PO‘IPU — A late-heat series of breaks gave Sasha Rovinsky the boost he needed to take the Menehune Division at the O’Neill/Deja Vu surf contest for keiki, Saturday at the PK’s break in Po‘ipu. Coordinated with the help of Nelson
PO‘IPU — A late-heat series of breaks gave Sasha Rovinsky the boost he needed to take the Menehune Division at the O’Neill/Deja Vu surf contest for keiki, Saturday at the PK’s break in Po‘ipu.
Coordinated with the help of Nelson Togioka, keiki took advantage of the free admission to the contest as well as near-ideal surf conditions at PK’s generated by a southerly swell which blanketed the South Shore with surf heights from four to seven feet throughout the week.
That swell held for the contest and despite gusty trades elsewhere, did little to hamper the contest which centered around the Reform at PK’s.
Following Rovinsky, Miles Frazer, Zion Foster, Carter Sieverts, Luca Aza and Jaden Hamid filled out the leaderboard for the Menehune Division.
“Watching families, top-ranked Hawai‘i Surf Federation and National Scholastic Surf Association surfers and prominent watermen cheer on the competitors was incredible,” said Sara Miura, marketing officer for the Deja Vu chain of stores.
Kainehe Hunt topped the Boys 12-13 Division followed by Topher Inman, Rovinsky, Frazer, Curren Gasaway and Asher Dillberg.
Miura was pleased that young surfers were still able to come to the beach to register, noting how one younger brother of a registered surfer was able to compete in the meet after coming to PK’s.
Tommy Rita of Kalaheo cleared his calendar to watch the action.
“I think my granddaughter got second place,” the athletic event fan said.
Kiani Gandeza did finish second to Kilinoe Ornellas in the Girls 12-15 Division with Gabriela Bryan rounding out the leaders of that division.
Chuck Fox topped the Boys 14-15 Division followed by Christian Potter, Adahy Kessell, Noah Funaki, Elijah Fox and Kainehe Hunt.
All surfers received prizes and a free lunch for entering.
“Everyone at Deja Vu Surf Hawai‘i and O’Neill are excited to be able to offer aspiring Kaua‘i youth athletes this free surf contest,” said Tad Miura, Deja Vu Surf Hawai‘i president, in a release.
“We understand the importance of investing in our youth and our responsibility to nurture these outstanding individuals.”
Deja Vu Surf Hawai‘i, Deja Vu Surf Outlet, and Quiksilver-Po‘ipu are entities of Deja Vu Surf Hawai‘i which was founded by Mankichi Miura in 1909, evolving from a store offering confections to a general store to a family clothing store and now, to three stores offering surf wear, surf gear and skate and urban wear and gear.
Visit www.dejavusurf.com for more information.
