(My full photo galleries can be viewed here: Thur, Fri, Sat, and Sun)
Most competitors where apprehensive about this year’s comp after the 2011 Festival’s extremely tough conditions. Check out my 2011 video for a taste. This year the week before the comp the forcast was calling for much the same, big wind, rain, and huge surf. As the week went on the forcast got better and better, but still quite challenging. In the end Thursday practice was big, sunny and fun. The first day of the comp on Friday was super windy, rainy and had medium sized, but sporatic waves. Saturday was pure heaven with 8-12′ faces and an offshore breeze. Sunday was a whole nother story, as big winds, rain and huge surf arrived at the lane. The waves chaged constantly all day and it was really tough to nail down where you could take off on one and where you’d just get completely destroyed.
The BBQ/Competitors meeting went off in style as usual at ASUDOIT before the comp on Thursday night. Rain did not deter anyone from enjoying; local organic beer, great food, live music, hot tub/pool and even some fire dancing. The Friday night party at Pono Hawaiian Grill was low key but a good time to catch up with everyone after an exahusting day battling the elements on the water. The big party Saturday night at Cocanut Grove was super fun, but had low attendance this year for some reason. Everyone there had a great time chatting over drinks and listening to live music. Seeing the display of every event shirt from the past 26 yrs was also quite cool.
In the end the local boys showed us all that they could read the ocean at Steamers and catch huge waves, but the Imports took home both Men’s Golds. Stefano Bellotti, Italy, in IC and Darren Bason, Australia, in HP. Huge congrats to all the winners and to Kate Duncan for a dominating performance in Women’s HP on Sunday.
A huge thanks to Dennis Judson and the crew at ASUDOIT for putting this thing on and giving the surf kayakers a few minutes to enjoy the lane. I’d also like to thank all the sponsors who make this event possible. Your the man Rob Avery for braving the wind and rain for yet another year representing Valley Surf Kayaks.
My experience as a competitor as well as my comp video will be posted next week. Stay tuned.
There are some great photos and videos coming from the event:
