Page 7 - MidWeek West - April 19, 2023

A loha, surfers and beachgoers. In mid- April, we finally saw the North Shore wake up with some relatively small 4-foot north swells. Plus, we’ve been cranking with trades and trade swells for weeks now. The southern shores are stirring a bit more, too. It’s enlightening and en- livening to witness nature’s seasonal patterns mixed with
BY GARY KEWLEY
Surf Contest Keeps Local Keiki Stoked
APRIL 19, 2023 7
the variations.
The 45th annual Rell Sunn
years ago was all about rais- ing awareness for health and breast cancer, the environ- ment and keiki. Our future surfing legends will ride this wave forever.
ble the entire day. Each had to get past several world champs on the way to victory. This re- ally shook up the latest ratings with Tyler going to No. 2 be- hind fellow Australian Molly Picklum and Ethan ramping to No. 4. Meanwhile, former No. 1 Jack Robinson of Aus- tralia dropped to No. 2 and the top spot went to João Chianca of Brazil.
Menehune Surf Contest took place April 8-9.
Though there wasn’t much surf, the kids made the most of what was offered and got fully stoked. Just think — some of the keiki who surfed in the initial years of the com- petition are now over 50 years old. There aren’t many better things in life than hanging out at the beach with family and friends for a great cause.
The legendary queen of Mākaha, Kelli Sunn, con- tinues to positively impact this land and its people even though she passed away from cancer in 1998. In 1983, Rell was diagnosed with breast cancer and for 15 years she battled it. She kept surfing and competing throughout herfinalyears,withaninspi- rational and positive attitude. Surf News Network was hon- ored and privileged to have her on its team of reporters in the 1980s and 1990s. She did everything with commitment, talent and aloha.
“And you give from here (the heart) until you have nothing else to give,” Rell once stated.
The event supports the Rell Sunn Educational Fund.
In other news, The World Tour finished its fourth event, the Rip Curl Pro, on April 11 at Bells Beach in Australia. It was fitting that the Aussies made a clean sweep. From the semis to final heats, it was all about Australia and tradition- al owners of the land — the Worimi people — who have been hosting this iconic ven- ue. An all-Aussie final hasn’t happened since 1991.
Hawai‘i’s Seth Moniz sits at 17th so he’s right on the edge of qualification. He has to do well at Margaret River, which is stop No. 5 and gets underway April 24 to May 4.
The annual Rell Sunn Menehune Surf Contest took place on April 8-9.
PHOTO COURTESY RELL SUNN MENEHUNE SURF CONTEST
Mahalo to Jan Sunn-Carrei- ra and all the volunteers and leaders who keep giving for this event.
If you’re wondering about John John Florence, he made the cut at No. 7. The only other American man in the top 10 is California’s Griffin Colapinto.
The event she created 45
gary@surfnewsnetwork.com
The surf was less than hoped for but the perfor- mances were jaw dropping. On the final day, the waves were 2-3 feet and “gutless,” so the competitors had to generate their own speed.
The United States’ wom- en are doing better. Caris- sa Moore is No. 3, Tatiana Weston-Webb — a Kaua‘i resident representing Brazil — is No. 5, California’s Car- oline Marks sits at No. 6 and Hawai‘i’s Gabriela Bryan and Bettylou Sakura Johnson are both in at No. 7.
Two-time world champ Tyler Wright and bright star Ethan Ewing were unstoppa-
GQ, droppin’ in 4 U!