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last updated: 03/23/2009

2009 North Shore Lifeguard Bodysurfing Contest

Quiksilver ke Kaha Nalu Hanana `o Ehukai

Sponsored by Quiksilver and The North Shore Lifeguards Association, Da Fin, Rockstar Energy Drink Haleiwa Joe's and Viper Fins. Organized by North Shore Lifeguard, Mark Dombroski.

Many more at my Smugmug gallery: 2009 Quiksilver ke Kaha Nalu Hanana `o Ehukai

Contest Waves

Other

The People

Wahine

Rescue Race

Awards

California Crew

Gallery from Al Balderama: http://www.dotphoto.com/go.asp?l=bodysurfhawaii&P=&AID=5778477&CID=2022

A blurb by HSBA President, Al Balderama...

It was so nice to meet new friends, Nick, Larry, Durdam and Jeff and the ones we've met over the years, Judith, Mark, John, Matias and Florence. It was a very special day out there with all you extraordinary people who love to ride in the purest form. I had comments from the spongers and surfers who participated this year like we should have more bodysurfing events around the island because so much aloha was felt in the event. I guess the feeling to this contest was mellow or ohana (family) oriented and not dog-eat-dog in the other events held on the north shore. Plus this event was for the bodysurfers to get together to enjoy riding waves with just a pair of fins, enjoy each others company and to benefit the Hawaii Food Bank. Nothing more to this event. The North Shore Lifeguard Association, Ouicksilver and the other sponsors pulled off a great event considering the lack of waves at Pipeline.

Ehukai was the spot for the contest for the whole day. By the time the semi-finals came around, Larry Russo and a bunch of bodysurfers over-ruled the sticks and spongers at Gums. It was like another event over there. One surfer asked me if I thought this was unusual and if it would last long enough for him to drive back to Haleiwa and buy fins to join the pod at Gums. I told him go for it. Judith, Jeff, Kai & Fred Santos (another half bro of Steve Kapela who rips and just returned to the islands for good from Colorado), and about a dozen or so bodysurfers had Gums to themselves. It was magical. There was a lot of HSBA members and bodysurfers who tried to beach entry, but was so full Director Mark Dombroski added two more heats to make this event a 60 contestants instead of 48. Way to go, All the non contestants got their waves up or down this this beach some time before the awards ceremony.

The get-together post contest party was such a joy for me getting to know my new friends from Cali and Hawaii, as it was to connect back to my friends from before. The sunset and glassy waves in the foreground at the Rocky Pt house was just an amazing way to end a perfect Hawaiian day. Some enjoyed the flowing drinks a bit more than others and I hope we did no damage to the place. I am so happy to Nick and the gang for letting us use their beautiful house on the beach to gather all the watermen and women. Mahalo you all. It was the perfect place to party right after the contest. I am hoping to see all of you again in the future.

A hui hou

AL BALDERAMA

President

Hawaii State Bodysurfing Association

Cell: 808-864-1329

Hopupu i ke kaha nalu

To Be Extremely Emotionally Excited About Bodysurfing.

To Bring Bodysurfers together.

Video link by Mark Balasbas: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLLAKvbzIQc

Some shots by Neal Miyake:

http://www.hisurfadvisory.com/photos/2009/090320_bse/090320_01.jpg

http://www.hisurfadvisory.com/photos/2009/090320_bse/090320_02.jpg