Waterman League http://watermanleague.com/feed/ The Waterman League - Recent Articles en Kai Lenny wins Sunset Beach Pro - Presented by Red Nose Thu, 11 Feb 2010 04:58:49 +0000  (CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS)

 

FINALS Results:

1st Kai Lenny (HW)

2nd Kekoa Uemura (HW)

3rd Kamaki Worthington (HW)

4th Peyo Lizarazu (FR)

 

Left to right - 4th Peyo Lizarazu (FR), 1st Kai Lenny (HW), 3rd Kamaki Worthington (HW), 2nd Kekoa Uemura (HW)

 

Da Hui's Biggest Move Prize: Kamaki Worthington

 

MAIN EVENT RESULTS: (click on the image below)

Semi Final Results:

Heat 2:  1st  Kekoa Uemura (HW), 2nd Kai Lenny (HW), 3rd  Bonga Perkins (HW), 4th Aaron Napoleon (HW)
Heat 1:  1st  Peyo Lizarazu (FR), 2nd Kamaki Worthington (HW), 3rd  Ekolu Kalama (HW), 4th TJ Saeman (HW)

 

Quarter Finals Results:

Heat 4 - 1st  Bonga Perkins (HW), 2nd Aaron Napoleon (HW), 3rd  Ikaika Kalama (HW), 4th Keali'i Mamala (HW)
Heat 3 - 1st  Kekoa Uemura (HW), 2nd Kai Lenny (HW), 3rd  Sam Pa'e (HW), 4th Arsene Harehoe (TAH)
Heat 2 - 1st  Kamaki Worthington (HW), 2nd Peyo Lizarazu (FR), 3rd  Robbie Naish (US), 4th Billy Watson (AUS)
Heat 1 - 1st  TJ Saeman (US), 2nd Ekolu Kalama (HW), 3rd  Andrew Lagreco (HW), 4th Guillaume Bourligeux (TAH)

 

2nd Round Results - 1st and 2nd  through

Heat 1.  - 1st Ekolu Kalama, 2nd TJ Saeman, 3rd Robin Johnston, 4th Noa Shimabakuro
Heat 2.  - 1st Andrew Lagreco, 2nd Guillaume Bourligeux, 3rd Kamu Auwae, 4th Stephan Iralour
Heat 3. - 1st Billy Watson, 2nd Kamaki Worthington,  3rd Kala Alexander, 4th Garrett McNamara
Heat 4 -  1st Robby Naish, 2nd Peyo Lizarazu, 3rd Duane Desoto, 4th Kainoa McGee
Heat 5 -  1st Kai Lenny(HW), 2nd Sam Pa'e (HW), 3rd Kai Sallas (HW), 4th Dave Muir (AUS)
Heat 6 - 1st Kekoa Uemura (HW), 2nd  Arsene Harehoe (TAH), 3rd Bryce Saeman (US), 4th Rico Leroy (FR)
Heat 7 - 1st Bonga Perkins (HW), 2nd Keali'i Mamala (HW), 3rd Kekoa Auwae, 4th Chuck Patterson
Heat 8  -1st Aaron Napoleon (HW),2nd Ikaika Kalama (HW), 3rd Jamie Mitchell (AUS),4th Kalani Kahalioumi (HW)

Final day, 12th February, 2010

 After an epic trials event and spectacular morning for the Top 32 on Wednesday in a maxing out Sunset Beach, today dawned more manageable for the assembled riders, but still with solid sets coming through, providing the arena for the most spectacular display of riding in the history of stand up paddlesurfing competition.

 6 - 8ft with the occasional bigger sets, the whole fleet was on fire, with explosive turns and barrel rides becoming standard for each heat. Major upsets in the second round included the exit of local favorites Kainoa McGee, Duane DeSoto and Chuck Patterson, while Sunset Beach local Kamaki Worthington was shining in the challenging and unpredictable surf, as was the young Kai Lenny, proving himself amongst the collective of ocean sports legends. Also standing out was Ekolu Kalama from Molokai, Bonga Perkins and Kekoa Uemura from Oahu, charging hard and providing a spectacle for the assembled crowds.

 Kai Lenny - courtesy of Hank Fotos 

As we came to the Semi Finals, the level of competitive, performance surfing was through the roof, and despite some incredible riding, Ekolu Kalama, Bonga Perkins, TJ Saemen and Aaron Napoleon all fell to the hands of the on form Kamaki Worthington, Kekoa Uemura, Frenchman Peyo Iralour and the youth phenom, Kai Lenny.

 Head Judge Leleo Kinimaka introduced the beach start for the Final heat, providing entertainment for the assembled crowds as the riders not only had to focus on the waves, but also the fearsome Sunset Beach shorebreak! What followed was one of the most spectacular finals imaginable, with all riders pulling out the stops to be crowned Champion of the Sunset Beach Pro, presented by Red Nose: Kekoa Uemura was on fire and putting it all on the line, to the point that he also earned the award for the most radical wipeout! Kamaki Worthington, fresh from an epic semi final (where he was presented with the Single biggest move award by Da Hui and a $1,000 for his efforts), was still charging hard, with critical turns and fluid riding at his homebreak. Frenchman Peyo Lizaruzu was still demonstrating his exceptional ability and demonstrating that his position in this prestigious final was more than deserved. But all this talent and performance riding was not enough to stop 17 year old Kai Lenny from dominating from start to finish, with an incredible display of performance riding and event maturity that was way beyond his years. 

 Kai Lenny - courtesy of Hank Fotos

As Champion of the first ever World Championship event, stop one on the Stand Up World Tour, the future is bright for this teenager from Maui. His talent, humble nature and focus has allowed him to take the world by storm and place him firmly at the head of the ratings after the first event, and crowned him the Sunset Beach Pro Champion for 2010. 

 

In between the semis and finals, the Na Kama Kai youth event took place, showcasing Hawaii's most talented youth, but also highlighting the non profit Na Kama Kai that provides ocean sports opportunities for Hawaii's underprivileged youth (see www.nakamakai.com). After an epic showdown, it was Maui's Zane Schweitzer who came out on top, closely followed by Bullet Obra from the Big Island and Connor Baxter from Maui. It is such a special thing to be able to witness the youth, our future, clearly demonstrating that the future of this incredible sport and the Stand Up World Tour is not only secure, but brighter than ever.

 

From Slater Trout winning the Trials event at just 15 years old, to Riggs Napoleon making it into the main event at just 12 and ending with Kai Lenny winning the first ever Stand Up World Tour event here at Sunset Beach, this week has been dominated by the youth, showing that the story is only beginning to be told. We look forward to bringing you the next chapters of this story as we move onto France in May, Tahiti in June and California in October.

 A big thanks goes out to our sponsors Red Nose, Maui Jim, Hulakai and Go AIrlines, Da Hui for their Biggest Move prize and to our supporting sponsors Sunetric, Duke's Waikiki, Turtle Bay Resort, Da Kine, Longboard Lager, Hawaiian Springs Natural Water and Hele wireless internet. We would also like to thank our partners Na Kama Kai, Surfrider Foundation, Stand Up Journal and our media partner, Ocean Paddler TV.

 


Day 2
Big Wednesday.....the day was certainly true to the forecast, as we were greeted by 12 - 15 ft solid west swell this morning at Sunset Beach for the 2nd day of the Sunset Beach Pro, presented by Red Nose, the first stop on the Stand Up World Tour for 2010. Stand Up World Tour officials monitored the conditions from daybreak until the judges meeting to assess the viability of putting the athletes out there in what was definitely ridable, but, without doubt, extremely challenging conditions.

After consulting the advisory board and the riders committee, it was decided to go for it: the goal with the Stand Up World Tour is to showcase the outer limits of the sport and the most visually dynamic and exciting action possible....what better way to do it than put amongst the most talented stand up paddlesurfers in the world out at Sunset Beach in solid, pumping swell.

As the first heats paddled out, tension mounted as some sets breaking out across the Bay came rolling through, washing through the line-out and taking no prisoners. But any thoughts that this would deter the athletes from charging to the best of their abilities and courage were extinguished with Ekolu Kalama's first ride of the day, as he made his way down the line of a solid set, pulling into an impressive barrel on the inside. Spectacular, jaw dropping rides followed from all athletes in the first 3 heats, with a stand out performance by Australia's James Billy Watson, notable riding by Sunset local, Kamaki Worthington, as well an impressive charge by Garrett MacNamara.

During the latter stages of the 3rd heat, the knock on effect of the buoys jumping up to 17 ft at 17 second interval impacted Sunset Beach, with a series of monstrous sets that washed through the Bay and turned the conditions ugly, forcing organizers to cancel for the day and go back to a holding pattern until conditions improve. 

Next call will be at 7am tomorrow morning (Thursday) and keep an eye on the site for the latest updates, information and highlights from the Sunset Beach Pro, presented by Red Nose.

We would like to thank our sponsors: Red Nose, Maui Jim, Hulakai and Go AIrlines, as well as our supporting partners, Sunetric, Da Kine, Turtle Bay Resort,  Longboard Lager, Hawaiian Springs Natural Water, Hele Wireless and Nano Greens. We would also like to thank our media partner Ocean Paddler TV, Surfrider FOundation and Na Kama Kai (please note the Na Kama Kai clinic for Oahu's keiki will take place from 9am on Sunday morning mentored by some of Hawaii's most respected watermen and led by founder, Duane DeSoto)

 

TRIALS EVENT RESULTS (click on the image below)

 

 

 Prayer

 

 

 

 GMAC

Billy Watson

 

 GMAC at the shorebreak

]]> Slater Trout wins Sunset Beach Pro Hulakai Trials Sun, 07 Feb 2010 07:16:33 +0000 Slater Trout wins Hulakai Trials at the Sunset Beach Pro!

The first day of the Sunset Beach Pro, Hulakai Trails was blessed with perfect conditions, Sunset Beach at its best with clean 8 – 10 foot waves (15’-20’ faces).

After an amazing day at Sunset Beach, Hawaii’s Slater Trout won the competition and progressed to the main event.

The youngest competitor  12 year old Riggs Napoleon also qualified, proving that age is irrelevant in this sport as he charged the waves like a seasoned veteran.

 


The kick off of the Waterman League's Stand Up Paddle World Tour had an anxious build-up, as athletes from around the world would come together to mingle, compete, and inevitably judge and be judged by their respected peers, and the North Shore would be host to yet another event close to others by date, yet distanced by medium... SUP. 

 

The Sunset Beach Pro, set to be the most groundbreaking event for this incredibly versatile sport  exploding in every direction bears the significance of holding the first event of the Tour in Hawaii at one of its most celebrated breaks.  Greeted by 8 - 10 ft perfect Sunset and 32 of Hawaii's most promising talents, the Hulakai Trials has set the standard for World Tour qualification.

 

The assembled athletes ages ranged from as young as 12, to athletes in their late forties/early fifties - a true and exciting representation of the sheer scope of the sport: esteemed and vastly experienced Waterman battling it out against the new generation.

 

As the heats progressed in what can only be called epic Sunset, the assembled crowds were wowed by the spectacular action displayed in each and every heat. Stand outs in the Hulakai Trials were undoubtedly the youth, in the form of Slater Trout (15, Maui) and Riggs Napolean, at just 12 years old (Oahu), but also our Big Island contingent in the form of Hulakai's very own, Kalani Kahalioumi and Kainoa Hauanio. Also delivering memorable performances were Eraldo Gueiros from Brazil and Haley Fiske from California.

 

It ended up being the young Slater Trout's day, dominating every heat he competed in and winning convincingly in the epic conditions, with Kainoa finishing close behind in 2nd, Kalani in 3rd and Eraldo Guieros in 4th. Of particular note though was Riggs Napoleon - at just 12 years old he shocked the crowds not only with his ability, but his no fear approach to riding, reminiscent of his father, Aaron, winner of the Ku Ikaika Big wave challenge back in 2008.

 

We then went straight into the main event, as the Top 8 from the Trials event moved forward to join some of Hawaii's most celebrated legends, the wildcards for this unique event: from Brian Keaulana, Mel Pu'u to Robby Naish and Kamaki Worthington, the first round was a roster of some of the world's most respected Watermen. Four heats of intense action that climaxed with some epic rides from Aaron Napolean and Kekoa Auwae, clearly set the standard for what is to come with the Main event: those that advanced will join the established Top 24 of the Stand Up World Tour. 

 

The first major surprise was Brian Keaulana, who took a bad fall on his first wave, causing him to have to be absent from the rest of the heat, allowing Robin Johnston and Andrew LaGreco to advance. Robby Naish and Kamaki Worthington advanced in the next heat, and then it was the experience versus youth heat, with Kai Lenny (17) and Slater Trout (15) taking on Mel Puu and Eraldo Gueiros. It was to continue to be the youths day, with Kai and Slater advancing through to the next round. FInally, it was also to be a Napoleon family day, with Aaron following his son's example, dominating the heat along with fellow west side athlete, Kekoa Auwae. It was however, the end of little Riggs' run, who despite logging one great wave, was not able to get the other necessary to advance.

 

We are now on hold here at Sunset Beach, as we await the next big swell that will come through on Wednesday of this week  

Pictures of Day 1  - Photos by - Hank Foto

 

 

 

]]> Sunset Beach Pro 6th-14th Feb 2010 Fri, 29 Jan 2010 01:03:33 +0000 Sunset Beach Pro, 6th - 14th February:

Stop 1 of the Stand Up World Tour for 2010

 

(email:eventupdate@watermanleague.com for live updates)   

Open Trials

Youth exhibition

Main event


Schedule  Location  Date 
Press Conference for all media  Dukes, Honolulu 5th Feb 1:00-3:00pm 
Opening Dinner(athletes and media)  Dukes, Honolulu
5th Feb 7:30pm 
Event Holding Period opens    6th Feb  8:00am 
Event Registration  Sunset Beach  6th Feb 7:30am 
Trials Event and Youth Exhibition  Sunset Beach  6th-13th Feb 
Main Event – day 1  Sunset Beach  6th-13th Feb 
Main Event  - day 2  Sunset Beach  6th-13th Feb 
Na Kama Kai – clinic  Waikiki  14th Feb 9:00 – 2:00pm 
Event Holding Period closes    14th Feb 

 

The Trials:

All entries for the trials should be sent to entry@watermanleague.com, with 'trials entry' included as the subject of the email and your name, age, where you're from and contact details in the mail itself. The max number of entries is 48, so the sooner you can place your entry the better. The Top 4 from the Trials event will advance into the main event.

The cutoff for trial entries will be the 31st of January. Should there be more applications than entries available, the names will be selected by the A.S.U.P.P. board. We will notify everyone by email on the result. 

Entry fee will be 50 USD.

Registration for the trials will be held at 7 - 8.30am on the 6th February at Sunset Beach.

 

Youth Exhibition:

All youths wishing to take part in this exhibition event should email the same address (entry@watermanleague.com), but with 'youth entry' as the subject, and all details as above.

 

Main Event:

The Main event will consist of the established Top 24 athletes as chosen by the ASUPP's riders' committee. These top 24 will be placed directly into the second round of the event. In the first round of the event will be 8 athletes from the alternate list, 4 wild cards and the top 4 finishers from the Trials event.

Entry fee will be 50 USD. 

Registration for the main event will be held at Duke's Waikiki at 7.30pm on Friday 5th February.

 

Top 24    
Dave Muir   AUS
James Bily Watson AUS
Jamie Mitchell AUS
Peyo Lizaruzu FR
Stephane Iralour FR
Bonga Perkins HAW
Dave Kalama HAW
Duane Desoto HAW
Ekolu Kalama HAW
Ikaika Kalama HAW
Kai Sallas   HAW
Kainoa McGee HAW
Kala Alexander HAW
Kalani Vierra   HAW
Kamu Auwae HAW
Kealii Mamala HAW
Kekoa Uemura HAW
Noah Shimabukuro HAW
Arsene Harehoe TAH
Guillaume Bourligeux TAH
Bryce Saeman USA
Chuck Patterson USA
Garrett Macnamara USA
TJ Saeman   USA
     
24 - 36 Main event (incl. of wildcards & Alternates)
Aaron Napoleon HAW
Brian Keaulana HAW
Greg Pavao   HAW
Kai Lenny   HAW
Kamaki Worthington HAW
Kekoa Auwae HAW
Keoni Keaulana HAW
Mel Pu'u   HAW
Nolan Martin   HAW
Robin Johnston HAW
Sam Pa'e   HAW
Robby Naish   USA

 

 

   
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
   
   
   
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
  
   
 ]]> Ekolu Kalama, voted winner of Hinano's Stand Up World Tour Contenders Tue, 26 Jan 2010 01:19:08 +0000 Congratulations Ekolu!

Please join us in congratulating Ekolu Kalama who received the most online votes for his rides at Teahupo'o and has been declared the Winner of Hinano's Stand Up World Tour Contenders.

Watch his winning rides here: Ekolu's winning rides

Watch a video profile on Ekolu here: Ekolu's video profile 

Ekolu will be competing at the Sunset Beach Pro. Let see if he can continue his winning streak!

]]> Archie Kalepa Sun, 24 Jan 2010 11:03:09 +0000 A.S.U.P.P. Riders Committee Elected Fri, 08 Jan 2010 11:28:34 +0000 Following the Association's Annual General Meeting in December 19th, 2009, the following 7 athletes have been voted as the Rider's Committee. The Committee will address the views and opinions of the riders in the development and evolution  the Stand Up World Tour during 2010.


  • Bonga Perkins (HAW)
  • Ikaika Kalama (HAW)
  • Duane Desoto (HAW)
  • Chuck Patterson (US)
  • Peyo Lizaruzu (FR)
  • Luke Egan (AUS)
  • Chris Bertish (SA)

    •  

    ]]>