Thursday was consistent with sets as large as twelve foot faces wrapping around the harbor’s reef; some closing out in the channel. The current kept everyone alert and constantly paddling. A bit of a bump and chop in the wave made it a challenge to position yourself on the face for critical controlled manuevers. Due to the surf buoys moved out of their reserved places, and pieces of a shipwrecked boat from a year ago were everywhere.

Friday had eight foot faces and paddling was still a necessity to be kept from ending up by Malo Wharf. From morning til noon we practically had the spot to ourselves. Waves consisted mostly of rights and lefts showed more around early evening with the higher tide.

Saturdays conditions were night and day compared to Thursday and Fridays waves. It went from a large chopped up swell to clean crisp rights peeling to the inside. Faces were four feet with some occassional six footers. The Explorer divisions started the morning at seven thirty showing what NSSA surfing is all about. The young wolf of the pack, Alex Smith, took first place with a rough group of finalists following behind him in the Explorer Juniors division. In the Explorer Men’s Chas Chidester conquered the best waves and rode them maturely with slash and grace. Stylish surfing was shown by the little up and coming South African David Brand who won the Explorer menehune division. A surfer who I feel has improved greatly over the past year is Dylan Goodale winning the Explorer Boys with his frontside bashes. Carissa Moore once again triple crowned her standings and took the Explorer Women, Explorer Girls and Open Women divisions. Cedric Caires hung ten to his first place finishes in the Explorer and Open Longboard competition.

Sunday I was up at five fifteen squinting to see whether or not there were any waves left. We had to be a little patient for the sets but when they came they were worth waiting for. Lefts became better throughout the day with our top surfers boosting over sections. Koa Smith in the Open Mini Groms won with a perfect ten across the board; this is a grom who Clay Marzo is going to have to keep an eye out for. Matty Costa in the Open Boys earned his winning with smooth cutbacks and vertical backside snaps. Granger Larsen walked away as a confident winner in the Open Juniors making sure no one beat him as his own break. In the Open Men’s it was a rough and tough battle with interferences and solid competition between everyone. Kai Barger happily came out of the final with his first place finish.

Congratulations to the surfers who earned themselves perfect ten’s; Paige Alms, Lipoa Kahaleuahi, Koa Smith and Clay Marzo. It’s not an easy task impressing the judges with a ride to be scored at its best.

We couldn’t have asked for a more successful contest; great waves, weather and conditions lasted throughout the whole weekend. The Verizon Wireless Van was present on Sunday passing out all sorts of goodies. We’d like to thank Jamba Juice for continuing to support our tour throughout the season and Liam Macnamara for adding some great color and announcing over the two long hot days of summer. Another plus was that the motels, shops and grinds were conveniently in a walking distance from the contest area. Aloha and see you all at Sunset! Pray for waves!