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 Aaron Napolean. Photo: towner@coveredimages.com
Napoleon
surfed through a total of five rounds to win the all-Hawaiian final, charging
hard through every round and posting one of the event's two perfect 10-point
rides for a huge barrel. Second place today was 24-year-old Keoni Keaulana
(Waianae), who was the top-performing member of the highly represented and
respected Keaulana family of Makaha. Third place went to big-wave specialist
Ikaika Kalama (Waialua, Oahu), and fourth was Kamu Auwae (Waianae).
Of
the field of 32 surfers, 24 were from the Hawaiian Islands, four were from
California: Scott Bass, Kyle Mochizuki, Chris Mauro and Chuck Patterson; two
were from Tahiti: Raimana Van Bastolaer and Arsene Harehoe; and two were from
Australia: Jamie Mitchell and Liam Wilmott. There was also one woman in the
event: Maui's Tiare Lawrence.
As the oldest competitor in the final at 41, Napoleon had a well of ocean
knowledge to draw from today, both from his own lifetime of experience and as
the product of one of Hawaii's best known ocean-going families. A top-performer
over the years in every salt-water sport on offer, Napoleon attributed his
success to good genes and just wanting to have fun.
"If you could have
been out there and seen how the water and the waves looked from where I was, it
was so beautiful, man, I was in heaven," said Napoleon. "How you goin' beat one
guy (sic) that's having fun?
"It wasn't super big, but it was
fun.
"My first heat in the trials I kinda really bonked. I told myself
that if I get another chance I'm going for it."
On his perfect
10-scoring, 12-foot wave: "I set it up, pulled in there, had some travel time. I
could see the jet-skis in the channel and even though I didn't make it out, when
I came up it seemed like the crowd was in awe. To get the respect, I'm on cloud
nine."
 Chuck Patterson (CA) was a standout charger. Photo: towner@coveredimages.com
Where Napoleon capitalized
on the biggest, most critical waves and a high, racing line, Patterson opted for
large open-faced waves and a top-to-bottom sequence of power carves that totally
utilized the paddle.
Like Napoleon, Patterson is also an exponent of
multiple sports - kite-surfing, big-wave tow-in surfing, snowboarding and
skiing. Stand up paddle surfing is his latest passion.
"I'm addicted!"
said Patterson, who runs a construction company and cross-trains young athletes
when not pursing his own sporting goals. "This new sport is so exciting. It's as
much fun as anything I've ever done and it's the most humbling. It has its
glorified moments that leaving you feeling amazing, but then you can turn
straight around and fall on a small little bump on the water. It's a humanizing
experience - you've just got to get back on your feet and start over. You're
always learning and it's never boring."
The vibe on the beach said it all
today: no commercial hyp, just an intimate crowd of mostly surf-stoked aunties,
uncles and families. There couldn't have been a better venue on the planet than
Makaha Beach - for natural beauty or waves. Located near the end of the road on
the West Side of Oahu, Makaha has long been a paradise for surfers, playing host
to the first world championships of surfing more than 50 years ago. Not much has
changed around here in that time, and those things that did have now come full
circle, like the old beachboy style of stand up paddle surfing that proved
without a doubt today that it's back to stay this time.
Ku Ikaika:
"Stand Strong". The name for this event came from the name of the non-profit
foundation established last year by supporting sponsor of this event, C4
Waterman. The Ku Ikaika Foundation was established to shine a light on the youth
that it encourages to stand strong and make strong, positive choices in
life.
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Event Reports 
