Pa’ia Bay Beachfest Takes Two Days to Finish

Brandon Shine had a big weekend at Paia Bay, finishing second in the Open Men’s division and third in the Drop Knee division.

By Rodney S. Yap

This year’s annual Pa’ia Bay Beachfest drew a record number of participants, forcing the organizers to extend the competition one more day.

Preliminary heats and semifinals were held on Saturday, Jan. 18, with the finalists in all six divisions returning on Sunday, Jan. 19.

“This year’s event had so many contestants, we had to finish the contest with finals on Sunday,” said Olivia Solomon, the Malama Pono Project Venture Program Specialist at PYCC.

Zach Zane, the defending champion in the Men’s Open, finished fifth in the same division this year. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.

The competition is organized by the Pa’ia Youth & Cultural Center alumni, staff and community board-riders.

Some of Maui’s most talented bodyboarders and surfers showed off their skills in 2- to 3-foot surf, while more than 200 onlookers enjoyed two-days of fierce competition.

Another competitor in a very competitive Men’s Open division on Saturday. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.

In the end, Cordon Stapp collected wins in the Junior Division and Open Men. Other event winners were Manu U’u-lindsey in the Menehune Division, Larissa Kaaihui in the Women’s Division, Cody Mailou in Drop Knee and Sam Schuck in Free Surf.

17th Annual Pa’ia Bay Beachfest

Jan. 18-19 Results; At Pa’ia Bay

Hosted by Pa’ia Youth & Cultural Center

The PYCC judges and event organizers were busy under the tent for two days at Pa’ia Bay. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.

Menehune Division (Ages 9-14)

1. Manu U’u-lindsey, 2. Jarod Gifford, 3. Ryder Jalbert, 4. Antonio Mason, 5. Kelson Lau, 6. Isaiah Hueu.

Junior Division (15-17)

1. Cordon Stapp, 2. Noa Aweloa, 3. Keoki Muralt, 4. Sam Mederios, 5. Ginger Prados, 6. Per Gertirrez.

Open Men

1. Cordon Stapp, 2. Brandon Shine, 3. Gabe Tongson, 4. Sam Medeiros, 5. Zach Zane.

Wailuku’s Karlie Thoma finished sixth in the Women’s Division. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.

Women’s Division

An unidentified Men’s Open competitor gets air with this drop-knee ride Saturday. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.

1. Larissa Kaaihui, 2. Ciarra Boggs, 3. Verna Luchuen, 4. Ginger Prados, 5. April Prados, 6. Karlie Thoma.

Drop Knee

1. Cody Mailou, 2. Evan Kaaihui, 3. Brandon Shine, 4. Keoki Muralt, 5. Jason S, 6. Gabe Tongson.

Free Surf

1. Sam Schuck, 2. Logan Bedanno, 3. Jackson Bunch, 4. Cody K, 5. Charlie Wai, 6. Kelson Lau.