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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NEW YORK — Shares of apparel maker Volcom Inc. fell on Friday, after an analyst said the outdoor sports apparel sector is weak and downgraded the stock.

Shares tumbled $1.05, or 7.2 percent, to $13.50 during midday trading. The stock has traded between $6.39 and $28.88 during the past 52 weeks.

Last month, Volcom said its first-quarter profit fell but beat expectations. But Robert W. Baird analyst Mitch Kummetz said in a client note Friday that Volcom’s results are not only being challenged by the weak retail environment in general, but specifically the weak surf/skate/snow sector. Volcom sells skating- and surfing-style clothing and accessories.

“Upon reported first-quarter results, Volcom commented that it is starting to see signs of a positive shift in the landscape,” Kummetz wrote. “But since then, evidence is beginning to mount to the contrary, including comments from key customers, close competitors, and consensus from the overall core surf/skate/snow market.”

Although Kummetz said Volcom is the strongest apparel brand in its core market, he cut his rating and lowered his price target to $15 from $16.

The moves “reflect our opinion that the environment will remain more difficult over the near term than we had previously anticipated and do not reflect any deterioration of the Volcom brand,” he noted.

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Rip Curl International today announced the appointment of Olivier Cantet as its new Group Chief Executive Officer. The appointment will be effective from July 1, 2009.

Olivier has been with Rip Curl since 2003 in his current regional role of European CEO and he will continue to manage that business alongside his new group responsibilities. Olivier takes over as Group CEO from Francois Payot, who has held the group position since 2006.

Chairman of the Rip Curl Board of Directors, Ahmed Fahour today said “We thank Francois for his outstanding leadership of the past two years, for stabilising the Rip Curl Group and for preparing Olivier and the new generation of leaders to take the company to its next level of success.”

Francois will resume his former role as Founder Director on the Rip Curl Board alongside Brian Singer and Doug Warbrick.

In announcing Olivier’s additional responsibility as Group CEO, the Rip Curl Founder Directors said, “Olivier has been a great leader in Europe and he has grown our business there in an impressive manner. We are proud to have appointed an internal candidate who lives the Rip Curl values. Over the last six years this keen surfer and expert mountaineer has dedicated his passion to Rip Curl and all the brand stands for. We are extremely confident in him.”

On his appointment, Olivier said “I have so far enjoyed my time with Rip Curl which is a great Australian born company. Our international group is in solid shape after Francois Payot’s term and the executive team and I are focussed on growing the business globally. I look forward to continuing my personal search inside the ultimate surfing company and to continuing my work on the Board with Brian, Doug, Francois, and Ahmed in their ambitious plans for Rip Curl’s future.”