Surf Club Kicks Off with Surf, Family and Fun!

Photos by Jeff Nartatez

Good surf, family, fun, and seventies style were the main ingredients Sunday March 4 for Molokai Ohana Surf Club’s (MOSC) First Annual Molokai 1970s Surf Contest at Kepuhi Beach. Over 200 people turned out for the event, with over 50 contestants in surfing and bodyboarding events. The largest event was by far the boys 18 and under bodyboarding, with 24 boys entering the event. (See below for complete list of final event results.)

A small west-northwest swell was forecasted for Sunday, and it made for safe, yet fun 1-2 feet waves in the late morning hours which increased in size to 2-4 in the afternoon. In light of the 1970s theme, all surfing contestants were required to surf on a “70s board.” Several contestants brought their own 70s board of choice, but for those without, there were boards on hand to use. Contestants were judged based on 70s style, wave selection, and bonus points were awarded for 70s attire.

The sound of the old surf guitar and seventies music were heard throughout the day to compliment the 1970s theme. Molokai boy Sashamon also provided a live unplugged jam session at intermission. Excellent grinds were provided by the Little Grass Shack, who sold-out of fish taco plate lunches and fried ice cream. Special thanks go out to the lunch truck who also kicked back 25% of its sales to Molokai ‘Ohana Surf Club.

Surfing gurus Dan Bennett, Howard Selnick, Keola Kino, Sasha Spiller-Reiff, “Birthday” Butch and Clint Labrador judged the event and Marion Ano tallied the scores, while Todd Yamashita served as the Master of Ceremonies, and Noelani Lee and Loretta Labrador coordinated sales, registration and surfing events.

Event Results

13 and under Boys Surfing

1. Julian-Daniel Bicoy

2. Luke Kikukawa

3. Kapahu Chow

18 and under Boys Bodyboarding

1. Kyle Eminger

2. Keoni Kahoalii

3. James Puaa-Spencer

Mens Open Surfing

1. Jaia Waits

2. Phillip Kikukawa

3. Dickey Stone

Mens Masters

1. Leonard Garaganza

Masters Mens Bodyboarding

1. Bob Aldrich

Off-Island Exhibition

1. Kaoli Kahokuloa

2. Gabriel LaRocca

3. Mario

13 and under Girls Surfing

1. Hikilii Chow

18 and under Girls Bodyboarding

1. Elenka Jacobs

18 and under Girls Surfing

1. Julie-Ann Bicoy

Womens Open Surfing

1. Kabbie Bicoy

2. Marion Ano

MOSC hosted the surf contest as its kick off fund-raising event as a non-profit. The mission of MOSC is to provide Molokai youth and young adults with healthy and safe opportunities through surfing and water sports while perpetuating the Hawaiian values of malama `aina, malama ke kai, and aloha ohana. Future goals for MOSC’s fiscal year include:

• A membership of 20 youth, and 20 non-youth supporters
• Acquisition of surfboards, bodyboards and other surf equipment including matching team apparel.
• Providing after-school and weekend surf sessions at least once a week during the winter surf season.
• Water safety and CPR certification for all MOSC board members/coaches and at least 50% of its youth members.
• Four or more organized beach cleanups.
• At least two mentoring sessions with professional surfers and other role models.
• Hosting one or more winter surf contests and
• The building of partnerships with similar organizations

To date, MOSC has acquired a donated van and received in-kind donations. MOSC co-founder and coach Clint Labrador hopes to begin once a week coached practices in the month of April. If you are interested in joining or supporting MOSC please email molokaisurf@gmail.com.

Molokai Ohana Surf Club would like to send out a huge mahalo to our sponsors and supporters!

Molokai Ohana Surf Club would like to thank its community sponsors: Ka Honua Momona, The Molokai Dispatch, Little Grass Shack (Patricia and Chris), Molokai Fish and Dive, Patagonia Hawaii, Jams World, Molokai Surf, Molokai Drugs, Sashamon, Molokai Outdoors, NAPA Auto Parts, Friendly Market, Misaki’s, Island Air, Rawlins/Chevron.

Special thanks to friends of Molokai Ohana Surf Club for all of your kokua: Dan Bennett, Howard Selnick, Perry Buchalter, Steve Morgan, Bobby Ocampo, Dickey Stone, Keola Kino, Sasha Spiller-Reiff, “Birthday” Butch, Kolo Place, Charlie Young, Marion Ano, Elea, Pulani, and Kaoli Kahokuloa, Matt Yamashita, Sheri Yamashita, Mitz Watanabe, and John Thorpe.