Kimo´s Longboard Contest set to roll at Mala Wharf

LAHAINA, HAWAII;- For the past 24 years, amateur surfers have journeyed to Lahaina to compete in Kimo´s Longboard Contest, one of the longest running surfing contests in the state. The date set for this year´s contest--the 25th annual--is Saturday, April 20, 2001, at Hawaii´s premier longboard spot, Mala Wharf.

Starting at 8 a.m., 48 amateur surfers will compete in 20-minute heats, no divisions and without the use of surf leashes. Surfboards must be no less than 9-feet and only single fins. As a double-elimination contest, participants will be able to climb out of the losers´ bracket to surf in the final. The winner will receive a new Ole "Bumble Bee" surfboard, dinner for four at Kimo´s and other donated prizes.

Kimo´s contest has a 20-week holding period, which means the contest may be postponed for optimum surfing. Applications are available at Kimo´s logo booth in the restaurant and Board Riders in Lahaina. Registration is $20 and includes a Kimo´s Longboard Contest commemorative T-shirt. Depending on space availability, surfers can also sign-up the day of the contest for $25.

"We´ve always held the contest on the weekend because we want everyone to have the opportunity to compete," said Jack Starr, manager of Kimo´s and contest coordinator. "We´re so proud to put on a contest that gets back to the roots of longboarding."

Kimo´s Longboard Contest is a memorial to Jerry Boser, past event coordinator, who unexpectedly died in 1982 at a young age. As manager of Hobie Sports on Maui, Boser1s love for surfing led him to partner with Kimo´s to form the Kimo´s/Hobie Longboard Contest in 1977. "The hard work that goes into organizing this contest every year is worth it because it´s our way of celebrating our friendship with Boser and love for the sport," said Laura Blears, contest coordinator.

Over the years, well-known surfers such as Gerry Lopez, Tom Padacca and Stewart Mac Robbie have participated in Kimo´s Longboard Contest. The contest founder, Jaime Arreola, anticipates attracting other longboarders who love old-style surfing.

As the flagship of T S Restaurants, Kimo´s is located at 845 Front Street in the historic whaling town of Lahaina, Maui. For more information, call Jack Starr or Laura Blears at (808) 661-4811.

Contests - Surfersvillage