Back to Surf HomeConditions in the morning were perfect and glassy with waves in the four- to eight-foot range for the Fourth Annual Quiksilver Longboard Championship held Jan. 30, at Makaha Beach, in memory of Rell Sunn. First round standouts included Sion Milosky with his polished backside attack, Daniel Kalahiki looking very smooth, Dave Parmenter with excellent wave selection, David Banquil with his stylish dropknee cutbacks, Brian Keaulana with beautiful carves off the top, and both Lance Ho'okano and Bonga Perkins on fire.
By the afternoon the winds had picked up a little, but the waves were still cranking. In Round Two, Jim Teal and Duane Desoto were making their presence known. Also creeping through the field of competitors were Guy Pere, Chris Vandervoort and Ezra Rodrigues who all made the semis. David Banquil also snuck into the semis with his "high third" in Round Three.
Being last year's winner and seeded in the semis, Rusty Keaulana finally made his appearance. Russ K put on one hell of a show, keeping Lance Ho'okano humble for now. Bonga Perkins was in top form and advanced into the finals as well, along with Mel Pu'u.
Right before the final started, a big set rolled through. Lance found himself sitting way outside. As he watched the others pick off waves on the inside, he sat patiently. When his wave finally came, it was a beauty. Lance took off and immediately ran to the nose for a long noseride across the outside section. He stepped back and as he was setting up for his next maneuver Bonga yelled, "Do something!" Right then Lance dug into his bottom turn and went straight up, slamming his board into the lip and coming down perfectly, and he followed with another devastating carve on the open face. After backing that ride up with two more solid rides, it was Lance in first place, Bonga in second, Russ K in third and Mel Pu'u in fourth.
This was the first qualifier for Hawaiian Longboarders to gain a slot at the Oxbow World Championships in the Canary Islands in October. Mahalo to Glen Moncata and Quiksilver for the free grinds and great event.
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