SANTA CRUZ — Crowd favorite Galen Licht paddled his way to the top of his discipline Sunday at Steamer Lane, winning the men’s high performance final of the 24th annual Santa Cruz Kayak Surf Festival.
Licht, the founder of the UC Santa Cruz Kayak Club, beat Northern Ireland’s Christopher Hobson, Australian Stephen Farthing and Santa Cruzan Dave Johnston in a final that saw the best waves of the event breaking at Steamer Lane.
“It feels great to finally win this contest after eight years of competing,” Licht said. “This contest means … Details
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A YOUNG SURFER WITH AN OLD HAWAIIAN SPIRIT
With one foot in Hawaii’s past and the other in surfing’s future, 14-year-old Kaoli Kahokuloa has an opportunity to carry the ancient torch of he’e nalu forward in its true spirit and culture. Kaoli and his family embrace the blessing his talents bring, but understand it is a privilege not to be taken for granted.
“We want to do it the old style way,” says his soft-spoken father, Pulani. “Always stay humble, no matter what the result, and always come out smiling.”
Kaoli has plenty of reasons to smile …Â Details
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Dylan Goodale (Kauai, HI), 19, won the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS) 2-Star Vans Pier Classic presented by Jack’s Surfboards in a come-from-behind victory over former event champion Micah Byrne (Huntington Beach, CA), 28, big-wave specialist Peter Mel (Santa Cruz, CA), 40, and Santa Cruz aerialist Jason Collins (Santa Cruz, CA), 35, to take out his first career ASP WQS victory while ringing in his 19th birthday. Kolohe Andino (San Clemente, CA), 16, clinched his inaugural ASP Pro Junior win by clinching the ASP Grade-2 Ezekiel Pro Junior, also presented by Jack’s Surfboards.
Surfers competing on the ASP WQS are … Details
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