“It’s funner than a million dollars,” explained one silly grom while slurping free ice cream. “Because you could go to a game station and play for a million dollars, but you can just go into the ocean for free.” You get the point.

The contest was open to all amateur longboard, shortboard and bodyboard surfers who have not yet been rated on the pro circuit. The three divisions were 7-and-under, 8-11 year-olds and 12-14 year-olds. Proceeds from this event benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of Honolulu.

Groms were amped on watching some of their local pro heroes during the T&C Surf/Surfer Magazine Hot 100 Air Invitational. The professional contingent caught the windy swell but the big boys put on a show regardless. Ewa Beach’s Dustin Cuizon, (returning Air Show Invitational Champion) landed a reverse air, which was good enough for the gold and the winning $1,000 check. Derek Wong finished second with $500, Kawika Stillwell in third with $300, and Tyler Crawford in fourth with $200.

The second day of competition saw the Board Stories Expression Session, which was the always adorable and entertaining parent-keiki tandem division. This division is in its fifth year, sponsored by the Manuele Inc. (Board Stories, Billabong Surf TV and FreeSurf Magazine), and has promoted the development of healthy families among the surfing community.

Some families use this event to ease their new surfers into the wave of competition, but the focus is on fun. It was an all-around family weekend. Somewhere between the peanut butter and jelly eating contest, free Subway sandwiches, giveaways from KCCN FM 100 radio station and a water balloon hop game, everyone got their toes wet in the amusement. Dave Skedeleski of SurfTech summed up the contest’s vibe succinctly, “A family that surfs together stays together.”

T&C Grom Contest Results:
SHORTBOARD 7 & Under: 1) Barron Mamiya 2) Finn McGill, 3) Makana Pang, 4) Joshua Budroe, 5) Kirra Borrello, 6) Kamela Stewart 8-11: 1) Alex Pendleton, 2) Kala Grace, 3) Kai Matsumoto, 4) Pierce Watmull, 5) Mahina Maeda 12-14: 1) Sheldon Paishon, 2) Dylan Kowalski, 3) Patrick Calderon, 4) Antonio Puerto, 5) Koa Rothman, 6) David Madeira LONGBOARD 7& Under: 1) Finn McGill, 2) Makana Pang, 3) Dilan Ellis, 4) Keola Auwae, 5) Devin Brueggman, 6) Kirra Borrello 8-11: 1) Eala Stewart, 2) Austin Vicente, 3) Kainoa Yester, 4) Gabriela Yester, 5) Noa Mizuna, 6) Mariano Whitford 12-14: 1) Tim Rowland, 2) Symon Rowlands, 3) Kekai Grace, 4) Buddy Wiggins, 5) Kaiti Kino, 6) Cassidy Kuakini BODYBOARD 7 & Under: 1) Keola Auwae, 2) Keone Bloomfield, 3) Renesh Winnscoat, 4) Malia Mizuno, 5) Honolua Bloomfield, 6) Titas Lafradez 8-11: 1) Dane Rust, 2) Corbin Iaea, 3) Kawika Kong, 4) Kaito Kino, 5) Trenton Tam, 6) James Ahina 12-14: 1) Cassidy Kuakini TANDEM PARENT-KEIKI: 1) Dave and Gabriela Yester, 2) John Paul and Kelia Kaleopa’a, 3) Willie and Kala Grace, 4) Matt and Keimana Reynolds.