Event: NSSA Hawai‘i Regional Championships

Date: March 15, 17 &18, 2008

Location: Kewalo Basin

Conditions: 1- to 2-foot, which is head high for the mini-groms

While every competitor dreams of perfect waves for a contest, rarely does that dream materialize. The collective hope for south swell fell short of conjuring waves, but nevertheless, everyone was stoked to get wet and spend time with friends and family.

Representing O‘ahu, Big Island, Maui, Moloka‘i and Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i’s top talent jumped off the jetty into their heats hoping to nab a solid score to place them in the finals. For some competitors, this event landed them a coveted spot at Nationals in Southern California, while honing their skills of wave selection and small-wave ripping.

When asked who was tops to win each division, John John Florence replied, “Whoever is having the most fun,” a sentiment that embodied the entire vibe of the event. Kids and adults were jumping into the water, laughing and encouraging each other throughout the heats.

Surf mom Tammy Moniz reflected on the wisdom and sportsmanship these youngsters learn competing in amateur surfing events. She told a story about a heat surfed by the young Kalani David, where he exited the water unhappy with his performance. David, Kalani’s father, asked, “So how do you feel you did in that heat?”

He replied, “I felt like I made it, but it is what it is and I’m not going to let myself get down on it.”

“To me, that’s the heart of a champion,” said Moniz.

Highlights of the event included Keanu Asing making the finals in the Open Juniors division, pulling down a 9.5 and 10s, even after losing his board during a heat. Coco Ho blasted through to win the Women’s Explorer division and Leila Hurst came away the Explorer Girls champion. Alessa Quizon and Nage Melamed were the only two girls who made finals in all the divisions they entered, with Quizon winning the Women’s Open. On the last day Seth Moniz was on fire, showing the Explorer Menehunes how it’s done.

The NSSA Regional Championships is a steppingstone in Hawai‘i for many surfers, but as friendships go beyond the heat sheet, everyone was simply happy to be surfing together. While only a few take the distinction as division champions, each competitor walks away a winner because of their healthy respect for the ocean, for the sport and for each other. —Yhazi Graham

2008 NSSA HAWAI‘I REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS RESULTS:

Open Men: 1) Granger Larsen, 2) Billy Kemper, 3) Albee Layer 4) Kai Barger Open Women: 1) Alessa Quizon, 2) Nage Melamed 3) Monyca Byrne-Wickey, 4) Malia Manuel Open Juniors: 1) Tanner Hendrickson, 2) Ezekiel Lau, 3) John John Florence, 4) Keanu Asing, 5) Matty Costa, 6) Makana Eleogram Open Boys: 1) Koa Smith, 2) Ian Gentil, 3) Luke Hitchcock, 4) Kain Daly, 5) Makai McNamara, 6) Seth Moniz Open Mini Groms: 1) Imaikalani DeVault, 2) Kalani David, 3) Kaulana Apo, 4) Seth Moniz, 5) Pierre Graham, 6) Kona Olivira Open Longboard: 1) Ka‘oli Kahokuloa, 2) Bullet Obra, 3) D.K. Walsh, 4) Michael Sturat, 5) Kazuma Saita, 6) Shaun Walsh Explorer Men: 1) Kai Barger, 2) John John Florence, 3) Dylan Goodale, 4) Granger Larsen, 5) Albee Layer, 6) Alex Smith Explorer Juniors: 1) John John Florence, 2) Levi Gonzales, 3) Granger Larsen, 4) Tyler Newton, 5) Albee Layer, 6) Alex Smith Explorer Boys: 1) Kaimana Jaquias, 2) Keanu Asing, 3) Ezekiel Lau, 4) Luke Hitchcock, 5) Makai McNamara, 6) Matty Costa Explorer Menehunes: 1) Seth Moniz, 2) Luke Hitchcock, 3) Makai McNamara, 4) Koa Smith, 5) Joshua Moniz, 6) Ian Gentil Explorer Women: 1) Coco Ho, 2) Leila Hurst, 3) Alessa Quizon, 4) Nage Melamed, 5) Monyca Bryne-Wickey, 6) Alisha Gonzales Explorer Girls: 1) Leila Hurst, 2) Alessa Quizon, 3) Nage Melamed, 4) Alisha Gonsalves, 5) Kelia Moniz, 6) Malia Manuel Explorer Longboard: 1) Bullet Obra, 2) Kazuma Saita, 3) D.K. Walsh, 4) Shaun Walsh, 5) Michael Sturat Explorer Masters: 1) Christian Budroe, 2) Scott Shimoda, 3) Dale Sabate Explorer Seniors: 1) Dale Sabate, 2) Eric Olson, 3) Christian Budroe, 4) Bryan Suratt, 5) Raymond Shito Explorer Super Seniors: 1) Raymond Shito