Tandem surfing is alive on Kaua‘i and now a bigger part of the state and world knows it. Kaua‘i’s Blanche Yoshida, 54, and her team partner Kalani Vierra, 41, earned the World Title of Tandem Surfing Saturday at Waikiki, the
Tandem surfing is alive on Kaua‘i and now a bigger part of the state and world knows it.
Kaua‘i’s Blanche Yoshida, 54, and her team partner Kalani Vierra, 41, earned the World Title of Tandem Surfing Saturday at Waikiki, the sport’s birthplace, during Duke’s OceanFest.
“It feels even better than before,” said Yoshida, who won her first international title 40 years ago, in a press release.
“I never even dreamed this, so it’s not even a dream come true. I just can’t even believe that after four decades I’m back, and it’s because I’ve got such an awesome partner.”
The pair trumped reigning world tandem champions Brian Keaulana and Kathy Terada, of Makaha; Honolulu’s Chuck Inman and Tiffany Rabacal; and California duo Caleb Wilborn and Wendy Lynn.
“We got one long ride allowing us time to do six moves for better sequence points,” said Yoshida via e-mail yesterday. “We also got a couple set waves where Kalani was able to showcase his surfing skills, and complete three high point moves.”
Vierra talked via phone about the longer ride: “We went through our routine and were able to perform six different lifts and I was pretty sure that was the winning wave.”
The competition was part of Duke’s OceanFest, in honor of tandem surfing pioneer Duke Kahanamoku.
“It’s an honor to participate in something that is about the legendary waterman,” Vierra said. “Duke started tandem surfing in Waikiki in the early part of the century and for us to win the event in honor of him, I’m still on cloud nine.”
“The Kaua‘i community has come out and supported us big time, and we want to thank everyone,” Yoshida said by e-mail yesterday.
For the past nine months, Yoshida and Vierra have been competing on the World Tandem Surfing Tour — a four-event series they are now leading that concludes in Spain next month.
The Duke event was separate from the tour, so their win in Waikiki is called a world title, Vierra explained.
The pair will head to Spain Sept. 1 for the final leg of the world tour that will include four events.
