The One Love Surf Shop Sea Hawaii Girls Who Surf Pro-Am"
$5,000.00 ASP Women's Pro Jr., Open & Amateur
Saturday August 16, 2008, Oahu, Hawaii
Day #1: The statue of the Pueo (owl) at Kewalo Basin Park serves as the protector of the Kakaako area; today was no different for the competitors of the 3rd Annual Sea Hawaii Girls Who Surf Contest presented by One Love Surf Shop. There was a bit more up for grabs this year because the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) came into the mix allowing for a much needed Women's Junior Pro Division offering up $2,500 as a one-star rated event in addition to a pro open shortboard and longboard division. There was definitely a division for everyone to be a part of as long as you are a girl!
With very few ASP Junior division contests in Hawaii, this was a contest that all of Hawaii's wahines wanted to be a part of. Carissa Moore, Alessa Quizon, Coco Ho, Nage Melamed, Sage Erickson, and Bethany Hamilton (just to name a few!) all turned out for the contest today held in clean, 2 - 4 foot surf that is perfect for professionals and amateurs alike. The waves were super consistant with an incoming SW swell which is predicited to increse tomorrow for the wrap-up.
The ASP Junior Division finished today with semi finals choke full of talent, it was a guaranteed nail biter for everyone... including the competitors! Leila Hurst, Sage Erickson, Alessa Quizon, and Alana Blanchard made up the first heat and Aleesa and Alana prevailed on to the finals. " Today if the surfer did not get at least two 8 point scores they would not advance," said Head Judge Jack Shipley. "That is how good the surfing was all day." Shipley went on to describe the surfing of Bethany Hamilton, Leila Hurst and Sage Erickson to be "hot" and the finalists "stunning." The second semi featured 3 top surfers from Oahu: Alisha Gonsalves, Coco Ho, and Carissa More leaving Kauai's own Nage Melamed to represent on her own. It was a good battle, with Carissa Moore and Quizon advancing just edging out Ho and Gonsalves. The final was a bit slower with the advance of the high tide. Kewalos is touchy at high tide, a bit mushy and scoring potential droped slighty. Blanchard ended up in fourth having a hard time with wave selection. Right behind her was Melamed who was outstanding the whole day and just fell short. The battle between Quizon and Moore was apparent with Moore just edging her out by a point. Moore won a thousand dollars and sought after points for the ASP Jr. Tour. The novice division also finished this afternoon.Taking home top honors was Leina Ala Hall, second went to Samantha Mah and third Kayla Flores. The amateurs came out today to score big, and Courtney Miller, Rachel Owen, Sarina Shibata, Shrutti Greenwood, Kaili Rodman, and Stephanie Lay will return tomorrow to surf in the final.
SeaHawaii, www.seahawaii.com, a local water sports apparel company is the proud sponsor. "As a company founded in Hawaii, locally owned and operated SeaHawaii is particularly privileged to support our women athletes who have contributed so much to this sport over the years" stated Joe Pickard, owner of SeaHawaii. "The goal of SeaHawaii, a native Hawaiian owned company, is to bring awareness to the drastic ecological changes occurring in our oceans. We are excited to be a part of this year's event. Presenting the contest is One Love Surf Shop located in Haleiwa Hawaii. "I always wanted to have a surf team and sponsor a contest. Now I have this opportunity to support the Women through my shop, I am excited", expressed Gina Wardrop One Love Surf Shop Owner.
About Sea Hawaii: Locally owned and operated Sea Hawaii Apparel is also Hawaii's best Eco Marine Tour. They have been in business here since 1989 and have been providing Dolphin and Whale watching adventures to locals and visitors from around the world. They have been working to bring environmental awareness of our oceans since inception.
About One Love Surf Shop: One Love Surf Shop is located in Historic Haleiwa Town on Hawaii's North Shore, the surf capital of the world. One Love offers an eclectic variety of fashion and custom made seashell jewelry. Owner Gina Wardrop comes from a professional surfer background and helps to promote Women athletes.
Results: ASP PRO JR. WOMEN'S 1st Carissa Moore, Oahu 2nd Aleesa Quizon, Oahu 3rd Nage Melamed, Kauai 4th Alana Blanchard, Kauai =5th Leila Hurst, Cocco Ho, Oahu =7th Sage Erickson, Ac., Alisha Gonzalves, Oahu
Media Details: Video will be provided for the two-day event for news organizations.
Sponsors links: www.girlswhosurf.com
Official Hotline: 808-596-7873 Surf News Network www.surfnewsnetwork.com
Event Contacts:
Cherry, Event Co-Director
info@girlswhosurf.com Phone: 808-772-4583
Betty Depolito, Event Co-Director
Banzai Productions, FLHI Girlz Sports TV,
Phone: 808-781-2535 PO Box 573, Haleiwa, Hawaii 96712
banzaib@hawaii.rr.com www.wahinebluetv.com
Molly Matson, Co-Director
molly@girlswhosurf.com Phone: 808-772-4583
Heather McGaffin, Marketing Manager, Banzai Productions
hmcgaffin@mac.com 808-358-7940
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