Hard Rock Cafe Surf Series

HASA
Queens, Waikiki Oahu
8 - 9 August 2009

11-year-old Micah Liana Fluent in Hawaiian & Surf

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 10 August, 2009 : - - Honolulu -- Eleven year-old Micah Liana is as fluent in the Hawaiian language as he is on the waves, and if he gets his way, surfing will be his vehicle for sharing Hawaii with the rest of the world. They're big plans for a sixth grader, but he's mapping it out in small steps and it all starts with the Hard Rock Cafe Surf Series that got underway this weekend at Queens, Waikiki.

The 2009/10 Hard Rock Cafe Surf Series, presented by the Hawaii Surfing Association (HSA), is the first of 12 events that will run from now through June 2010. The HSA is the world's longest running surfing association, commencing its 46th season this weekend.

Liana is a student of Kamakau Hawaiian immersion school in Kaneohe, where all lessons in every subject are conducted in the Hawaiian language. He's committed to his Hawaiian roots and committed to the surf, enjoying every facet and interpretation of the sport. He will be competing harder than anyone this season as he is entered in all four divisions: shortboard, longboard, standup paddle surfing, and boogie board.

This is Micah's second year with HSA and he's serious about pushing his performance across the board. This weekend he placed second in the longboard, first in the bodyboard, and narrowly missed the finals of the shortboard and standup paddle.

"Longboard is my strength but I'm working at getting better on a shortboard," said Liana, the son of world famous longboarder Duane DeSoto who also grew up surfing the HSA ranks. "My favorite thing about this series is the atmosphere," continues Liana. "I like the variety of divisions and how they move it around to different spots all year. I like to surf wherever, whenever, in any conditions, so this is good for me."

Waves in the one- to three-foot range were particularly suited to the rapidly growing boys (12-14 years) and junior men's (15-17 years) divisions, with the highest scoring surfers coming from these two groupings.

The Hard Rock Cafe Surf Series is specifically designed to cater to complete surfing families here in Hawaii, with divisions ranging from menehune (11 years of age and younger), to boys and girls, the aspiring professionals in the red hot juniors division (15-17), men and women, all the way up to the grand masters of the sport (aged 50 plus). Beyond shortboard surfing, there are also categories for standup paddle surfing, boogie boarding and longboarding.

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 Series traverses the island of Oahu to capitalize on summer, winter and transition swells before culminating back on the South Shore in June 2010 with the Hard Rock Cafe Hawaii State Championships.

Schedule of Events
Queens - August 8, 9, 2009
Straight Out - August 22, 23, 2009
Ala Moana Courts - September 18, 19, 25, 26, 2009
Rennick - October 17, 18, 2009
Maili Point - November 14, 15, 2009
Makaha - December 12, 13, 19, 20, 2009
Sandy Beach - January 9, 10, 16, 17, 2010
Nanakuli Tracks - February 6, 7, 13, 14, 2010
Haleiwa - March 13, 14, 20, 21, 2010
Sunset Beach - April 10, 11, 17, 18, 2010
Kewalos - May 1, 2, 2010
Ala Moana Bowls (States Invitational) - June 3, 4, 5, 2010

RESULTS FOR EVENT #1, QUEENS, WAIKIKI:
Finalists listed in order of 1st through 4th in all divisions.

Menehune 1A: Moana Jones; Makana Pang; Keola Auwae; Reef Tsutsui; Elijah Sudduth

Boys 2A (11 & under): Seth Moniz; Christopher Bluthardt; Makana Pang; Reef Tsutsui

Boys (12-14): Pierce Watamull; Josh Moniz; Alex Pendleton; Kai Matsumoto

Jr. Men (15-17): EJ Mitsui; Patrick Calderon; Keanu Bosgra; Christian Pendleton

Open Men: Chet Moleta; EJ Mitsui; Scott Shimoda; Christian Pendleton

Men: Satar Wyman; Kawailani Makaena; Chase Algono

Sr. Men: Robert Howard; Michael Sisiam; Eric Alcosiba; Matt Kenny

Masters: Chet Moleta; Thomas Spear; Jared Clapper; Alex Da Silva

Grandmaster: Rodney Nakashima; Raymond Shito; Tommy Reyes; Beau Hodges

Girls:Kaili Rodman; Maili Enos Branigan; Vanina Walsh; Heidi Choi

Women: Stephanie Da Silva; Izumi Baldwin; Dana Tortuga; Laurie Rodman; Susan Nishida

Bodyboard Boys: Micah Liana; Keola Auwae

Junior Men Bodyboard: Sheldon Libres

Bodyboard Men: Ikaika Villa; James Clancy

Dropknee: James Clancy; Ikaika Villa

Women Bodyboard: Vanina Walsh; Sierra Ondo

Menehune Longboard: Vanina Walsh; Micah Liana; Tia Blanco; Heidi Choi

Junior Men Longboard: Bobby Lusica;

Masters Longboard: Andrew Imamura; Sheldon Poirier

Men Longboard: Laakea Davis; Nick Riopelle; Lehneer Capenia; Dane McCallum

Sr. Men Longboard: Gavin Hasegawa; Keawe Bell; Alika Willis; Gino Bell; Daniel Stein; Andre Derizans

Girls Longboard: Lanikai Maro; Kui Adric; Kaili Rodman; Tia Blanco

Women Longboard: Jodi Cole; Dana Tortuga; Noelle Takemoto; Izumi Baldwin; Susan Nishida

Legends Longboard: Layton Sun; Bob Kim; Steven Rivera; Vanina Walsh; Stephen Katayama; Warren Hoohuli

Open Longboard: Daniel Stein; Gavin Hasegawa; Laakea Davis; Sheldon Poirier

Standup Paddle: Alika Willis; Tommy chun Ming; Danny Tamonte; Vanina Walsh

www.hasasurf.org

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