LIHUE — Grab your bodyboard and head out to Kekaha Beach Park this weekend to compete not only against Kauai athletes, but bodyboarders from around the state, for cash and prizes.
It’s Boogie Weekend at Kekaha Beach park, with registration starting at 7 a.m. and the first heat set to start at 9, depending upon how long it takes organizer Pohakukauea Kekaualua to set up the heats after everyone’s signed up.
“I try to bring something like the World (Bodyboarding) Tour, but on Kauai,” Kekaualua said Friday. “We’ve already got guys here from Maui, Big Island and Oahu.”
Kekaualua is a professional bodyboarder on the world tour and has been running bodyboarding tournaments on Kauai through the Kauai Bodyboarding Association, which he started when he was 15 years old in 2008.
“There wasn’t much contest that was bodyboard, a lot of surf competitions, but I want to help kids to compete bodyboard on their own stage,” he said. “I travel a lot, but when I’m home, I do contests.”
From Kealia to Kekaha, the contests are held at different beaches throughout the year to make sure competitors get a good variety of waves, something that is valuable for those looking to compete professionally.
“Even on World Tour, we’ll surf two-foot waves,” he said. “You’ve got to be good at everything.”
The upcoming Boogie Weekend is today and Sunday.
Cost is $50 for entry in pro mens, pro womens, and pro dropknee, and $20 for open mens amateur, junior mens amateur, groms 12 and under amateur and stand up.
For more information, email boogiehobbit@yahoo.com or visit Kauai Bodyboarding Association on Facebook or @hatu.po on Instagram.
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Jessica Else, staff writer, can be reached at 245-0452 or jelse@thegardenisland.com.
