20th Annual Hookipa Surf Classic in Memory of Justin Roberson

The Friends of Ho’okipa will launch the 20th Annual Ho’okipa Surf Classic , Saturday, January 9, 2010 at Ho’okipa Beach Park. An alternate date has also been set for the following Saturday, January 16.

Hookipa Surf Classic File Image.

Now in its 20th year, the Ho’okipa Surf Classic honors Justin Roberson, a talented Maui surfer who died at the age of 19 in 1989 from a vehicle-related accident while participating in the World Qualifying Series of surf contests in California.

“Justin was in the back of a pick up truck with a drunk driver at the wheel,” said Jan Roberson, Justin’s mother. “So, the Roberson family produces the surf contest to honor Justin’s memory, and to send the message to young surfers to choose their rides wisely, so they can live to ride again.”

Justin was sponsored by Quiksilver, DaKine Hawaii and AstroDeck.

For the last 9 years, the Surfrider Foundation Maui Chapter has sponsored the surf contest, and the Roberson family has donated the contest proceeds in Justin’s memory to Surfrider for its native planting projects at Ho’okipa Beach Park.

Proceeds from the 20th Annual Justin Roberson Ho’okipa Surf Classic will be donated to the Friends of Ho’okipa, a new non-profit, to continue the beautification and restoration of Ho’okipa Beach Park.

Eight divisions are offered for groms to veteran surfers. The popular PRO AM division offers a $1,000 winner-take-all cash prize. Entry fees are as follows:

$50 – Pro-Am

$25 – 45 and older and/or 200 lb+ division

$25 – Open Women, Jr Women 15-17 and Junior Men 15-17

$20 – Grom Boys 12-14, Grom Girls 12-14

$15 – Menehune Boys and Girls 11 and younger

Beach entries welcome. Check in at 7:30 a.m. Entry forms at Hana Hwy Surf in Paia

Event sponsors include Volcom, Da-Kine Hawaii, HGA, and Hana Hwy Surf in Paia.