Hard Rock Cafe Surf Series

Hawaiian Surfing Association, Event #3 of 10,
Ala Moana Courts, Oahu, Hawaii
4-5 10-11 October 2008

30 Years on, Hawaii Youngsters look to Hard Rock Cafe/HSA Surf Series to Build their Dreams

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 6 October, 2008 : - - Honolulu -- It has been 30 years since Hawaii surfers truly dominated the global surf scene; it was 1978 and five of the world's Top 10 ranked men and six of the Top 8 ranked women travelled under the Hawaiian flag. But a hungry group of disciplined youngsters out of Oahu have their goals set on taking Hawaii back to the top.

Their plans are taking hold, thanks to the grassroots offerings of the Hard Rock Cafe Surf Series, presented by the Hawaii Surfing Association (HSA), where preparations go well beyond just surfing. The Hard Rock Cafe/HSA Series is proud of its humble, no-hype existence. You won't find a sea of overbearing parents on the beach, no blasting commentary from the  contest compound, no ceremonious fanfare as the gold-plated trophies are handed out from month to month.

"We've got the highest number of unsponsored surfers of any series," says long-time Local Motion team manager Tommy Asing, whose son and closely watched brood of young surfers currently dominate the scene at these events. "We're not here to give it to them on a silver platter," Asing continues. "We're here to provide discipline and to inspire them to be the best that they can be in life - not just on the waves, but in all that they do."

While Asing sheds light on the larger goals, long-time Series operator Wendell Aoki is disciplining a group of harmless, young competitors who have had more than their fill of contest provided hotdogs, drinks and snacks, and now need to clean up after themselves. Each of these kids knows well that they get way more than a competition heat or two out for their entry fee at these events.

"There'll be no cry babies out of this series," Asing continues. "No tantrums, no throwing your surfboard down on the ground if you lose a heat here."

Out on the water, the kids are strutting their stuff. A clean three-foot swell looms well overhead as the Boys 11-&-Under Final gets underway. In true HSA style, it is won by a girl. Dax McGill, from Oahu's North Shore works her way to a solid win over her 8-year-old brother Finn, and two of their mates, Eli Gates (11) and Noa Mizuno (9).

"I've been surfing since I was two," says Dax, back on the beach with her first-place trophy. "These events are really fun . I've met a lot more friends. I'd like to surf for a career. All I know is that it's just fun every time I go out there."

As the youngest entrants clear the lineup, the spotlight shifts to the most hotly contested divisions: Junior Men (ages 15 to 17) and Open Men (all ages). These surfers are just a couple of years from making their full assault on the world's professional surfing stage. This weekend, it's basically the same surfers headlining both finals. Keanu Asing wins the Junior division, followed by Sheldon Paishon, Kainoa Haas, and Matty Costa. The Open Men's final is won by Costa, with Paishon second, Asing third, and EJ Mitsui - who is technically also a junior, fourth.

"Some of these kids have never been off the island," says Tommy Asing. "Their families don't have money to travel to the bigger events. But they know that they can find what they need to succeed right here. And for a grassroots series of local events, they've got access to the best of the best. These kids are being scored today by some of the same world class judges who will be scoring Kelly Slater at the Pipeline Masters a couple of months from now. They're laying the right foundations to get where they want to go."

RESULTS: HARD ROCK CAFE SURF SERIES, by HSA - Event #3 of 10
Surfers listed in order of 1st through 4th

SHORTBOARD:
Junior Men Final (Age 15-17): Keanu Asing (Ewa); Sheldon Paishon; Kainoa Haas; Matty Costa
Boys Final (Age 12-14): Cole Yamakawa; Kaito Kino; Austin Vicente; Lucas Godfrey
Men's Final (18-24): Kapu Ping; Scott Saito; Jared Clapper; Davin Jaime
Open Men's Final: Matty Costa; Sheldon Paishon; Keanu Asing; EJ Mitsui
Girls Final (17 & under): Kendal Krebs; Kellee Krebs; Bailey Nagy; Dax McGill
Women's Final (18+): Izumi Balewin; Laurie Rodman; Dana Tortuga; Susan Nishida
Menehune Final (11 & Under): Dax McGill; Finn McGill; Eli Gates; Noa Mizuno
Menehune 1A: Finn McGill; Michael Ikalani; Kylie Nagy; Kainalu Ham-Young
Masters Final (25-34): Thomas Spear; Darren Mahoe; Bruno Silva; Bryce Yamashita
Senior Men's Final (35-44): Shannon Silva; Sheldon Porirer; Stephen O'Brien
Grand Master Final (45+): Kal Faurot; Raymond Shito; Tommy Reyes; Beau Hodges

LONGBOARD:

Junior Men's Final: Nelson Ahina
Men's Final: Justin Mitsui; Laakea Davis; Waikea Winchester; Daniel Johansan
Senior Men's Final: Gavin Hasegawa; John Quisano; Gino Bell; Daniel Stein
Grand Master Final: Tommy Reyes; Layton Sun; Stephen Katayama; Bob Kim
Open Final: Jackson Hollingworth; Banina Walsh & Micah Liana tied second
Girls Final: Kylie Rodman; Kelly Graf; Tia Blanco; Cayla Moore
Women's Final: Dana Tortuga; Izumi Balewin; Heather Faustin; Susan Nishida

SUP:
Stand-Up Paddle Final: Alika Willis; Edmund Pestana; Kyle Kinimaka; Gary Shounk

BODYBOARD:
Boys Final: Micah Liana
Men's Final: Mark Gervacio; James Clancy
Drop-knee Final: Rudy Gaco; James Clancy

For more information: www.hasasurf.org

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