Tony Moniz 5th, Leleo Kinimaka 2nd, Greg Pavao 4th, Kamu Auwae 1st and Aaron Napoleon 6th (Kalani Vierra 3rd not pictured)
Kamu Auwae (Waianae) emerged the king of the waves at Duke's
OceanFest, Waikiki, today, claiming the C4 Waterman stand-up paddle
(SUP) Surf-Off. His victory came one day after winning the Toes on the
Nose pro longboard event at the same venue.
Duke's OceanFest is a week-long celebration of Hawaii's rich
ocean sports history, inspired by the 'father of modern day surfing',
Duke Kahanamoku. For established Hawaiian watermen, OceanFest is a time
to enjoy various ocean disciplines and test one's versatility and skills
across the sports.
In winning both the longboard and the stand-up paddle competitions,
Auwae, 30, proved himself as the most accomplished wave-rider and
paddler of the week. In order to qualify for today's SUP Surf-Off, Auwae
also had to qualify through rounds of SUP racing yesterday.
"All of these guys we had to compete against were paddlers &
racers," explained Auwae. "(Winning) is just an added bonus. It's been a
long three days and it was hard work getting here because you had to
qualify through the race so making the finals and doing well is a
bonus."
Leleo Kinimaka (Big Island), finished runner-up in the final of
the C4 Surf-Off and was awarded the Waterman's award for being the top
overall performer after combining yesterday's race finish and today's
surf competition. Like Auwae, Kinimaka competed in other disciplines
this week and was primarily focusing on the tandem surfing championship.
"This is an honor for me because my whole motive coming out here
was to do tandem," said Leleo, 47. "I did my first tandem competition
in honor of my mom and dad because they used to do tandem out here. Duke
(Kahanamoku) had a big influence on my father and raised my father on
this beach, so ultimately Duke has a huge influence on my life. Just to
be able to be the best waterman I can be is an honor."
Kalani Vierra
Other standouts today included Greg Pavao (Makaha) and Kalani
Vierra (Kauai), who was perhaps the most consistent across all heats and
posted some of the longest rides of the day's competition. Vierra
placed third in the final, followed by Pavao, in fourth, Tony Moniz
(5th), and Aaron Napoleon (6th).
Final Results of the C4 Waterman Surf-Off:
1st - Kamu Auwae
2nd - Leleo Kinimaka
3rd - Kalani Vierra
4th - Greg Pavao
5th - Tony Moniz
6th - Aaron Napoleon
Competitors and spectators alike enjoyed an and epic day of SUP Surf Racing in Waikiki. During each short heat the excitement began with the beach start, followed by a sprint out through the surf to the first buoy. Then, wave riding skill came into play as racers "surfed" to buoy two, often side by side. Turning on buoy two was tricky and more than a few fell. But then there was a straight out to sea downind "speed race" to buoy three. That was were the strong racers had an advantage. Spectators could see who was in first at the final turn buoy. However, the ocean waves played equalizer on the way back in. Often second and third place paddlers managed to cath the first place rider on a wave and all three would ride all the way through Baby Queens to the beach where they had to run up the sand and grab a flag. This proved to be the most exciting as racers jumped off their boards, tossed their paddles and scrambled for the beach flags.
All the racers knew that there were only 24 slots in Friday's Sup Surf Contest and they wanted to be sure they made the surf contest.
In the junior's final, Riggs Napoleon pretty much owned it from the start.... it's hard to believe he's only 12. He was so far ahead, he didn't have to run to grab his fisrt place flag.
In the women's final, C4 rider Jen Koki and Candice Appelby battled back and forth taking turns with the lead. On the final leg to the beach Candice was in leading, but Jen caught a pretty good size wave. So big, she had to go right to make the drop. She made it, but unfortunately, she caught an edge after bringing it back around... it looked like Candice was going to win at that point, but she fell, too. However, she was back up and paddling in an instant and made it to the first place flag before Jen.
The men's final was stacked. Young guns and veterans lined up as the sun went down. It was 17-year-old Cole Pavao leading into turn two; then he fell. After turn three he still had the lead. But a set came and he fell again. Swimming to his board, at least five racers passed him. They all rode the second wave to the sand, where 18-year-old Noa Ginella practically flew of his board and sprinted up the beach to grab the winner's flag, followed by Leleo Kinimaka and Aaron Napoleon.
Noa Ginella on the right in a close finish, Todd Bradley is behind.
Top 24 racers who advanced to C4 Waterman SUP Surf-Off:
Jennifer Koki; Atilla Jobbagyi, Tony Moniz, Kamu Auwae, Sam Pae, Marciano Whitford, Candice Appleby, Kaipo Guerrero, Conor Baxter, Kalani Vierra, Abe Shouse, Riggs Napoleon, Aaron Napoleon, Kolaiah Jardine, Alika Willis, Greg Pavao, Akeo Cuban, Micah Liana, Beccy Cravens, Noa Ginella, Ed Wheeler, Leleo Kinimaka, Danny Tamonte, Justin Rapoza
On TV In Hawaii on Oceanic Time Warner Cable digital channels 250 & 1250
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 25 August 2010 )
Honoring Hawaii's Waterman
August 24, 1890 Duke Kahanamoku was born. It's only fitting the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation honored Duke and eight other Hawaiian watermen and women at the inaugural Waterman Awards. C4's Todd Bradley is hosting the awards dinner. Read more at dukefoundation.org and watch this video....
Join C4 Waterman at Duke's OceanFest for a fun SUP Surf Race at Queen's in Waikiki on August, 26th. The race is part of a week long celebration of Duke Kahanamoku's birthday and helps to raise money for the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation which provides grants and scholarships to Hawaii athletes.
C4 Waterman has added a wave-riding event to the Duke's Oceanfest 2010 schedule in response to popular demand!
The C4 Waterman SUP Surf-Off will be held on Friday August 27th from 1pm-5pm.
To secure a place in the Surf-Off, competitors must qualify through the C4 Waterman SurfSUP race on Thursday, August 26th. (See below)
In
a format that seeks to recognize the complete SUP paddler, the field of
24 will be decided at the conclusion of the SurfSUP race on Thursday.
The heat draw will be made up of the top 16 placed men, the top 6 placed
women and the top 2 juniors. These competitors will compete in a
high-performance SUP surfing contest at Queens, Waikiki. *
There are no board size limits and no divisions for the Surf-Off, just the top 24 competing for the title of Champion.
Be sure to enter the event on Thursday. Cash only beach entries are encouraged and are open from 10am Thursday August 26th.
Competitors in the C4 Waterman SUP Surf-Off will vie for a one of a kind hand-painted paddle and a prize pack from FCS.
Date: August 26, 2010
Time: 2 pm
Event Overview: This race course entertains the Hawaiian Beach Boy style paddler into racing a 1/4 mile sprint - both on and through the waves of Queens surf break in Waikiki. With the surf waves working with and and against the contestants, luck, timing and heart can contribute to a surprising win for anyone.
All paddlers will compete twice. The top half of each heat advances though and the bottom half will get another chance in a repechage round (double elimination).
3 Divisions - Womens - Mens - Junior 16 and under
Prize Purse: For all Mens, Womens and Juniors Divisions we will be giving away the following breakdown:
GIFT CERTIFICATES redeemable for the amount at the C4 Waterman store.
Mens
Womens
Juniors
1st $600
2nd $400
3rd $200
4th $100
5th $100
6th $100
1st $600
2nd $400
3rd $200
4th $100
5th $100
6th $100
1st $300
2nd $200
3rd $100
4th $50
5th $50
6th $50
$3,750.00 worth of prizes
Board Requirements: 12'6" Max - leash required.
Entry Fee (includes commemorative paddling top and Duke Kahanamoku remembrance band):
Mens and Womens Pre-entry $45 Beach entry $55
Junior Pre-entry $35 Beach entry $45 (There is an additional $25 entry to compete in Friday's Surf-Off)
Go to page 18 for an interview with Dave Parmenter.
C4 Co-Founder Todd Bradley on OIA Board
Aug 03, 2010
C4 Waterman's Bradley appointed to OIA Board
C4 Waterman
co-founder Todd Bradley has been appointed to the Board of Directors of
the Outdoor Industry Association, the national trade association for
human-powered outdoor recreation.
“OIA
recognizes the tremendous infusion of energy stand up paddling has
brought to our industry and C4 Waterman has been leading the SUP charge
inland. We look forward to Todd’s contribution to the board and the
fresh approach he brings from the surf segment that will help OIA grow
our entire industry,” said Frank Hugelmeyer, president & CEO of OIA.
Bradley
was clearly humbled to be appointed to the board. “I am truly honored
to be part of the leadership of this important organization,” Bradley
said. “There are many parallels between the core culture and values of
stand up paddling and the outdoor industry. As the new kid on the block,
I look forward to gaining deeper insights from the industry veterans
on the board. At the same time, I hope to bring an infusion of fresh
ideas that will influence the strategies and tactics that position the
industry for long-term success.”
New trend is stand-up paddleboarding, in
which participants stand on a large board and use a long, oar-like
paddle to navigate seas, lakes and rivers.
Everything old is new again, and that's good news for the surf industry,
which is finding new markets — and new product categories — in a
decidedly retro version of surfing.
"The biggest thing in surf right now has got to be stand-up paddling,"
said Doug Palladini, president of the Surf Industry Manufacturers Assn.
trade group and vice president of marketing for Vans. "It's becoming a
major force in surfing — which is interesting because it's one of the
oldest forms of surfing there is."
World’s First Tandem Surf on Whitewater River Recorded in Colorado
Two-time
world tandem surfing champ lifts partner overhead in
flood-stage waters
Glenwood Springs, CO – The
world’s first ever tandem whitewater surf took place here yesterday when
two-time
tandem surfing world champion Kalani Vierra lifted Jen Koki into a
series of
three poses on the Colorado River. On their fifth attempt on the raging
river,
the duo succeeded in performing classic tandem moves such as the cradle,
swan
and "fake arm to arm" before flushing off the wave in the whitewater
park.
Kayakers and other surfers
in the river and on its banks screamed and applauded while cars honked
their
horns as they passed over the bridge above this one-year-old whitewater
park
as, on their fifth attempt, Vierra held Koki in his arms, then lifted
her to
his shoulders then over his head. “It really blew people’s minds,”
Vierra said.
Many of the onlookers had never seen or heard of tandem surf before so
Koki
said she was swarmed with questions about the sport from people who she
described as “really stoked.”
For her part, Koki said it
was an honor to tandem surf with someone she had watched and admired for
years
especially while achieving a world first.
Vierra and Koki were in
nearby Vail, CO this past week as part of a contingent of teammates from
stand
up paddle manufacturer C4 Waterman taking part in the inaugural stand up
paddling (SUP) sprint and surfcross events at the prestigious Teva
Mountain
Games, dubbed the Olympics of mountain sports. When organizers of Teva
Mountain
Games cancelled all river events Sunday due to a high flow advisory, the
duo
took the unexpected free time to travel to Glenwood Springs to attempt
to
tandem surf at the whitewater park where the river was flowing at the
highest
levels so far this season, around 19,000 cfs (cubic feet per second).
Vierra and Koki both came
to the Rockies with plenty of surf and stand up surfing competition
credentials
but neither had ever surfed on a whitewater river. Against a field of
whitewater
kayakers turned stand up paddlers who were far more acclimated to
fast-running,
ice-cold, high-altitude, snowmelt-fed rivers, Koki and Vierra who are
most
familiar with the warm ocean waters around their native Hawaiian homes
quickly
adapted to the new environment. Koki took third behind C4 Waterman
teammates
Jenny MacArthur and Nicole Duke of Colorado while Vierra placed ninth as
C4
Waterman men locked down six of the top ten finishes during Teva
Mountain
Games’ inaugural three-mile downriver SUP Sprint event held Saturday on
Gore
Creek. The Games’ SUP events were sponsored by Eddie Bauer/First Ascent
and
presented by C4Waterman.
C4 Waterman co-founder
Todd Bradley who brought a team of his top athletes to Vail in the
company’s
ongoing efforts to introduce stand up paddling inland said establishing a
world
first was the last thing he expected his team to be doing in Colorado
but had
no doubt in Vierra and Koki’s ability to do so. “It was hard enough just
getting onto that wave alone, let alone while simultaneously holding
someone
above your head and dodging debris including massive tree stumps and
logs
flowing down the flood-swollen waters" of the Colorado.
