The groms were charging hard last Saturday during the 24th annual Uncle Shane’s Keiki Classic surfing contest. The contest, hosted by professional big wave surfer Shane Dorian, is an event the Big Island surfing community looks forward to every year.
The Keiki Classic featured two divisions for boys and girls, keiki 13-and-under and juniors 14-17.
Banyans, a popular Kona surf spot, was the perfect backdrop for the spirited competition with ideal weather conditions and consistent 2-4 foot waves throughout the day.
Jerome Marks and Black Unlimited surf rescue were on hand to keep the competitors safe. Other than a couple sea urchin encounters, the day was trouble-free.
The highlight of the day for many attendees was an expression session with some of the top pros in the business performing for the keiki. All eyes were on the water as Kelly Slater, Shane Dorian, Seth Moiz, Ulu Boy Napeahi and the other pros put on a show.
Once the pros got out of the water the four finalists from each division got ready to compete for the Keiki Classic title.
In the keiki girls division, Dani Sale took the title with Kelea Gonsales, Opal Dowdy, and Shavani Urubio rounding out the top four.
The keiki boys division had the largest number of competitors, and the most spirited competition, with a couple of interference penalties playing a part in the outcome of the finals. Despite having wana spines removed from his foot after an earlier heat, Jackson Dorian placed first with Tosh Stratton, Angelo Dowdy and Diesel Butts placing second through fourth.
The junior girls division saw Hilo’s Rumor Butts take the top spot. She was joined in the top four by Malaika Bishaw, Starsea Kanikina, and Tegan Harrs.
Billabong Japan junior surfer Monnojo Yahagi flew in to compete in the event and captured first place in the junior boys division. Luke Heflin, Kade Ketcheson and Cooper Schmarr finished second through fourth.
The most prestigious award of the day, Surfer of the Year, is sponsored by the Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation, and recognizes a local surfing athlete who excels on the waves, in the classroom, and out in the community. This year’s recipient was Joanna Dowdy who was recognized for organizing a surf camp for young girls.
The crowd roared, and Joanna was stunned when Kelly Slater grabbed the mic during the presentation and invited her to join him for a surf session at the Kelly Slater Wave Company surf ranch in California as part of her prize package.
The event — filled with camaraderie, competition, and aloha — left competitors and spectators eagerly looking forward to No. 25 next year.
