Perkins second to none in longboard surf classic

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

Bonga Perkins wasn't about to finish in second place again yesterday.

Kekoa Auwae of Nanakuli tied for seventh place in yesterday's Aston Hotels Surf Classic and finished second in the Hawaiian Longboard Federation's 2002 Steinlager Pro Series. Paul Teruya • Special to the Advertiser

The contest was the fourth and final stop on the Hawaiian Longboard Federation's Steinlager Pro Series.

Most of the state's best longboard surfers were competing yesterday for the first time since the Oxbow World Longboard Championship at Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, two weeks ago. After placing second in that contest, Perkins said he surfed with "a sense of relief" yesterday.

"I took second in Cabo, just missed out on the world title," said Perkins, who resides in Hale'iwa. "But all the pressure was gone after that. I came back home to surf in warm water with my friends. I just wanted to relax and have fun in this contest and I think it helped."

Indeed, Perkins won all four of his heats yesterday, including the four-man final.

In the final, he received scores of 5.2, 7.5 and 9.2 for a three-wave total of 21.9 (out of 30).

He saved his best for last, completing a series of powerful carving maneuvers for the clinching 9.2 ride on his final wave of the 30-minute heat.

"I was out there with three really good surfers who could have won this just as well, so I knew I had to do something," Perkins said of his final wave. "It was one of the few waves all day that opened up, and I made sure to take advantage."

What's more, Perkins solidified his reputation as an all-around longboard surfing champion with yesterday's victory.

"I think a lot of people have this stereotype of me as a big-wave North Shore longboarder," said Perkins, 30. "So I think I showed people something by winning today. Not in a cocky way, but just to prove that I can win in small waves, too."

Keegan Edwards of Honolulu also turned in a clutch performance by placing second yesterday.

After placing second in the world championships last month, Bonga Perkins returned home to win the Aston Hotels Classic. Paul Teruya • Special to the Advertiser

"It's a pretty big thing for me," said Edwards, 20. "I've been around the world and home is where the best surfers are."

Were it not for Perkins' final wave in the closing minutes, Edwards could have won yesterday's contest. Edwards' three-wave total of 19.5 was 2.4 behind Perkins.

"It was one of those tough days," Edwards said. "Whoever was in position to get the best wave was going to get the best score."

Duane DeSoto of Makaha made a late charge in the final, but wound up in third place.

Mikey Gordon of Honolulu was one of the standouts in the early rounds, and finished fourth overall.

Kekoa Auwae of Nanakuli tied for seventh yesterday and finished second in the series standings by 30 points.

All competitors in the HLF must ride surfboards that are at least nine feet long.

The event will continue today with finals in 11 amateur divisions.

Aston Hotels Surf Classic

1, Bonga Perkins, $600. 2, Keegan Edwards, $350. 3, Duane DeSoto, $250. 4, Mikey Gordon, $200. 5 (tie), Jeff Silva and Joey Valentin. 7 (tie), David Carvalho and Kekoa Auwae.

Hawaiian Longboard Federation

Steinlager Pro Series

1, Keegan Edwards, 2,360 points. 2, Kekoa Auwae, 2,330. 3, Tommy Chun-Ming, 2,010. 4, Bonga Perkins, 2,000. 5, Gary Montira, 1,760.