Duke’s OceanFest opens

Keiki surfing, sand volleyball and sand soccer were among the events that kick off the 11th Duke’s OceanFest in Waikiki Saturday.

The eight-day competition honors the legacy of Duke Kahanamoku, Hawaii’s first Olympian and international surfing legend. Saturday’s competition begins at 7 a.m. with sand soccer and continues through the day with sand volleyball, the Kahala Challenge (run-swim-paddle) and canoe racing.

At 5 p.m., there will be a lei-draping ceremony of the Kahanamoku statue. His 122nd birthday is Aug. 24.

OceanFest continues Sunday with sand soccer and keiki surfing. Longboard and the HIC pro junior surfing competition are Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday’s schedule includes the HIC Pro Junior and ITSA tandem surfing, and AccesSurf and lifeguard competitions.

Other competitions through Aug. 26 include a 1-mile ocean swim and Hawaii state paddleboard championship on Saturday, and surfboard water polo Sunday. The OceanFest Health & Fitness runs Wednesday through Aug. 26.

dukesoceanfest.com.

Wounded Warriors in Na Koa Regatta

Crews of Hawaii’s military veterans representing the Wounded Warriors program will compete in the Na Koa Regatta off Waikiki on Saturday beginning at 10 a.m.

The event, part of the Duke’s OceanFest, runs until noon. It features military members who are recovering in Hawaii following their tours of duty as well as honors the memory of those lost in battle.

Baxter dominates at Turtle Bay

Maui’s Connor Baxter won the distance and sprint SUP races at last weekend’s Turtle Bay Summer Paddle Challenge.

The victories pushed Baxter into the overall lead of the Stand Up World Series Tour, replacing Maui’s Kai Lenny.

Baxter easily won Saturday’s 10-mile course from Hukilau Beach to Turtle Bay then held off Kody Kerbox in Sunday’s sprint final. Baxter finished the distance race in 1 hour, 16 minutes, 7 seconds; Andrew Logreco was second (1:18:54).

Kerbox, who placed third in the distance race (1:19:15), finish second overall on the tour stop with Oahu’s Andrew Logreco third overall following a runner-up finish in the distance race and third place in the sprint event. Oahu’s Mo Freitas was fourth overall and Holland’s Bart de Swart fifth.

The overall women’s title went to New Zealand’s Annabel Anderson, who won both races. Oahu’s Morgan Hoesterey was second in both races, finishing second overall with Halie Harrison third.

Oahu’s Bert Charlton won the prone paddleboard division of the distance race, finishing with the fastest paddleboard time overall (1:15:44). Danny Sheard was fastest overall, paddling an OC1 to the finish line in an hour and 48 seconds.

standupworldseries.com.

Porter wins jackpot finale

Sydney Porter won three events to claim the title of the Hawaii Women’s Rodeo Association’s final jackpot rodeo earlier this month at Diamond J Ranch.

It was the second consecutive jackpot win for Porter, the reigning Hawaii High School Rodeo Association rodeo queen. She won the 3D barrels, 3D poles and novice poles en route to $266.50. Brandy Joseph finished second overall, winning $186.

rodeooahu.com.

Hirakawa, Hnida share award named for them

Kaimuki High multi-sport athlete Jennifer Hirakawa, a longtime player and coach in women’s football, was one of the inaugural recipients of the Hnida-Hirakawa Trophy awarded last weekend at the Women’s Spring Football League national championship in Baltimore.

The trophy, named for Hirakawa and Katie Hnida — last weekend’s other co-recipient — will be given to the top female football player, regardless of league. The "Double H" is considered the Heisman Trophy for women’s football.

Hirakawa began her pro career while stationed with the U.S. Army in Germany. She was named to the all-star teams in both the IWFL and WFA, two American leagues, and finished her career as the captain of the Iowa Thunder in 2010, ranking first in forced fumbles and tackles en route to defensive player of the year honors.

Hirakawa is currently the defensive coordinator and part-owner of the Iowa Xplosion.

wsflfootball.net.

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