LUKE SHEPARDSON AND MAHINA MAEDA WIN BIG AT 2012 HIC PRO JUNIOR
PART OF THE 2012 DUKE’S OCEANFEST IN WAIKIKI
Monday morning’s blessing saw a left over south swell for the HIC Pro Jr. Men’s event at Waikiki. The
forty Jr. Men took charge of the 1-3 foot dropping surf pulling off high scoring off the lips and 360 spins. As the day progressed the waves dropped and the Queens break gems were scarce. In a hard fought
duel Luke Shepardson from the North Shore of Oahu found himself on top. ” It was pretty small but
when the waves came it was fun,” explained 17 year old Sheparson.
“It is good to have an event, keep active in the summertime, with all conditions, practice and get better
all the time.” Shepardson won $2,000.00 dollars and a wild card into the the ASP, Association of Surfing
Professionals Mens event the HIC Pro Sunset. With the declining wave size there were some tough
paddle battles. Local Queens surfer Isaiah Moniz had an advantage but just fell short in the final with a
second place check.
“This was a good event, it was small but if you got the right one it was ok”, explained Moniz. “The Duke,
he was the first major surfer out of Hawaii, he introduced it (surfing) to the world and well from what I
understand he was a cool guy”.
The HIC Pro Jr. Women’s event kicked off on Tuesday in honor of Duke Kahanamoku, the father of
modern day surfing. The surf was smaller than Monday, but the girls took on the challenge with patience
and gratitude. Selecting the one best wave in the heat was the call. ” It was a good day”, said 16 year
old winner Mahina Maeda. “It was hard but you just had to be patient and wait for the right wave. This is
a good win for me and Duke is like part of my family so it is great to be here.”
In second place was Maluhia Kinimaka from Kauai who made the final with sister Mainei, both daughters
of the world famous surfer Titus Kinimaka, the family lives in Kauai. In fourth place was Moana Jones
from Sunset Beach, Oahu, one of the contest’s youngest competitors.
The Duke’s Oceanfest is presented by the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation, a public non-profit
foundation whose mission is to financially support the development of individuals and organizations that
perpetuate the spirit and legacy of Duke Kahanamoku.
2012 HIC Pro Junior Results:
Jr. Mens Finalists: 1- Luke Shepardson, 2- Isaiah Moniz, 3- Roy Carvalho, 4- Kain Daly.
Jr. Womens Finalists: 1- Mahina Maeda, 2- Maluhia Kinimaka, 3- Mainei Kinimaka, 4- Moana Jones.
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Category: All ASP News, ASP Hawaii News
