Young surfers invited to compete in wave-riding contest in Waikiki
Groms and their families will take to the waves of Waikiki on May 18 and 19 in the 16th Annual T&C Surf/Surfer Magazine Grom Contest.
The event gives unranked surfers ages 6 to 12 the opportunity to compete at the Queen’s Surf break at Kuhio Beach, one of the South Shore’s top breaks. Although the event is considered less intense than formal competition, many of today’s top professional surfers participated in the event as youths, event promoters said. Surfers ranked in NSSA or HASA standings are ineligible.
"Each year we look forward to sharing the stoke of surfing with a new batch of kids. Our focus is on providing an opportunity for those kids that do not regularly compete and give them a chance to gain some experience and feel the thrill of competition," Craig Sugihara, president and founder of T&C Surf, said in a news release.
More than 300 competitors are expected this year due to the growing interest in the contest. Organizers last year introduced a kokua division for youngsters ages 3-6 (adults are allowed to help them catch waves), which attracted a full slate of competitors.
Other contests include separate short-board competitions for boys and girls ages 6-8, 9-10 and 11-12; longboard contests for boys and girls ages 6-9 and 10-12; and a mixed bodyboard competition for ages 6-9 and 9-12. In addition, adults can participate in an expression session and surf with their children in an adult-child tandem surfing contest.
Participants will receive goodie bags, and prizes will be awarded to each division’s top six finishers, who will also be eligible to win a custom surfboard. A film crew will record the competition to air this summer on the "Board Stories" TV show. Food and entertainment will be available, as well.
Entry fee is $25, and forms are available at T&C Surf locations and online at TCSurf.com/grom13 and on Facebook (keyword: Grom Contest). The registration deadline is Friday. Call 483-8710 for more information. — Steven Mark, Star-Advertiser
Kakaako streets become bike-friendly pathways for families
 HELE ON KAKA‘AKO
>> Where: Streets between and around Mother Waldron and Kakaako Makai Gateway parks
>> When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. May 12
>> Cost: Free
>> Info: 395-3233 or cycloviahawaii.org
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On Mother’s Day, families can bring their bikes to the mile-and-a-half area of roads where vehicular traffic will be closed off for “Hele on Kaka‘ako.”
Cooke Street, between Mother Waldron and Kakaako Makai Gateway parks, will serve as the main thoroughfare, where food trucks will gather.
Biking will be allowed on Coral Street as well as on Auahi and Ilalo streets (makai of Ala Moana Boulevard). A skateboarding ramp will be set up on Auahi near South Street and a BMX demonstration/bike polo area near the B.J. Penn UFC Gym on Pohukaina Street. Roads around Kakaako Waterfront Park will allow only bike and foot traffic.
Besides bicycle education classes, “Hele on Kakaako” will feature a 5K run starting at 10 a.m. (register at active.com), craft activities, gardening demonstrations and aerobics and dance classes.
Natalie Iwasa, president of Cycle on Hawaii, said the nonprofit first presented the event in Kailua last year but decided to move it town-side because “the community is changing there, with more young people running small businesses and nonprofits. They’re open to something new and different, and that just fits in with our message of healthy lifestyles and sustainability.”
Iwasa said the Honolulu Police Department will be present at the Ala Moana Boulevard intersection to help with traffic, and members of the Hawaii Bicycling League — including the Red Hot Ladies, made up of female riders over 50 — will help with instruction. — Gary Chun, Star-Advertiser
