Surfing prodigy Diesel Butts won a spot, along with four others, to a World Surfing League contest on Oahu.
Surfing prodigy Diesel Butts won a spot, along with four others, to a World Surfing League contest on Oahu.
Butts, Shayden Pacarro, Chris O’Donnell, Ocean Donaldson-Sargis, and Kade Ketcheson earned the berths at the 32 annual Quiksilver-Big Island Toyota Pro-Am Surfing Trials last Sunday at Honolii.
The Pro-Am trials serve as a rookie development league for Big Island surfers. Those who made the jump from the contest to the pros include bodyboard champion Spencer Skipper, Triple Crown winner Myles Padaca, and Eddie Aikau Big Wave winner Noah Johnson.
“The young rippers who won trips to Oahu were in seventh heaven, knowing that they will represent the Big Island on Oahu,” contest organizer Stan Lawrence said. “All surfers were truly stoked to be in the event and was a shining day for Big Island Surfing. Big wave legend Makua Rothman was a witness to some great Big Island surfing.”
The waves were gnarly with remnants of Tropical Storm Celia bringing in 4 to 8 feet surf. The dudes were also challenged by the occasional 16-foot face.
“It made for some very challenging conditions when the Northwest wind came up,” Lawrence said.
At a sunny festive beach-day for spectators, 55 competitors battled for $10,000 in prizes, including winners of the first two places in divisions earning coveted trips and entry to professional surfing competitions.
In the bodyboard division Jimmy Hutaff took first ,Sean Harvey second, Patrick Orr third, Kayin Wilson fourth, Jason Lewi Jr. fifth, and Kalalena Derego-Guerpo nailed sixth place.
Women Open winners included Danielle Fenwick first, Carolyn Orr second, Rumor Butts third, Jade Steele fourth, Mariko Nagano fifth, and Tegan Harris-sixth.
Long board division saw Ulu Napeahi take first, Crispin Nakfa second, Kaula Pilago third, Akila Weber fourth, Nalu Knan fifth, and Chris Arruda sixth.
Men’s Open winner was Bradley Young, followed by Kalae O’Shaughnessy in second, Theo Landt third, Shayden Pacarro fourth, Kiko Napeahi fifth, and Chris O’Donnell sixth.