HANALEI — More than 200 kids turned our for the 11th Annual Irons Brother Pine Trees Contest on April 28 in Hanalei. With 112 surfers competing in the 8 Years and Under category and 100 in the 9 to 12
HANALEI — More than 200 kids turned our for the 11th Annual Irons Brother Pine Trees Contest on April 28 in Hanalei.
With 112 surfers competing in the 8 Years and Under category and 100 in the 9 to 12 Years category, Bruce Irons — the legendary Hanalei surfer and brother to the late Andy Irons — said the contest was a success.
“I’m very happy with the turnout and how well the Keiki did today,” Irons said at the end of the event. “My brother would be proud.”
In clear conditions with two-foot shoulder high sets, Keala Tomoda-Bannert took first place in the 9 to 10 Year Old Girls category. Juliana Tampus placed second while Gabriela Bryan took the third place. In the 9 to 10 Year Old Boys, Hendrix Frankenreiter edged out Campbell Sheehan and Nathan Tucker for the first place prize.
In the 11 to 12 Year Old Girls division, Soleil Errico took first place while Isabella Kotsol and Honey Chandler followed in second and third. Joey Kaden won the 11 to 12 Year Old Boys category. Max Blue Desantis finished second while Airon Bieling came in third place.
At the end of the tournament Frankenreiter was named the Most Outstanding Boy and Tomoda-Bannert claimed the Most Outstanding Girl award.
During the awards ceremony while looking out to the crowd, Danielle Irons, the mother of Bruce and Andy, was reminded of why the competition is held.
“This is what this is all about,” Danielle said as she looked at the smiles staring back at her. “This is for the Keiki.”
