from Roy Earnest, the organizer of the Kahuna Kupuna Contest:

The 7th Annual Surfing for Life Kahuna Kupuna Classic surf contest fundraiser on Saturday, July 8, 2006 was very successful. Not only did the contest raise a record $1,400.00, but it also was blessed with sunny, warm weather with consistent and rideable 3-4 foot waves rolling in throughout the day. The surfing on display was impressive and everyone had a real good time.

Along with the annual Kahuna Kupuna Divisions that were set up in 5-year increments for men and women surfers age 30 and up, this year's contest included the new Intergenerational Team Division. The debut of this new division featured seven teams of 6 surfers per team, with each team representing 3 generations, and all of them included at least one surfer under 18 years old. As a result, surfers under 30 were able to participate in this contest through their inclusion on an Intergenerational Team for the first time since the KKC's inception in 2000. Everyone who participated in this division enjoyed the experience of surfing with their team members during their 15-minute heat, striving for the highest team score instead of surfing against other competitors and striving for the highest individual score (which is the usual format for a surf competition). Many also felt it was a great way to bring three generations together in a way that enabled them to relate to one another, especially in our culture which often builds barriers between generations, rather than bridges. For all these reasons, we will definitely include this division again in next year's 8th annual KKC.

This year's 1st Place finishers in the inaugural Intergenerational Team Division are as follows:

Team Szczepaniak: Izzy Szczepaniak (55), Robert Barnhill (44), Taiten Cowan (37), Thwen Chaloemtiarana (37), Pat Faughender (17), Robbie Barnhill (17)

This year's 1st Place finishers in the women's divisions are as follows:

Krista Howell—Women's Menehune Kupuna Shortboard: 35 to 39
Kathy Ivanetich—Women's Super Master Kupuna Shortboard: 60-64
Asi Ghiassi—Women's Menehune Kupuna Longboard: 35-39
Chris Chiechi-Radich—Women's Not-Too-Distant-Future Kupuna Longboard: 45-49
Kathy Ivanetich—Women's Super Master Kupuna Longboard: 60-64

This year's 1st Place finishers in the men's divisions are as follows:

Toby Shafer—Men's Whippersnapper Kupuna Shortboard: 30-34
"J.T." —Men's Menehune Kupuna Shortboard: 35-39
Greg Gubser—Men's Junior Kupuna Shortboard: 40-44
Rich Potter—Men's Master Kupuna Shortboard: 50-54
Kurt Munchmeyer—Men's Grandmaster Kupuna Shortboard: 55-59
Dan Low—Men's Whippersnapper Kupuna Longboard: 30-34
Thwen Chaloemtiarana—Men's Menehune Kupuna Longboard: 35-39
Greg Gubser—Men's Junior Kupuna Longboard: 40-44
Robert Barnhill—Men's Not-Too-Distant-Future Kupuna Longboard: 45-49
Jim Holt—Men's Master Kupuna Longboard: 50-54
Joel Baldwin—Men's Grandmaster Kupuna Longboard: 55-59
Greg Cochran—Men's Supermaster Kupuna Longboard: 60-64
Gary Miles—Men's Legend Kupuna Longboard: 65-69
Vince Pando—Men's Grand Legend Kupuna Longboard: 70-74

The Pacifica Beach Coalition received $1,000 of the net proceeds and Surfrider Foundation's San Mateo County Chapter received $200. The remaining $200 of the $1,400 raised will be reserved for use as start-up funds for next year's 8th annual KKC. In addition, a fundraiser to raise additional start-up funds for next year's KKC took place on Saturday, July 29, 2006 at the Log Shop Surf Shop with a special sneak preview of a documentary of the life and times of legendary surfer Woody Brown.

We want to thank the contestants, volunteers and sponsors for their support of this year's KKC. Major sponsors included Pacifica's Environmental Family—the event's non-profit fiscal sponsor, Jackson Pacific Builders, Big Creek Lumber Company, Pearson Arrow Surfboards, Wise Surfboards, Trader Joe's of Daly City, Nona's Restaurant, Tam's Cuisine of China, Quiksilver, Pedro Point Surf Club, and L&L Hawaiian Barbeque. We also wish to thank Pacifica's surf shops, which include The Log Shop, Nor Cal Surf Shop, Sonlight Surf Shop, and K-Star Board Shop. Other support was gratefully received from the Mollusk Surf Shop, SF Surf Shop, and Aqua Surf Shop in San Francisco, and Northern California Surf Shop in Sebastopol. Many thanks also go to the following local businesses for their in-kind support: Starbucks Coffee Company, Roundtable Pizza, Gearhead Bicycles, La Playa Restaurant, A Sign of the Times (for their great banners), 123-Awards, and Babylon Burning Screen Printing. Many thanks also go to Shelldance Nursery for their 11th hour donation of beautiful bouquets and flower arrangements for our post-contest party at the Pedro Point Firehouse, as well as to Pacifica Farmer's Market for their donation of an assortment of healthy fresh fruit for the contestants and volunteers. Last but not least, a big aloha for the excellent support we received from the staff of City of Pacifica's Parks, Beaches and Recreation Department, as well as the support from Camille Keating, manager of the Pedro Point Firehouse. We'll see you all next year. In the meantime, stay stoked!

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