(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.

For Summer 2009, Quiksilver are pleased to present their Signature Series of board shorts designed by a few of their pro surfers.  9 time world champion Kelly Slater, has designed the Mo Massive exclusively for Quiksilver.

Universally recognised as one of the best surfers of our time, Kelly’s signature shorts are designed to improve performance, and with them worn by the man himself, these are a great purchase for any surfer this summer.

As one of the most successful French surfers Miky Picon was a natural choice to team up with Quiksilver to make his own pair of signature board shorts named after himself; ‘The Miky’ Another Quiksilver pro designing his own pair of the ‘Mo Massive’ is Jeremy Flores. Similar to Kelly’s signature design Flores has opted for bright colours, making his shorts stand out whilst on the waves.

Known as one of the most creative surfer’s on the tour, American born Dane Reynolds, has transferred this energy and coolness to his own signature short called ‘The Cool Out’.

Finally the last to put his own stamp on the Quiksilver board shorts is Mustafa who has called his ‘Tunnel Vision’.

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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