tandem news

National Kidney Foundation 6* WTT Cocoa Beach, FL - Sept 6-7, 2009

photos | FOX News Coverage | Florida Today Story || Florida Today Story 2 | Florida Today Photos

The National Kidney Foundation 6 Star World Tandem Tour Event that took place in Cocoa Beach, Florida over Labor Day Weekend was a noteworthy contest. Dr. Lance Maki was the main organizer and did a fantastic job. The contest site was moved down to the pier with the stand up heats and we were able to go out during the best conditions. The water was warm, and the weather, humid. Jelly fish and mullet were in the line up. Waves were had in the 1-2 foot range with glassy conditions in the morning and often thunderstorms and winds switching in the afternoon. Most of the guys participated in the stand up division, which was fun to see. The locals were stoked on the tandem. Crowds gathered on the beach and watched from the pier and restaurants. Newspapers and TV covered the event. There were plenty of dinners, auctions, bikini contests and fun diversions. Dr. Maki introduced a new Aloha Spirit Award honoring Richard Salick.

As for the tandem surfing, Rico and Sara walked away with first place putting together two of the best wave combinations. This was tricky in the finals with bumpy chop. The first 3 waves Rico appeared very human falling out of lifts, but his resolve powered thru and he was able to showcase his solid surfing skills and Sara's graceful form in extreme lifts like the cobra, ending waves at the beach with flair and a "pop".

Taking second was the dream team of Pauly and Crystl, the two young hotties from Hawaii. Pauly and Crystl seemed to struggle with re-entries into the inside but persevered and found their two top waves to display her beautiful form in the difficult flat combos and contortions.

Proudy representing TWO and California were Clay and Kristen, the solid veterans. All it took was the right two waves to take the Huntington's all the way to the sand and third place. The straddle and statue were in Kristen's high scoring repertoire.

In forth was Christian and Amee, a fairly new but extremely gifted and enthusiastic couple from Hawaii. Amee was a transplant from Florida and had a solid crowd of relatives cheering their support from the beach and pier. Starting strong in the heat, they had a Star and Pyrimid before an accident in a dismount had Amee and Christian considering calling it quits. The couple persevered, and continued to surf despite her minor injury. This is a couple to watch in the future, with their obvious love for tandem and Christian's strong surfing skills.

A big THANK YOU to Dr. Lance Maki for organizing a world class event, until next year!

Check out photos from the event...

Link to 2008 News Archive...

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