December 12, 2009

Blessed with fun waves and support from the community, Makaha waterman and legend Melvin Pu'u reeled off another great event on the west-side of O'ahu. Three to six foot surf and glassy conditions made for high energy stand-up paddle surfing with contestants from the Hawaiian islands of Oahu, Maui and Kauai, as well as representatives from California, Tahiti, France and Brazil.

From the start, there was no doubt who was the favorite as Waianae's Kamu Auwae consistently rode vertically while driving off the shoulder and rebounding into the Makaha soup throughout the rounds. With his Surfboards Makaha shaped SUBMak 9'0" model, Auwae made it all look too easy in taking the first place trophy.

As for the benefit of it all, Brudah Mel garnered prizes including stand-up paddle boards as raffles from Paddle Surf Hawaii, Surftech, a Bonga Perkins South Point model, an Alaia shaped by Leleo Kinimaka, as well as paddles from Kialoa and prizes from the industry including Standup Paddle Magazine.

Special mahalo to Glen Moncata and Quiksilver for their huge support of this event and supplying both event singlets, t-shirts and prizes.

As for the event, this fourth annual memorial is in honor of his late friend and Hui Lanakila canoe club coach Leighton Look who was paralyzed after a diving accident and passed away late last year. Mel Pu'u has made Hawaii Olympic kayak hopefuls Ryan and Patrick Dolan beneficiaries of this fund raiser.

If you would like to make a donation, you can write a check payable to;
Makaha Canoe Club
P.O. Box 1006
Waianae, hi 96792

or contact Brudah Mel at 808.478.9086


Results:
First- Kamu Auwae, (Surfboards Makaha)
Second- Bonga Perkins (South Point Bonga SUP)
Third- Brian Keaulana (C4 Waterman)
Fourth- Keoni Keaulana (Paddle Surf Hawaii)
Fifth- Noland Martin (C4 Waterman)
Sixth- Atilla Jobbagyi (Paddle Surf Hawaii)

(Bruddah Mel's SUP contestants coming & going...)

(Bruddah Mel Pu'u)