(Honolulu, Hawaii) June 10, 2009 – The Quiksilver King of the Groms made its Hawaii stop this past weekend at Kewalos. With solid three-four foot surf on tap, the heats were packed with some of the Islands’ best under 16 surfers, all charging for the cash and a spot in the World Championships in France. In the end, Oahu’s Ezekiel Lau took the win with six skins (equal to $600 cash). Kauai’s Luke Hitchcock trailed just behind with four skins for second place and $400.

As the Hawaii champion, Ezekiel will travel to France this September to compete in the King of the Groms World Championships. Bringing together 16 Kings from around the world, including winner of the King of the Groms Santa Cruz Regional Qualifier Andrew Jacobson and the King of the Groms East Coast winner (still to be determined) the final showdown will be held in conjunction with the Quiksilver Pro France, a Men’s ASP World Tour contest.

The Quiksilver King of the Groms is the only “skins” format contest in North America. For more info on the King of the Groms, go to www.quiksilver.com/kog

About the King of the Groms Format:

The “Skins” format was founded by Quiksilver’s own Matt Kechele who introduced it to the East Coast back in 1995 at the Quiksilver King of the Peak at Sebastian Inlet which was won by non other than eight-time world champion Kelly Slater.  A “Skin” is equivalent to $100. In order to win a “Skin” the surfer must raise his hands above his head in what is termed a “claim” after what he or she thinks is a high scoring ride.  The judges then assess the wave and the score is announced and the surfer must exit the water.  The remaining surfers then have the duration of the heat to “claim” their wave and top the high score. Surfers get two chances to lose as there are two rounds of competition.  They also have the chance to go “on a roll” and claim multiple “Skins” if they are consistently putting up high scores as they progress in each heat.

About Quiksilver
Quiksilver is committed to providing tools for uncovering, expressing and expanding your personal style.  Our aim is to foster the sense of individual expression and excitement – the stoke that is the essence of boardriding*.  We’re also here to spread the word because the only thing better than finding stoke is sharing it.

*Boardriding is about timing and style.  It’s youthful, active, casual, and free flowing.  There is no wrong way to ride a board.  The goal is simply to learn, progress, improve, and give it your own interpretation.

Kewalo Basin was firing on all cylinders all day, surf banging in the 3 to 6 foot range.  The best Junior surfers took on the strong currents, grinding perfect barrels and the more than occasional close outs to put on one of the best shows ever. It was a display of high preformance surfing all the way as perfect conditions prevailed all day.  Maui’s Albee Layer, who turns 18 tomorrow the 9th, laid it down heavy in the man on man final heat against Kauai’s Kaimana Jaquias to win the prestigious contest. Consistent radical turns and a 10 point tube ride sealed the deal. “The ten point ride I had priority for and it was too perfect to blow it”, said Layer. “The final was nice cause I don’t get to surf heats that long a lot. It got a little less consistent but I got lucky and got a couple good ones in the beginning and calmed down. The money helps to stay on a roll.” Layer won much needed points for his campaign towards making the ASP World Jr.Championship invite list and a cool $2,000.00.

Kauai’s Kaimana Jaquias gave it his best shot, just falling short in the final.

“The strategy was to keep him from getting the good ones but he found the great one”, explained Jaquias. ” The current was strong and it was tiring. The man on man format was new to me but this is the closet you get to the pros, this was important.” Jaquias won $900.00 for his efforts.

Stand outs included Granger Larsen, Maui and Billy Kemper, Maui who were equal 3rd overall, winning $550.00.

Quarter man on man results: Heat 1) Kaimana Jaquias 1st, Kaito Kino 2nd Q2) Billy Kemper 1st, Matt Meola 2nd, Q3) Granger Larson 1st, Kekoa Cazimero (injured) 2nd, Q4) Albee Layer 1st, Tanner Hendrickson 2nd, $250.00. Kekoa Cazimero suffered a muscle injury and did not surf the quarter round.

For full heat sheets email Faith at asphi@hawaii.rr.com.

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Hawaii State Surfing Championships
Presented by Surftech

HASA
Ala Moana Bowls, Oahu
4 – 6 June 2009

Kainoa Haas Shows the Way to the Finals

The 55th annual Hard Rock Cafe State Surfing Championships, presented by Surftech, got underway at Ala Moana Bowls, Oahu, today and the state’s best surfers enjoyed excellent summer surf. Waves were in the three- to four-foot range and reeling for the opening day of competition that featured the Junior Men’s category.

Seventeen year-old Kainoa Haas, from Honolulu, advanced to the final of the Junior Men’s division, heading a red-hot field that includes Ezekiel Lau (Ewa), Ha’a Aikau (Waimanalo), and Micah Moniz (Honolulu). Haas’ scores of 9.0 and 7.5 for a 16.5 point total out of 20 was the highest posted in the semi finals, even surpassing Lau who scored a perfect 10 on his best wave.

Haas is the epitomy of what the 10-month long HSA Hard Rock Cafe Surf Series that culminates in this week’s state championship is all about: growth, improvement, confidence building, and competitive development. In 10 months, he has gone from surfing obscurity here in Hawaii, to being one of the most promising new faces of the sport.

“When I started out with this series last year I was kind of weak,” said a quietly spoken Haas. “I was surfing contests not really thinking and not doing so well. Then after a few everything kind of came together and I won one the one at Haleiwa. It was the first time I’d ever won a contest in my life.

“It made me so confident, so focused. I realized that maybe I can do this. Winning gave me the drive and I’ve never had that before. I’ve never been so stoked, so for this state championship I’m just giving it my all.”

Haas is somewhat of an anomaly here in Hawaii, where there is no shortage of promising young surf stars and a kid can be decked out in sponsors logos from top to toe before they reach the age of 10. Many already have personal coaches by that time, too. By contrast, Haas recently picked up his first minor sponsor – Bay VI, a local clothing startup – and says that while he’s never had a coach, he has started “trying to analyze and break down” his own surfing.

“I’m hoping I can make a go of this,” he said. The boys shortboard division was also featured today with standout performances from Austin Vicente (Haleiwa), Isaiah Moniz (Honolulu), and Big Island’s Gage London.

Competiton continues tomorrow through Saturday and surf at Ala Moana Bowls is expected to remain good. The 2009 Hawaii state champions will be crowned Saturday afternoon, starting 4pm, in a special awards ceremony at the Hard Rock Cafe.

Top qualifiers from around the state of Hawaii will contest a total of 26 divisions ranging from Menehune to Grand Master, Longboard, SUP, Women, and Bodyboard. The top six surfers in each division will qualify for the national Surfing America Championships to be held at Huntington Beach, CA., August 25-30, 2009.

The Hawaii Surfing Association is the world’s longest running surfing association. The goal of the HSA’s Hard Rock Cafe Series is to offer a competitive platform for up-and-coming surfers that will prepare them for a future career in professional surfing, should they choose it.

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