by Eric Bunyan
One of the highlights of Waimanalo Gym's Summer Fun Program for the last seven years has been the annual Summer Fun Bodyboarding Contest. This is put on by the leaders and a volunteer group of Waimanalo's hot young competitive body boarders. The contest began with a speech by Kaui Kauhi who had just returned from San Clemente, California where he had won the National Scholastic Drop Knee Title. He was also Hawaii's Junior Men's Champion last year. Next Kaui and Mikey Bunyan, this year's Body Boarder of the Year, gave a wave riding demonstration that wowed the crowd of youngsters and motivated them to do their best.
In the spirit of cooperation of the event, the contest began with the 5 and 6 year olds assisted in their wave riding by the older children and the Junior Leaders. Samuel Trueman won this age group assisted by Paul Burnett. Andrew Kealoha won the 7 and 8 year old division. He was assisted by Matt Bunyan, who also won the staff event. Ransom Kepa again proved that he's the best at anything he tries by easily winning the 9 and 10 year old division. The girls dominated the 11 and 12 year old division led by Christina Ciacci with Brandy Leaver in second place.
There were fifteen teams in the Wild Tandem Division. Heat one was dominated by Frankie Castro and Mikey Bunyan, while Andrew Kealoha and Matt Bunyan won the second heat. This event couldn't have taken place without the able help of judges Corey Correa, Joshua Napeahi, Mikey Bunyan, and head judge Kaui Kauhi. Prizes were donated by Hawaiian Island Creations, Turbo Bodyboards, Viper Surfing Fins, Delete, Split, B2, Morey Boogie, and by Robbie Gall, outgoing national and state champ who recently turned professional. This Waimanalo resident donated a Toobs bodyboard. Andrew Kealoha won this board as Grand Prize.
In other news from the park, Christy Kiaaina was selected as Volunteer Junior Leader of the Year and was also elected secretary of the Teen Council for our district running from Waimanalo to Wailua. Registration for the fall program begins September 6 from 6 to 8 pm, and continues on September 7 and 8, from 2 to 5:30 pm.