Hawaiians Dominate at Rip Curl Gromsearch At Kewalo Basin

Derek Wong

Despite overcast conditions and bleak surf, Hawaii’s top talent lit up Kewalo Basin at the 4th stop on the Rip Curl GromSearch proudly presented by Boost Mobile.

In a completely sold out event, nearing 100 frothing groms, and in front of countless Aunties and Uncles, it didn’t take Confucius to note that patience paid off. “It was fun, but really inconsistent [in the final],” said Girls (16 and under) winner, Alessa Quizon. Quizon’s expert wave selection allowed for a succession of huge frontside gouges on her top scoring waves, which ultimately paid off with the victory.

Boys (16 and under) winner, Derek Wong, understood this strategy, picking off a prime set in the last minutes of the final to swoop the top spot in the 16 and under division. Wong sure isn’t complaining. The GromSearch vet can now be reached on his brand new celly, compliments of the boys at BOOST Mobile. Not only that, Wong will be big pimping at the BOOST Mobile Pro, as he also won an all-expenses paid sojourn to check out the event VIP style.

Several of the competitors entered multiple divisions, making it an exhausting day for rippers like double-division finalist, Keanu Asing. “I had to surf back-to-back and they were 20-minute heats so I was real tired,” said Asing, who surfed at least six heats that day. “But I was so amped [in the finals]. Still, I didn’t think I won.” Although Keanu, 13, took fourth in the Boys (16 and under) division, the 16 and under final served as a warm up for his subsequent Boys (14 and under) final heat. Keanu threw himself into the first set rolling through his second final, while putting his notorious backside hack on rapid fire. This set the tone for the young shredders dominance.

Despite the high stakes, the vibe at this regional event wasn’t one of stiff rivalry between competitors, but rather friendly opposition. “I have fun doing this contest,” said Boys (12 and under) winner Luke Hitchcock. “I just like surfing with all my friends.” Despite a controversial interference call preventing FBI-representer and new NSSA National Champ, Kealamakai Naihe, from claiming victory, the Garden Isle prodigy took the bull by the horns and claimed his 2nd consecutive GromSearch victory (Hitchcock won Huntington Beach).

The top two finishers in each division walked away with a little extra flare in their shakas. The reason being that they have qualified for the touted invite to the Rip Curl GromSearch National Final presented by Boost Mobile, taking place November 3 where there’s enough prize money, trips, and clout to give away than these grommets can handle.

The GromSearch revolution takes aim at Santa Cruz Aug. 4, before wrapping up the tour on the East “but not least” Coast, Aug. 11-19. Stay tuned to www.RipCurl.com for more info.

Boys (16/under):
1 - Derek Wong
2 - Nathan Carvalho
3 - Lahikiola Minamishin
4 - Keanu Asing

Alessa Quizon & Derek Wong

Boys (14/under):
1 - Keanu Asing
2 - Ezekiel Lau
3 - Matty Costa
4 - Isaiah Moniz

Boys (12/under):
1 - Luke Hitchcock
2 - Kealamakai Naihe
3 - Kaoliopuuwai Kahokuloa
4 - Isaiah Moniz

Girls (16/under):
1 - Alessa Quizon
2 - Tatiana Weston-Webb
3 - Alyssa Wooten
4 - Hana Harrison

 

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