KAILUA-KONA — Just a little north of Kailua-Kona, the wind may have canceled the final round of the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai, but in town, the conditions were perfect and the waves were plentiful for the 22nd annual Shane Dorian Keiki Classic at Banyans on Saturday.
KAILUA-KONA — Just a little north of Kailua-Kona, the wind may have canceled the final round of the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai, but in town, the conditions were perfect and the waves were plentiful for the 22nd annual Shane Dorian Keiki Classic at Banyans on Saturday.
Entry spots for the long-standing surfing event filled up in less than three hours as 64 keiki looked to have a little fun on the water.
“The competition was great and we were blessed with incredible surf,” said Dorian, a professional surfer from the Big Island who is also the tournament director and organizer. “Mother Nature really came through for us. For some of the little guys, some of the waves may have been too big for them, but the older kids were stoked because they had a chance to surf some waves with power and do all the big moves and tricks.”
For Chloe Smith, the Keiki Classic is a perfect time to let her competitive side loose. She has competed in the annual event on multiple occasions.
“I am naturally a competitive person and I don’t think I would surf the same if I didn’t compete,” Smith said. “It was pretty fun out there today. The waves were consistent and pretty shreddable.”
The event is free for the kids, which Dorian prides himself in.
“This is a grassroots event,” Dorian said. “It is not about sponsors or branding, it is purely to make a really cool, fun day for the local community and kids.”
The Keiki Classic also allowed the kids a chance to rub elbows with some of the best pro surfers in the world, including 11-time world champion Kelly Slater.
“Big Islanders don’t get a chance to see a lot of pro surfing and we have eight of them here,” Dorian said. “We have what we call an expression session where the kids have a chance to meet the surfers and then the pros go out and surf. It’s a very special situation.”
This particular Keiki Classic was also special to Dorian because it marked the first time his son Jackson competed in the event.
“I am a nervous parent,” Dorian said. “I am always nervous for the kids but it is different when it is your own kid. He is pretty new to surfing and it is a lot of fun for me to watch.”