Special to TGI – Young Kaua’i surfers ripped to victory over the weekend at the 25th annual running of the Hale’iwa Menehune Contest held at Ali’i Beach on the North Shore of O’ahu. The half dozen Kauai surfers entered in
Special to TGI –
Young Kaua’i surfers ripped to victory over the weekend at the 25th annual running of the Hale’iwa Menehune Contest held at Ali’i Beach on the North Shore of O’ahu.
The half dozen Kauai surfers entered in the contest dominated the event, which drew over 200 young “Menehune” age surfers from across Hawai’i.
Bethany Hamilton, 11, of Princeville won the girls’ age 10-12 division, with a contest commentator saying she had the highest score of the event and rode the biggest wave. Hamilton is a sixth grader at Hanalei School. The final event of her heat was held in 3 to 5-foot surf. Hamilton is sponsored by Hanalei Surf Company, Rip Curl Girls, and the women’s footwear company Gallaz.
Hamilton’s classmate Alana Blanchard of Princeville took second in the10-12 girls division event.
Other Kaua’i winners included Kealei Chung of Kilauea, son of Kaua’i surfing legend Terry Chung, who took third in the 10-12 age boys division, Alex Smith of Kalihiwai Ridge, who won the 9-10 age boys division, and his brother, Koa Smith, who took fifth in the the 4-6 age boys division.
All the Kaua’i winners ride on the Hanalei Surf Company team and are coached by Russell Lewis.
Surfing legend Kelly Slater presented trophies to the winners.
