photo by Hankphotos
Congrats to local boy (and Mauiwindcam fan!), 17-year-old Kai Lenny, who won the Waterman League’s, Sunset Beach Pro last weekend.
Although Kai may be better known to many, for his windsurfing talent (he won the PWA’s Rookie of the Year in 2009), his SUP skills gave him full advantage in the 6-8ft (and bigger!) sets.
As Champion of the first ever World Championship event, stop one on the Stand Up World Tour, the future is bright for Kai. His talent, humble nature and focus has allowed him to take the world by storm and place him firmly at the head of the ratings after the first event, and crowned him the Sunset Beach Pro Champion for 2010.
He is proficient in all watersports and at seventeen years old competes with Adults in World Class competition. Surrounded and supported by his family, Super Parents, Martin and Paula, as well as having Wonder Brother Ridge, following his footsteps.
This family atmosphere takes him to push his limits everytime he gets on the water. But the most impressive thing is seeing his smile when he gets out of the Ocean. He’s having the time of his life.
During the latter stages of the 3rd heat, the knock on effect of the buoys jumping up to 17 ft at 17 second interval impacted Sunset Beach, with a series of monstrous sets that washed through the Bay and turned the conditions ugly, forcing organizers to cancel for the day and go back to a holding pattern until conditions improve.
Head Judge Leleo Kinimaka introduced the beach start for the Final heat, providing entertainment for the assembled crowds as the riders not only had to focus on the waves, but also the fearsome Sunset Beach shorebreak!
What followed was one of the most spectacular finals imaginable, with all riders pulling out the stops to be crowned Champion of the Sunset Beach Pro, presented by Red Nose: Kekoa Uemura was on fire and putting it all on the line, to the point that he also earned the award for the most radical wipeout! Kamaki Worthington, fresh from an epic semi final (where he was presented with the Single biggest move award by Da Hui and a $1,000 for his efforts), was still charging hard, with critical turns and fluid riding at his homebreak.
Frenchman Peyo Lizaruzu was still demonstrating his exceptional ability and demonstrating that his position in this prestigious final was more than deserved. But all this talent and performance riding was not enough to stop 17 year old Kai Lenny from dominating from start to finish, with an incredible display of performance riding and event maturity that was way beyond his years.
FINALS Results:
1st Kai Lenny (HW)
2nd Kekoa Uemura (HW)
3rd Kamaki Worthington (HW)
4th Peyo Lizarazu (FR)
