Surfer Kanani Yockman is preparing to represent Hilo and the U.S. in the Open Women’s International Surfing Association’s World SUP Championship later this month.
Yockman, 38, placed second in the USA Surfing Stand Up Paddleboard Championship in June to qualify for the upcoming championship in Puerto Rico.
After spending eight years injured with a torn rotator cuff, Yockman jumped right back in the waves for fun — and for the competition.
“I was competitive about 10 years ago before I tore my rotator cuff, so I felt unfulfilled and ready to try again,” Yockman said. “I asked a couple friends about upcoming contests, and they told my about the U.S. competition and decided to give it go.”
Without sponsors or fanfare, Yockman departed the breaks of Hilo to compete against the best for the first time in the national competition in Oceanside, Calif., in June.
Her debut was impressive as she advanced through the heats with ease and placed in the finals.
The final did not have ideal conditions. Yockman caught a wave early on, and then nothing.
“The break was a totally different break than I’m used to, and I had to wait until the last five minutes before I caught my two waves,” Yockman said.
A total of two waves are counted for score, so all she needed was one. As the minutes fell off the clock, Yockman felt uneasy until she saw her final wave with less than two minutes left.
“I was looking toward the horizon like, ‘please, God, give me a set,’” Yockman said. “It was super relieving when I finally saw it coming.”
Yockman carved back and forth across the wave, increasing her score with every turn.
“Kanani ‘milks’ the wave all the way to shore. Her talent, perseverance, and passion were expressed on that wave, and her score proved it,” said longtime friend Makani Christensen. “Her performance earned her a spot to represent the small town of Hilo in the World Championship. This is a proud moment for Hilo.”
Christensen and Yockman have been surfing at Honoli‘i together since they were kids, and he was excited to see her come back after a long injury.
“I didn’t see her during that time, but I know it takes a lot to get out of it, and to get back in the water is awesome,” Christensen said. “After growing up in Honoli‘i, we’re all a big family out there. I feels like she’s representing all of us, all of us 40-year-olds who have grown up, but kept surfing together.”
Yockman started surfing and SUP surfing while she was growing up in Panaewa. She has done the same with her two sons, and they frequently go to Honoli‘i Beach Park to bodyboard and surf.
“I grew up around the water. My dad’s a surfer, and ever since I was a little kid, he would take us down here (Honoli‘i),” Yockman said. “I have two boys who are body-boarders now, and they love the water, too. We’re here all the time.”
While the surf community in Hilo is large and alive, there aren’t many SUP surfers in the mix.
“One of my favorite parts of surfing in Hilo is the surf community,” Yockman said. “There are only a handful of SUP surfers on the island, though, so I’m excited to see the best of the best come out to compete.”
Yockman will be bringing her skills to the ISA’s World SUP Championship from Thursday, Oct. 27, to Sunday, Nov. 6.
Although Yockman is ready to go, she is looking for help, because the USA team must be entirely self-funded.
A GoFundMe for Yockman can be found at https://tinyurl.com/3u6fa9fw.
“Everything is out of pocket, which is difficult, especially as a single mom,” Yockman said. “I want the opportunity to represent Hilo on an international level. Not too many people get to do this and represent the USA and Hawaii.”
Fans can follow Yockman’s progress on her Instagram and Facebook accounts, as well as the ISA Surfing social media accounts.
Regardless of the outcome, Yockman is excited for the experience and happy to be riding waves again after so much time away.
“It felt so good to come back,” Yockman said. “It’s addicting, it’s my happy place, my exercise, my therapy.”
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com.