Eight of Kaua’i’s aspiring surfers placed at the recent 28th Annual Rell Sunn Menehune Surfing Championships that was held at Makaha Beach on O’ahu during the Thanksgiving Day weekend featuring a field of more than 200 young surfers ranging in
Eight of Kaua’i’s aspiring surfers placed at the recent 28th Annual Rell Sunn Menehune Surfing Championships that was held at Makaha Beach on O’ahu during the Thanksgiving Day weekend featuring a field of more than 200 young surfers ranging in age from 2 to 12 years old.
Four of the eight winners came home with the gold as Keola Carreira took first in the Bboys 7-9 long board competition as did Alex Smith, who placed tops in the boys 10-12 short board.
Smith also earned a second place in the 10-12 body board competition, the first place in that division being taken by another Kaua’i wave rider, Travis Smith.
Erika Steiner took first in the girls 10-12 short board competition as well as the girls 10-12 long board.
Leala Hurst finished the competition in fourth place for the girls 10-12 short board, and Renee Steiner placed fifth in the 6-and-under long board.
Kaika Elias finished sixth in the boys 7-9 short board to round out the winners.
Also competing were Kyle and Karen Galtes and Vanessa Martinez.
All participants received a goodie bag from the event sponsors with winners receiving an additional bag of prizes. First place winners won a custom surfboard or body board.
Rell Sunn, a surfing champion from Makaha, started this competition 28 years ago on her daughter’s 5th birthday with only five competitors.
Sunn wanted the event to be a family affair because of her love for children and her desire to give local children an opportunity to learn the joy of surfing, as well as share in the fun of competing in a contest where everyone is considered a winner, hoping to enhance the children’s confidence and pride in the process.
Sunn’s daughter Jan has continued this legacy since the passing of her mother in 1997 following a 14-year bout with cancer.
