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It was fun for girls of all ages at Sunday’s Roxy Waikiki Classic.
With sunny skies and 1- to 2-foot surf at the fabled Queen’s surf break, females from 6 to 60 years of age took to the waves in shortboard and longboard divisions of the second annual event.
Taking home the Royalty (30-and-over) shortboard title was Idaho transplant Stephanie Kempf, who has been living in Honolulu the past three years. The 31-year-old got an assist from her boss, who allowed Kempf to compete in heats in between working as a surf photographer.
"It feels good. I worked and played at the same time," said a smiling Kempf. "I did not have a strategy at all. I was just having fun in the contest because if I get too serious I do horrible.
"It’s awesome to surf out there with just the girls. I can’t celebrate just yet because I still have to go back to work."
One of the youngest surfers to come away with a win Sunday was 12-year-old Kyana Rowland Nolasco from Mililani in the 11-14 shortboard division.
"I feel happy now because I was so nervous earlier," Nolasco said. "I was just trying to have fun and position myself in the right place.
"Everybody did so awesome."
Four-time world surfing championship Lisa Anderson, a global ambassador for Roxy, was on hand to present the awards.
"It’s all about having a good time and giving back to the sport," Anderson said. "We want to teach the youth so they can learn how to surf and enjoy it like we did.
"I think the more events we have like this the more we can inspire the next generation because you never know what kind of world champions are in the making here right now."