ISLE FILE
Sunset Beach hero outpaddles the field

Advertiser Staff

George Ramos of Sunset Beach won his division at the inaugural Hennessey's Taverns International Paddleboard Championships last weekend at Noosa Heads, Australia.

Ramos placed first in the stock paddleboard division for competitors ages 50 and older. He completed the 25-kilometer course in 2 hours, 56 minutes, 19 seconds.

Last month, Ramos helped save a struggling diver from drowning during a North Shore paddleboard race.

Kanesa Duncan, a graduate student at the University of Hawai'i, placed second in the open women's division. She completed the course in 2:48:10. Australian Hayley Bateup was first at 2:42:36.

Honolulu lifeguard Dolan Eversole finished in 2:37:59 to place third in the 30-39 age group on stock paddleboards (12 feet long).

Jamie Mitchell of Australia was the overall winner in 2:16:58. Mitchell also won the Moloka'i-to-O'ahu paddleboard race in August.

More than 80 paddleboarders competed, battling strong winds and 7- to 10-foot seas along the course.

TENNIS

• Juniors have spirit: In addition to a fourth-place finish at the 2002 World Team Tennis (WTT) Junior Nationals this summer in San Diego, Hawai'i's six-player team won the 2002 Team Spirit Award.

The $1,000 award is given in memory of Maureen Connolly by the Maureen Connolly Brinker Foundation. It is to be used by the local section for player expenses.

WTT founder and tennis legend Billie Jean King founded the event to provide players an opportunity to continue their WTT experience at the junior, intercollegiate, professional and adult recreational levels.

Included in the event were daily motivational workshops designed to teach the players about respect, honor, sportsmanship and the importance of academic achievement.

Hawai'i team members were Kevin Yamauchi, Andy Narido Jr., Alex Matsuyama, Kristina Katayama, Erin Katayama and Jenna Mezin. Dino Bondallian was coach.