 2009) -- The 2009 champion of the Hard Rock Cafe State Surfing Championships, presented by Surftech, was crowned today, wrapping up three days of intense competition at Ala Moana Bowls. Waves persisted in the two- to three-foot range for the final stage.
More than 200 competitors from around the state gathered at Ala Moana over the past three days. Event director Wendell Aoki spoke particularly highly of the outer-island contingent.
"We were really impressed to have so many outer island qualifiers attend," said Aoki, "and they put in some very strong performances. Economically, this isn't an easy time for families to be traveling and competing, so we genuinely appreciate the lengths they went to to make it. The result is a truly competitive team from Hawaii that will now move on to the national championships in California in August. We are very proud of our kids."
The technical nature of Ala Moana Bowls - a rapid-fire left that has a distinct lineup and point-scoring sections - also spoke volumes about the ability of the outer island kids; the fact that they performed so highly at a venue that was foreign to so many of them.
Major division honors went to: Nage Melamed (Kauai, Girls champion);
Finalists in each of the major divisions will qualify for the national Surfing America Championships to be held at Huntington Beach, CA., August 25-30, 2009.
The Hawaii Surfing Association is the world's longest running surfing association. The goal of the HSA's Hard Rock Cafe Series is to offer a competitive platform for up-and-coming surfers that will prepare them for a future career in professional surfing, should they choose it. The new 2009/10 HSA season will start up in August.
COMPLETE RESULTS:
Girls: 1st-Nage Melamed (Kauai); 2nd-Hana Harrison (Oahu); 3rd-Erica Steiner (Kauai); 4th-Mahina Maeda (Oahu)
Women:1st-Alelei Lyman; 2nd-Izumi Baldwin; 3rd-Lacy Cameron; 4th-Dana Tortuga; 5th-Nina Dodge; 6th-TJ Moller
Bodyboard Women: 1st-Carolyn Or
Longboard Girls: 1st-Kaili Rodman; 2nd-Erika Steiner; 3rd-Jericho Paliracio; 4th-Kiana Fores
Longboard Women: 1st-Stacia Ahina; 2nd-Ashley Ahina; 3rd-TJ Moller; 4th-Mimi Horiuchi
Longboard Open: 1st-Daniel Stein; 2nd-Nelson Ahina; 3rd-Puna Moller; 4th-Justin Matsui; 5th-Gavin Hasegawa; 6th-Daniel Teijeiro
Standup Paddle: 1st-Alika Willis; 2nd-Slater Trout; 3rd-Titus Kinimaka; 4th-Chris Marten; 5th-Miguel Graham; 6th-Black Abraham
