Ross Williams' 2005 Menehune Contest

Groms will be groms.

The best you could say about the day was “it sucked.” - seriously. But, the worst you should say about the 60-plus kids from around O’ahu who braved this late winter, icy, north-wind blow across the islands on Easter weekend was “u-n-b-e-l-e-i-v-a-b-l-e !” - greater words of praise should honor each of them.

It was a windy, rainy start for Ross Williams Seventh Annual Menehune Classic at the Turtle Bay Resort, held far down the beach from the protection of the hotel building. Squalls were ripping across the North Shore since dawn, but these kids were so bent on competing against each other that there could – I said “could” – have been a foot of snow on the ground. These groms were on a mission, damn the wind and waves, game faces were ON!

The Ezekial hosted contest itself had been postponed for the last few weeks, with Ross tied down to surf sponsor commitments and his “duties” as a proud new dad of his own future surf star.

Saturday before Easter Sunday was the ONLY day left to get the Classic up ‘n going before the spring flat periods might take over so Ross took the gamble to squeeze in his always popular event, hoping for a swell, but getting a late season storm and wind slop, instead. Still, the competitors just crawled over the sharp reef for the short paddle out to a line-up that on any other day would have just been part of the inside white water wash.

Moms, dads, water patrol, everyone stepped up to the plate and to the edge of the beach, cheering, coaching, hooting, praising and doing their best to keep the littlest ones from drifting away or out of the worst part of the reef rocks. At end of day final tally was no injuries, no broken boards, just 5 dozen half-numb, water-logged boys and girls - ranging from post conception to pre-learner’s permit in age - clutching their awards, flashing plenty of blue-lipped grins for all their effort and fighting spirit. And in true island spirit, everyone cleaned the beach and parking area before heading home and hot showers! - Bernie Baker

RESULTS
ROSS WILLIAM MENEHUNE CONTEST
MARCH 26, 2005
TURTLE BAY HILTON

MINI GROMS 0-10
1- ISIAH MONIZ
2- LUKE SHERPARDSON
3- KALANI DAVID
4- MAKAI MCNAMARA

MENEHUNE GIRLS 11-12
1- KENDAL KREBS
2- JERISSA GARCIA
3- SHELBIE ROSA
4- POMAI PARKER

GIRLS 13-15
1- ASHLEY HUNTER
2- MISSY VALDEZ
3- SARAH MEDOFF
4- ALANA MOCK

MENEHUNE BOYS 11-12
1- ELI OLSON
2- KEONI PERKINS
3- KEKAI GRACE
4- PETER EBEL

BOYS 13-15
1- ZACHARY FONOIMOANA
2- CEDRIC CAIRES
3- KAMERON KREBS
4- ANTHONY OBRIEN