By Andy Melamed - Hawaii Junior World Surf Team -www.hawaiisurfteam.org

“The Verizon Wireless Hawaii Junior World Team is looking towards a very bright future”, exclaimed Rainos Hayes team captain.  “Last years 2^nd place Silver medal finish gives us some advantage in the overall seeding, however we are a team in transition and the rebuilding process has just begun.  As our team matures we should be able to compete alongside favorites like Australia, Brazil, France, South Africa, host country New Zealand as well as the United States.”

Most importantly the Hawaii team sponsors will allow the team to host many training sessions from October thru early January in preparation for the Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championship. Hayes continued. “Our strategy will be a bit different.  We are investing in the future, inviting alternates and future riders to the training sessions and building a developmental squad that will prepare us for future games. The invitees will all be a part of the team, adding depth to our squad. The results from recent NSSA, HSA, and ASP Junior Pro events greatly assist the coaches in the overall selection process.” 

Team members will be helping with beach cleanups at the Triple Crown and also taking part in Access Surf Hawaii programs in Waikiki. They will be featured and interacting with their new exciting website as well as appearing and taking part in promotions, send off parties and most importantly, participating in a strenuous mental and physical scrimmaging program.

The 2010 world team starts with the rebuilding of the Boys Under 18 division.  Most of the performers will be surfing this age division for the first time.  Although many are 16, they are the most experienced surfers. Keanu Asing brings with him last years Under 16 World Championship Crown. Asing is joined by last years semi finalist in the Under 16 division, Kaimana Jaquias.  Both these surfers along with power broker Ezekiel Lau, are boosting into an older more challenging lineup that will up their game.  They will be lead by three time veteran Tanner Hendrickson.             

The Girls Under 18 division did quite well last year in Ecuador with youngster Alessa Quizon gaining 3^rd place in the world championship finals. Leila Hurst made it to the semi-finals and Malia Manuel and Nage Melamed finished 7^th and 9^th in the world respectively.  Each of these surfers have some years ahead of them in the Under 18 division and there’s but a handful of riders in the world that can compete with these young ladies. They are capable of presenting a jam packed Hawaiian final if the swells and timing cooperate. 

All of last years Boys team riders have moved onto the Under 18 division.  Surfers who are moving onto the global platform include Koa Smith, Ian Gentil and Lahiki Minamishin. These young guns are only 14 years of age and yet their performance levels and experience exceeds their years. They too have years of competition ahead of them as well as heaps of experience. A fourth surfer will be selected from a very elite group that the coaches are considering.  The expansion process within the training sessions will allow even more surfers to be a part of the future. 

Hayes beamed, “The horizon looks bright for the Hawaiians. In this case our sun is rising, with New Zealand and points beyond just coming into focus.”

The team receives support from Hawaii’s Verizon Wireless and is now in its second year of title sponsorship.  Hard Rock Café is supporting the team for a 3^rd consecutive year. Hawaii is truly grateful. With this support base, our world team program now has a chance to bring aloha to the world stage, and truly represent the birthplace of surfing.