POIPU – Kauaians took their fair share of victories at the first NSSA (National Scholastic Surfing Association) contest of the season, held last weekend at Prince Kuhio’s in Poipu. Over 150 contestants from across the State took part in the
POIPU – Kauaians took their fair share of victories at the first NSSA (National Scholastic Surfing Association) contest of the season, held last weekend at Prince Kuhio’s in Poipu.
Over 150 contestants from across the State took part in the competition at P.K’s, which featured 3 to 4 feet of surf.
Kauaian Tyler Netwon won the Open Boys event. Granger Larsen of Maui took second and Alex Smith, also from Kaua’i, took third.
Kaua’i’s Casey Satterfield won the Explorer Boys event over Maui’s Kai Barger. Soleil Farnworth took third.
Kyle Ramey was edged by Big Island’s Casey Brown in the Open Juniors. Ramey took second and Big Island’s Tonino Benson took third.
Oahu’s Lani Hunter won the Open Women’s event, beating out Kauaians Alana Blanchard (second) and Alana Brennan (third).
Andrianna Mendivil was Kaua’i’s top finisher in the Explorer Girls division. She took third, followed by Kauaians Bethany Hamilton, Alana Brennan and Ashley Fagerstad. Lelani Gryde and Shay Hodges took first and second.
Larsen won the Explorer Menehune event. Kauaians Tyler Netwon (second) and Alex Smith (third) followed.
Kawika Stillwell took first in the Explorer Men division. Maui’s Nick King and Oahu’s Hoku Webb took second and third.
The Explorer Senior divison was won by Tyrone Fitzpatrick, followed by Shea Hodges and Andrianna Mendivil.
It was an all Oahu finish for the Open Mini Grom and Explorer Super Seniors divisions. Carrisa Moore, John John Florence and Ezeekiel Lau were the top three finishers in the Open Mini Grom. Brian Suratt, Rik Iaconotti and Raymond Shito were 1,2,3 in the Super Seniors.
In Explorer Juniors, Oahu’s T.J. Barran took first; Hank Gaebell second; and Maui’s Ola Eleogram third.
Eleogram also won the Open Men. Dustin Cuizon and Nathan Carroll, each from Oahu, took second and third.
Big Island’s Ricky Alvarel won the Explorer Bodyboard bracket. He beat out Tucker Bontecou and Daniel Mattews, of Calif.
The contest was the first of nine which will be held across the State throughout the year. Surfers must compete in 6 to qualify for the regional championship, which will then qualify a contestant for Nationals in San Clemente, California in June.
The next event will take place Sept. 7 and 8 or Sept. 14 and 15 at Lahaina Harbor on Maui. NSSA was founded over 25 years ago to promote scholastic achievement in the sport of surfing. Students must have a 2.0 or better grade point average to compete.
The latest event was made possible by Harley Internationale, with help from Dukes and Kalaheo Steak.
