Team News

14 year old, Slater Trout takes 1st in the Junior Division at the 8th annual Duke’s Ocean Fest

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 1 September, 2009 : - - Slater had a great week of competition. With surf in the waist to chest high region, he was able to put together a solid showing against Hawaii’s best watermen. His heats were stacked with names like Brian Keaulana, Duane Desoto, Titus Kinimaka, Archie Kalepa, Morgan Kaulkner,  and Nate Burgoyne.

Final Standings:
7th Overall in points out of 42 competitors, in the SUP Surf Division
1st in the Juniors SUP Surf Division
7th Overall in the Hawaii State Paddleboard Championships out of 200 entries and
2nd in the Juniors

“Well, first of all, the surfing part of the DUKE was really fun and intense.  I had a great time surfing with all the Hawaiian legends. It was very intimidating for me, but it's definitely an honor at the same time and trust me those guys definitely don't give me an inch of slack during the heats. They surf really aggressively, but I like it. I take it as a learning experience for the future.

The 10 mile Paddleboard race was fun and hard, as it always is.  This year I was hoping to win the Junior Division again and I really wanted to break in to the top 5 overall. Unfortunately, I ended up choosing the wrong board for that type of race. I was on a flat water 17 foot board and couldn't get a swell if my life depended on it! I feel like if I would have been on my familiar board that I could have done better, so it was another learning experience.  Next time I will make a better board choice. I am really looking forward to next year, the Duke is my favorite event and it is an honor to surf in it.”

Slater’s next mission will be “The 2nd Annual Gerry Lopez Rainbow Sandal Battle of The Paddle”, Held October 3-4, 2009 at Dana Point, California

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Ben Cortez

Team - Surfersvillage