Keiki surfers show skills at Kailua contest

Keiki surfers, ono grinds, prize giveaways and just all-around good vibes make up the 14th annual Kailua Shorebreak Classic, Aug. 25 at Kalama Beach Club in Kailua.

The amateur surf competition for keiki celebrates and honors the memory of professional surfers and watermen Peter Miller, Jason Bogle, David Aluli and Jeff Barbieto — fixtures in their hometown of Kailua and the surfing community in Hawaii.

The popular competition draws hundreds of keiki “from ages 0 to 16,” said event co-founder and former professional surfer Sean Yano. “It’s a day that (offers) good guidance and direction for the kids. It’s a fun event for them.”

Registration to compete is closed, but the public is welcome to cheer on the young competitors.

Also, organizers sell $1 fundraising raffle tickets to eventgoers throughout the day with 100 percent of the proceeds going to selected nonprofit organizations.

This year’s charities include Ku A’e Hou in Waimanalo, Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii and the Shakas for Legend Foundation.

Prizes from some of the biggest names in surf, including clothing, backpacks, footwear, hats, gift cards, skateboards and several surfboards, will be raffled and given away throughout the day.

“It feels like a pretty big event, yet there’s this community feel to it,” Yano said. “And just to see the kids’ faces and see their parents there for them, there’s something special about it.”