Page 10 - MidWeek Leeward - March 1, 2023

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MARCH 1, 2023
Aloha surfers and beachgoers,
The 46th annual Buffalo Big Board Surfing Classic kicked off — as al- ways — on Presidents Day weekend and finished the next weekend of Feb. 25-26. This event was anything but typical.
BY GARY KEWLEY
Annual Buffalo Big Board Surfing Classic Kicks Off
ing world champion and the fastest surfer on Earth, Filipe Toledo.
“It is special to share cool moments with all these surfers. Hawai‘i is always one of those places where you want to get better, evolve and win events, and this means a lot to me.”
turing several surfers on a gi- ant inflatable board.
for her first WCT win. She’s now tied with Carissa Moore at No. 1 and wears a yellow jersey to signify that she’s ar- rived, at just 20 years young and only two years on tour. She thinks and speaks like someone much older and wiser.
laying tracks so fast and fu- rious that it looked like CGI.
evolve and win events, and this means a lot to me.”
It was all done in honor of 89-year-old Richard “Buf- falo” Kalolo‘okalani Keau- lana. He is the west side’s, Hawai‘i’s and the world’s premier waterman.
“I’m grateful to be here
“I worked super hard for this just training and surfing,” adds Filipe. “Last year was fun, and I got what I want- ed, which was my title, and I learned a lot. When it comes to situations like this, I feel like I’m really well-prepared and ready for anything.”
There were around nine categories — two-person, beach-boy-style surfing, the heavies (250 pounds and up), tandem and canoe surfing, long boarding, stand-up pad- dling and body boarding.
In other news, the World Championship Tour kicked off its second stop, after the Billabong Pro Pipeline, with the Hurley Pro Sunset Beach. The holding period was Feb. 12-23 and we were able to get all three days done by Feb. 19.
“It is just a jersey color, but I’m stoked to be on the top because that’s where I want to be, it’s where I feel I be- lieve I can be, and it’s just a jersey color for now because the endgame is Trestles,” says Molly. “I’m definite- ly proud of myself for just chipping away even though there are so many setbacks. Moments like these make it all worth it.”
Although he’s only 27, he’s been on the WCT tour for a decade. He knows about struggle and perseverance, and the way Filipe is surfing, get ready for a repeat. He was
and in the position I am,” says Filipe. “It is special to share cool moments with all these surfers. Hawai‘i is always one of those places where you want to get better,
Indeed, best of luck to our winners — and all the tour pros — in the next event coming up March 8-16 — the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal.
Spectators also got to see the art of the ancient alaia (standard-sized wooden surfboard) and paipo (short wooden board used for body- boarding) — not to mention the Supsquatch category fea-
This is considered to be one of the most challenging lineups to read and ride, but the pro surfers make it look amazing and mesmerizing.
GQ, droppin’ in 4 U!
gary@surfnewsnetwork.com
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Supsquatch was featured at the 2020 Buffalo Big Board Surfing Classic. PHOTO COURTESY NEAL MIYAKE
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