Kaua‘i’s Junior Lifeguards topped a field of over 200 competitors to three-peat as the 2006 State Junior Lifeguard champions Saturday at the Ala Moana Beach Park on O‘ahu. “The tone was set in the very first event when Sarah Faraola
Kaua‘i’s Junior Lifeguards topped a field of over 200 competitors to three-peat as the 2006 State Junior Lifeguard champions Saturday at the Ala Moana Beach Park on O‘ahu.
“The tone was set in the very first event when Sarah Faraola took the Girls 13-14 1000m Beach Run for the second straight year,” said Aaron Haberman, Kaua‘i Junior Lifeguard coordinator. “That was followed by Kaua‘i competitors Kodi Barnett, Koki Smith and Carly Matsumoto filling in the remaining slots.”
Cooper Danielson repeated the feat for the Boys 13-14 by taking the gold, followed by his cousin, Christian Tangalin, nailing the silver medal.
Nathan Martin, competing in his final year, bested his brother for the gold in the most contested division, the Boys 15-17.
Emma Makepa-Foley, five-time defending state champion for Beach Flags, was thrilled to learn that Kaua‘i still has possession of those titles when Courtney Cabral dominated the younger division and Kelly Joyce nailed the Girls 15-17 division. Makepa-Foley was ineligible to participate this year due to her age.
Ben Baldwin, one of the top swimmers on Kaua‘i, overlapped his aquatic prowess by dominating the 3x1000m Run, Swim, Run and the 200m Swim events. Kyson Gusukuma helped the Kaua‘i contingent gain points with fourth- and fifth-place finishes in those events, Haberman said.
“Faraola earned a bronze medal in the Run, Swim, Run event to lead the girls who showed well with numerous top six finishes,” Haberman said.
Kaua‘i finished one-two in both the boys and girls Paddleboard events with Erika Steiner and Koki Smith nabbing honors for the women and Bay Roversi-Deal and Ben Baldwin taking honors for the guys.
Haberman said it was this kind of well-rounded team effort that enabled Kaua‘i to defend its state title for the third straight year.
The Kaua‘i Junior Lifeguard program teaches youth aged 13 to 17 about ocean safety with the help of instructors Roy Yamagata and Sanoe Ho‘okano on the South Shore and Westside programs. Kleve Zarbaugh and Kaipo Jaquias led the Eastside program with Jody Simpson and Kalani Vierra heading up the North Shore classes.
Haberman also expressed his appreciation to Hazel Fujimoto for helping with scorekeeping duties as well as being a chaperone for the traveling group.
The success of the program would not be possible without the participation of community organizations and sponsors, Haberman said. These include the County of Kaua‘i Anti Drug Program, Ching Young Village, Country Brokers, Makai Properties, Kukui‘ula Development, Holoholo Charters, Westside Pharmacy, Captain Andy’s Sailing Adventures, Duke’s Canoe Club, Deja Vu, KQNG Radio Group, Fun Factory, Verizon Wireless, Kaua‘i Fire Department’s Ocean Safety Bureau and the Kaua‘i Lifeguard Association.
“Mike and Noreen O’Toole deserve special recognition for sponsoring the Junior Lifeguard T-shirts,” Haberman said. “There are numerous other individuals who made contributions to the program as well.”
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com.
