18th Annual Pā‘ia Bay Beachfest Competition
By Maui Now Staff
Over the weekend of Jan. 17–18, Maui youth hit the beach for the 18th Annual Pā‘ia Bay Beachfest bodyboard and surf competition.
The event, hosted and organized by the Pā‘ia Youth & Cultural Center, included 143 competitors ages three to 40 riding consistent three to four foot waves on Maui’s North Shore.
DJ Dave Mason provided live music from start to finish while Milgaros and the PYCC Café Program provided plate lunches for the competitors and volunteers.
The judges included Kona Kuailani, Kingsley Uaiwa, Enoka Hue Sing, Marlon Tumacder, Rick Asuncion, Cary Kayama, assisted by Khalil Heffernan, and special guests Jeff Hubbard, Jack “da Rippa,” and Archie Kalepa.
The competition results were as follows:
Division Results:
Menehune Bodyboard (ages 14 & under)
- Kainoa Lono
- Jarrod Gifford
- Antonio Mason
- Kamanu U’u
- Cody Constantine
- Devin Caloiles
Junior Bodyboard (ages 15-17)
- Ridge Lenny
- Keoki Muralt
- Jared Gifford
- Cordon Stapp
- Loeka Elizares
- Austin Kalama
Open Mens Bodyboard (all ages)
- Keoki Muralt
- Jason Sacapanio
- Mack Crilley
- Cordon Stapp
- Sam Wise Medeires
- Kaimi Lewis
Drop-Knee Bodyboard (all ages)
- Mack Crilley
- Mike Stuart
- Jason Sacapanio
- Kainoa Pi’ihana
- Cody Mailou
- Zion Zimmerman
Women’s Bodyboard (all ages)
- Ginger Prados
- Larissa Kaaihue
- Amber Prados
- Ashely Buymatai
- Taitum Jones
- Kiana (last name not available)
Free Surf, Men (all ages)
- Mike Stuart
- Marco Rista
- Ridge Lenny
- Mack Crilley
- Yasu Nagata
- Charlie Wai
Free Surf, Women (all ages)
- Taitum Jones
- Jules Bardos
- Kayo Wallace
- Malia Baker
- Kendra Anderson
- Ceciley Buckingham
Started in 1995, the Beachfest competition is the dream-made-reality of a young group of ambitious bodyboarders. The event has grown into an annual tour-de-force of local youth boasting their passion for boardriding.
The Pā‘ia Youth & Cultural Center, a non-profit corporation providing youth services to Maui County since 1993, serves hundreds of Maui youth and offers programs guided by traditional Hawaiian values. For more information about the Center, or to learn about sponsorship opportunities, visit www.pyccmaui.org.
Photos were provided by Ean Duryea, Xander Robertson, Jericho Franco, Ruby Swanzy, Antonio Mason, Caeden Flores, Keone Franco, Alex Fahland, Joe Calaustro, Kamailey Uweko’olani, Alicia VanZandt, Anna Ade, Lakota Driscoll, Kate Laurion, Peter Swanzy, and Brandon LaRue, courtesy of PYCC.