Keiki Surf Meet Keeps On Giving
The 2013 Shorebreak Classic at Kalama Beach Park attracted its largest field of keiki surfers in nine years, with 163 contestants crowding the lineup.
The Sept. 7 event also earned more than $1,700 from raffle tickets for this year’s recipient, Hawaii Autism Foundation, which was established by Kailua couple Don and Julianne King on behalf of their son.
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Meet organizers Sean Yano and Mike Miller were amazed at how the weather and surf cooperated at the last minute to create perfect conditions. “It was clear the boys pulled through for the keiki,” they stated, referring to the four Kailua watermen men who are memorialized at the event: Peter Miller, Jason Bogle, David Aluli and Jeff Barbieto.
Support also came through from two dozen sponsors and merchants. Each contestant went home with a generous prize pack, each division winner got a new surfboard, and four youths also won surfboards “for their positive attitudes and good sportsmanship.” These recipients were Leah Clark, Brisa Hennessy, Shea Freedman and Casper O’Neil.
First-place division winners were Kian Aquino (boys 14-16), Tabatha Knudsen (girls 16 and under), Neil Piper (boys 10-13), Diego Ferri (mixed, 7-9) and Ezra Clark (mixed 6 and under).
“The entire awards ceremony was very moving and heartwarming for the keiki, parents and volunteers,” the men said. “It was a time for everyone to reflect on what it’s truly all about – providing keiki with an opportunity to build confidence, sports-manship and friendships through surfing, and the entire community coming together to remember Kailua’s best.”
