A light wind breezed through the Salt Creek, Calif., waters this past weekend as Kaua‘i’s surfers, Tyler Newton and Koa Smith, dominated the Rip Curl Grom Search National Finals. Newton, 16, took first in the 16 and under finals with
A light wind breezed through the Salt Creek, Calif., waters this past weekend as Kaua‘i’s surfers, Tyler Newton and Koa Smith, dominated the Rip Curl Grom Search National Finals.
Newton, 16, took first in the 16 and under finals with a score of 16.37, a whole six points over the second-place finisher Oliver Kurtz. Kaua‘i’s Alex Smith finished sixth in the same division.
“There were a lot of good guys in the competition,” Newton said.
Before the competition, Newton listened to “ampy” music and analyzed the weather conditions.
“I tried to study the waves. I heard they were all pretty tricky,” he said. “I just wanted to do the best I could.”
Newton veered to the right and hit two air reverses that pretty much sealed the win.
He received a check for $500 and an all-expense paid trip to Australia for the world championships.
Alex Smith, 15, had a good first heat, grabbing two high scores. But it was his second time around that kept him from being a contender.
“The wind never picked up so I only caught one wave,” he said. “I was pretty bummed.”
Younger brother Koa, 11, received a check for $500 for his first-place finish in the Boys 12 and under finals with a score of 15.74. He edged out Luke Davis for the top spot in a surf-off that was referred to as a “Slater-versus-Irons-esque duel.”
He also placed fourth in the 14 and under finals with a score of 8.
First, though, he watched his brother and Newton surf because his heats weren’t until later in the day.
“I got to sit and watch the waves before going,” he said.
Next up for all three boys is the local Hawaii Surfing Federation meet next week at Pine Trees.
• Lanaly Cabalo, lifestyle writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 237) or lcabalo@kauaipubco.com.
