The Verizon Wireless Hawaii Junior World Surf Team went to the Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championship in New Zealand with wide eyes hunting for ocean adventures. Beneath the surface, the team knew they were on the younger-end in most divisions, yet their competitive nature still had them focused on a podium finish.  

The host country, New Zealand, opened their arms and hearts to the Hawaiians in many ways. The New Zealand expression of Aloha was exceptional and appreciated by Hawaii’s Ambassadors everywhere they roamed.

After 7 days of competition, the young Hawaiians found themselves in a nip and tuck battle for first place with Australia.  With five Hawaiians and four Australians left heading into finals day, one might think Hawaii had an advantage. However, three of the Hawaii surfers were facing sudden death repercharge heats, while all the Australians were undefeated in the main event rounds. 

Keanu Asing in his Under 18 repercharge semi final needed a monster hit on an outside set to complement his slashing inside tracks.  It never came and he did not advance.  Later that day in the Under 18 repercharge final, Tanner Hendrickson could not find a connection and was relegated to trying to score a solid 6.75 on a lefthander with seconds left. He gave it his best shot, and narrowly missed advancing to the finals. And finally, Malia Manuel was unable to find an open face to display her power and continuous flow in the Girls Under 18 reperchage final. 

Koa Smith moved into the Under 16 Final while Alessa Quizon advanced impressively to her second consecutive World Championship Girls Under 18 final.  

The Hawaiians were thus represented in two of the three finals. Alessa’s valiant run for the gold however fell short as Tyler Wright scored an 8.6 with seconds left to withstand Alessa’s aerial maneuver and late charge.  Koa Smith in his first attempt at gold on such a grand stage paddled in with a third place finish, while Matt Banting of Australia brought home the gold.  In the Under 18 division Australia’s Jordi Watson gained second place honors, bowing to a spectacular two-wave combination 19.967 show put on by Brazil’s Gabriel Medina.

The Australians were able to garner enough points for first place while the young Hawaiians, far from favorites this year, flew home with silver medals around their neck. 

With youth talent and now experience on their side, the Hawaiian Team in 2011 has its eyes on the horizon, with more than just hopes and dreams for a solid gold finish. They are now determined and inspired after coming so close, at such a young age. 

It should be noted that the Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championship provides the most thorough event, with the finest surfers, from all shores around the world that congregate, compete, and enjoy the oceans and scenery.

The event also promotes the sport of surfing in a way like no other.  It unifies countries with a parade of nations in an Olympic style before eight days of double elimination competition.

The Verizon Wireless Hawaii Junior World Surf Team is proud to be part of this competition and encourages surfers from around the world to take part.  This event benefits its participants and nations, as they all become more and more intertwined in a global community, all while letting the Hawaiian Ambassadors of Aloha set examples wherever they roam.