The annual Steve Cooney Surf Contest & Air Show was held October 8, 2011 at Ho'okipa Beach Park. It was a day of fun and competition that was attended by many of Maui's top pro surfers, amateurs and plenty of kids. The annual contest is held in honor of Steve Cooney, pro Maui H.G.A. surfer, who died in a car accident in Haiku in November of 2004. Steve’s surfing style and ability to boost airs on the waves, became famous via many surfing magazines and videos throughout the world. His personality made him famous among all that had the pleasure of knowing him.
The legend of Steve Cooney lives on in tattoos etched on surfer's backs, on stickers that adorn their trucks' bumpers, classic surf videos such as HGA's "Easily Amused", the annual contest and in our hearts.
Check out this old-school video of Steve Cooney below. I believe it was posted on youtube by Dennis Early (Friction Films) and filmed mostly by Chris Tronolone & Dennis over a decade ago. There are a couple shots of Steve at Honolua Bay in this video that I filmed myself : ) (Sorry - the music it's edited to has vulgar language.) It's not the highest quality of a download, but you'll get the idea of Steve's highest level of talent.
This year's Steve Cooney Surf Contest & Air Show was sponsored by Volcom, Hana Highway Surf (Jud and Kelli Lau), Ho'okipa Grom Association (H.G.A.), Mana Foods, Flatbread Pizza, Pa'ia Bay Coffee. (Let me know if I left anyone out!) They had over 140 competitors, including 55 in the pro-am division and over 20 in the mini-grom (8 & under) division. It was great to see all the up-and-coming Maui surfer groms. I'm sure Steve would be stoked to see all the airs and 360's the kids were pulling! Check out www.hanahwysurf.com to see action photos from the event.
Even though the waves were pretty small that day, there were some good sets that came through and there was some great Ho'okipa action. It was a beautiful day of family fun.
The way someone surfs tells a lot about their personality. Steve Cooney charged, made us laugh, lived on the edge and followed his dream. I clearly remember his sweet voice, contagious humor and warm hugs. I also am sure Steve's surf style has influenced many young surfers including both of my sons. Thank you Steve for living so brightly and thanks to all the boys, girls, men and women for continuing the sport & art of surfing!
Steve Cooney Contest t-shirts are available for sell for $20. To purchase yours, send an e-mail to hanahwysurf@hawaiiantel.net.
CONTEST RESULTS (courtesy of Hana Hwy Surf)
Pro-Am
1 Albee Layer
2 Kai Barger
3 Ahanu Tson-Dru
4 Kaleo Roberson
5 Kiva Rivers
6 Granger Larson
Junior Men
1 Tyler Larronde
2 Dylan Aoki-Walsh
3 Kaimana Kinimaka
4 Tosh Peila
5 Kai Grissom
6 Makana Johnson
Grom Boys
1 Chaz Kinoshita
2 Kelson Lau
3 Ean Kimmel
4 Ridge Lenny
5 Alex Medeiros
6 Kala Willard
Menehune
1 Ethan Bediamol
2 Marco Rista
3 Logan Bediamol
4 Nick Nunez
5 Ty-Ty Kirby
6 Axel Rosenbald
Mini-Groms
1 Tony Nunez
2 Conner Prados
3 Eli Hanneman
4 Ocean Macedo
5 Jackson Bunch
6 Chase Anderson
Open Women
1 Mirabai James
2 Lani Silva
3 Danielle Kiersz
4 Anna Frye
5 Serene Gunnison
6 Tasha Jahrmarkt
Teeny Wahine
1 Sophia Johnston
2 Daize Kinoshita
3 Kailee McCarthy
4 Lehiwa DeVault
5 Kawai DeVault
6 Tatiana Ringsby
Airshow
1 Albee Layer
2 Justice Patao
3 Matt Meola
4 Kelson Lau
Mahalo and Aloha to all that organized and participated in this year's contest!
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