Macy's E-Series Event #1

Men's 1 Star WQS Event #15
Maili Point, Oahu
15 - 18 May 2008

Out-of-season northwest swell graces Macy's E-Series Event #1

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 17 May, 2008 : - - Maili Point -- After a weeks of flat surf on the west side of Oahu, Maili Point came to life with contestable, 2-to 3-foot surf from an out-of-season northwest swell for the Macy’s E-Series Event #1, presented by the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Hawaii.

From teenaged super-grom John John Florence, to 1996 World Champion Derek Ho, the final 32 competitors brought decades of experience, titles and flair to the waves today, and promise more of the same for the final day of competition, likely to be held tomorrow.

For the first time in history, ASP Hawaii and Macy’s collaborated for Hawaii’s pro surfing community, giving a field of 80 surfers a much needed opportunity to win some cash, but more importantly, valuable World Qualifying Series (WQS) points towards qualification for the 2008 Vans Triple Crown of Surfing.

With Kona winds the beach was scorching hot, but the water offered ideal conditions for the surfers of the first and second rounds. Although Maili Point is a predominant left breaking wave, the rights also offered solid scoring rides today. Furthermore, contestants who were fortunate to surf in the late afternoon were rewarded as the waves improved with the rising tide.

Ewa Beach’s Dustin Cuizon capitalized on the high tide push, slashing and snapping to a heat victory in Round 2.

“It’s pretty tricky out there, but the right was kind of working all day,” said the 22-year-old regular foot. “But when you’re out there you gotta take anything that comes your way and get to work.” Cuizon’s competitive attitude recently paid off at the Volcom Qualifying Series Championships early this month in California, bringing back a win and cash to the islands.

Dustin’s childhood sparring partner and fellow WQS warrior Joel Centeio also benefited from an afternoon heat. “I was just trying to stay busy and keep riding waves because some of the waves don’t really look like anything, but once it hits the reef it kind of bowls up and gives you a couple of sections,” said Centeio.

The 25-year-old Makakilo native won his heat in impressive fashion, taking out his former coach, Rainos Hayes, in the closest heat of the day. “Rainos is pretty funny in a heat, he’s real tactical and paddles straight into position all the time. He was probably disappointed in me because I let him paddle right by me a couple of times. He’s usually one to say, ‘hold the position’.” Rainos finished second behind Joel, also advancing.

Like Centeio and Hayes, Maili Point has a lot of history in competitive surfing. The break was the site of the Billabong World Junior Championships for years and is a favorite venue for the Hawaii Amateur Surfing Association (HASA).

“It’s back to the HASA days all over again,” joked Torrey Meister after winning his heat in Round 2. The 19-year-old, Kona kid is recently coming off a dry-docking ankle injury and has been surfing and rehabbing for only four months now. “I tore some ligaments in my ankle, but it feels good now.” Meister’s ankle and surfing looked strong against the competition, attempting a few airs on the northwest peaks.

With the declining north-west swell and a small southwest bump in the surf forecast for tomorrow, contest organizers have the option to hold the final day of competition at Maili Point or Sandy Beach.  One of the unique aspects of the Macy’s E-Series presented by ASP Hawaii is its’ mobility, having simultaneous permits for Maili and Sandys have allowed this event access to the most contestable conditions on the island.

Check the event hotline (808) 262-2488 to hear where the Round 3 to the Finals will be held. If the contest site is moved to Sandy Beach on the east side of Oahu, it will be the first time in decades that an ASP event is held at Sandy’s. No matter the location, the Macy’s E-Series Event #1 presented by ASP Hawaii is going to be a spectacular showcase of high performance, Hawaiian surfing tomorrow.

RESULTS

ROUND of 80 - Top 2 surfers in each heat advance. Surfers listed in order of 1st through 4th
R1HI: Robert Hennessy, Lance Gruver, Hizson Lin-Kee,
R1H2: Gavin Sutherland, Josh Rex, Keli Everett, Nathan Florence
R1H3: CJ Kanuha, Taylor Cook, Mike Mattison, Cheyne Willis
R1H4: Isaac Stant, Scott Shimoda, Kyle Foyle
R1H5: Cru Suratt, Dylan Kowalski, Kolea Fukumitsu
R1H6: Derek Lyons-Wolfe, Noah Budroe, Makai McNamara
R1H7: Chris Foster, Keala Naihe, Ricky Clark
R1H8: Brennan Boudreau, Kawai Lindo, John Michael Turner

ROUND of 64
R2H1: Nick Mita, TJ Barron, Robert Hennesy, Kekoa Cazimero
R2H2: Lance Gruver, Wesley Larsen, Liam McNamara, David Gonzales
R2H3: Hank Gaskell, Makuakai Rothman, Tamayo Perry, Gavin Sutherland
R2H4: Kai Barger, Jason Shibata, Keale Chung, Josh Rex
R2H5: Kiron Jabour, CJ Kanuha, Kekoa Bacalso, Rory Parker
R2H6: Casey Brown, Love Hodel, Dege o’Connell, Taylor Cook
R2H7: Isaac Stant, Evan Valiere, Randall Paulson, Jason Frederico
R2H8: Charlie Carroll, Tom Dosland, Scott Shimoda, Kahea Hart
R2H9: Joel Centeio, Rainos Hayes, Solomon Ortiz, Cru Surratt
R2H10: Torrey Meister, Ezra Sitt, Jason Maganallenes, Dylan Kowalski
R2H11: Nathan Carroll, Shane Beschen, Tyler Newton, Derek Lyons-Wolfe
R2H12: Mikey Bruneau, Derek Ho, Noah Budroe, Rio Flores
R2H13: Dustin Cuizon, Chris Foster, Sage Huls
R2H14: John John Florence, Marcus Hickman, Keala Naihe, Myles Padaca
R2H15: Mason Ho, Dylan Melamed, Rico Jimenez, Brennan Boudreau
R2H16: Daniel Jones, Flynn Novak, Kaupena Miranda, Kawai Lindo

Previous reports:
# 1 : Macy's E-Series steps up for the aspiring Hawaiian pros
# 2 : Coming soon
# 3 : Coming soon
# 4 : Coming soon  

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