Bethany Hamilton and Alana Blanchard teamed up with Rip Curl and Hanalei Surf to host their first ever Keiki Classic at Pinetrees, Hanalei Bay, on Saturday October 19. An increasing northwest swell brought solid, thumping overhead surf, and the Kauai groms were up for the challenge.
The first heats of 12 and under surfers hit the water at the break of dawn to steadily increasing sets. While every surfer should be congratulated for taking on the heavy line-up that day, ultimately, 12-year-old Tiare Thompson won the final for the highest combined heat score of the day in the Girls 12 and under division and 11-year-old Kainehe Hunt took the top spot in the Boys 12 and under division.
The Girls 16 and under division surfed two heats and a final. Mainei Kinimaka, who was a clear standout all day, ultimately took the first place crown just ahead of Ashlynn Owings and Mikayla Savoie, who came in second and third, respectively. The Boys 16 and under final was won by the in-form Lucas Angulo who edged out second place Reece Leonard and third place Titus Leonard in some of the biggest, most challenging surf of the day.
While the first heats hit the water, the rest of the beach participated in relay races and beach games led by Bethany’s husband, Adam Dirks, competing for Natural High, Rip Curl and Spy prizes in the process. Bethany and Alana also set aside an hour and a half of the day to ensure that all of the competitors and beachgoers had a chance to get their poster, surfboard, book or cap autographed by the two of them.
Bethany Hamilton held an essay contest prior to the event to encourage the kids to value education and pursue their dreams. She awarded one brand new Terry Chung board to Daniel Lagana for his essay on pursuing his dream to be the head fire chief of Kauai and the other board to Madi Makana Cate who wants to one day be a professional surfer just like Hamilton.
Alana Blanchard handed out sportsmanship awards to the most deserving male and female. Kaya Lucas and Sage Tuttekow were the two stoked groms to personally receive Channel Island boards from Alana. All groms took away a goody bag with a custom t-shirt, poster, water bottle and Flex Fit contest cap as well as Sticky Bumps, T-Mobile, Zico, and Spy prizes.
Bethany and Alana Keiki Classic Results:
Girls 16 and Under Final
1) Mainei Kinimaka
2) Kelta O’Rourke
3) Sunshine Patey
4) Ashlynn Owings
5) Mikayla Savoie
6) Tiana Tomoda Bannert
Boys 16 and Under Final
1) Lucas Angulo
2) Reece Leonard
3) Titus Langridge
4) Daniel Lagana
5) Colby Sargent
6) Kai McIntyre
Girls 12 and Under Final
1) Tiare Thompson
2) Keala Tomoda-Bannert
3) Kirra Pinkerton
4) Gabriela Bryan
5) Kaya Lucas
6) Madison Sargent
Boys 12 and Under Final
1) Kainehe Hunt
2) Ryder Guest
3) Nathan Tucker
4) Sammy Gray
5) Cole Frye
6) Aaron Feeling
Bethany Hamilton Essay Contest Winners:
Daniel Lagana
Madi Makana Cate
Alana Blanchard Sportsmanship Award Winners:
Sage Tuttekow
Kaya Lucas
