KUKUI‘UlA — Kaikeha, with the help of the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, is presenting the Garden Island Boogie Board Classic from Friday through Sunday, July 21 to 23, at the surf break known as PK’s (Prince Kuhio’s).
The event will bring ‘ohana from around the state to share in friendly competition. Open spots are available in the following divisions: Menehune (ages 10-13), Juniors (ages 14-17), Girls (17 and Under), Open Women (18 and over), Masters (35 and over), Open Pro, and Drop Knee Pro.
Competitors wishing to register for the event, which will be celebrating its fifth year at PK’s, can visit www.kaikeha.org. Fees are $25 for amateur divisions and and $200 for the professional divisions.
The prize purse for the event is $10,000, and the Drop Knee Pro Division winner will earn 1,000 points toward the International Bodyboarding Corporation World Tour rankings. The final event for the drop knee tour is the Sintra Pro in Portugal.
During the 2022 event, 279 competitors hit PK’s, including bodyboard surfers from Pepe‘ekeo, Kekaha, Koloa, ‘Ewa Beach, Kane‘ohe, Wahiawa, Wailuku, Kailua-Kona, Waimea, Kaumakani, Lawa‘i, Lihu‘e, Honolulu, Hanalei, Kapa‘a, ‘Ele‘ele, Hilo, Kalaheo, Waimanalo, Kaunakakai, Ho‘olehua, Lahaina, Kailua, Waipahu, Kapolei, Kamuela, Pahoa, Kula, Kualapu‘u, Pa‘auilo and Captain Cook.
The Garden Island Boogie Board Classic is one of three events selected for funding in partnership with the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority. Title sponsors include the Hawai‘i Visitors &Convention Bureau and the Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau.
Support is provided by the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority through its Community Enrichment Program, the Royal Order of Kamehameha, Mark Hubbard and the APB.
Additional sponsors include Island Comfort, Burkart Construction Ltd., Hubboards, Nicholas Seymour Design Studio, Aloha Collection, Kaua‘i Animal Education Farm, Kong Radio Group/Pacific Media Group Kaua‘i’s Kong FM 93.5 and HI 95 FM Kaua‘i, TS Restaurants (Keoki’s Paradise and Duke’s Kaua‘i, Sirois Kaua’i, U.S. Coast Guard, Kaua‘i Juice Co., No.6, Mary Valeria Hawai’i, Lloyd Boards, Grady Pest Solutions, BCO Construction, Flip Flop Shop, Hawai‘i Surfing Association Kaua‘i Chapter, Triad, MRA Music, Milinda Valeria Artistry, Big Wave Coffee House, Eskimo Candy, Inky Pop Print Shop, Menehune Water, Kukui‘ula, DaFin, Action Plus Adventures Fishing Charters, Gather Federal Credit Union, The Foam Co., Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative, Airborne Aviation, Style Surf, Lawai Market, Royal Sonesta Kaua‘i Beach Resort Lihu‘e, Lawa‘i Beach Resort, Eating House 1849, Makai Skate Shop, Badger, Aloha Craft Cafe, Boogie Nation, Wailua Shave Ice, Kamoa Ukulele, Malie, Anetik, Suncloud, Waileia’s Hakus, Kaua‘i Board Roasters, Po‘ipu Surf, Koloa Dance House and Wailua Shave Ice.
Kaikeha is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization with a purpose to engage the youths of Hawai‘i in water sports activities in order to foster a lifelong respect and connection with the ocean by nurturing a competitive athletic spirit.
w Info: kaikeha.org
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
