Cuizon wins surf title

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

Dustin Cuizon of 'Ewa Beach capped his stellar amateur career in the National Scholastic Surfing Association (NSSA) with another championship yesterday.

Cuizon, who graduated from Campbell High earlier this month, won the explorer junior men's division of the NSSA National Championships at Lower Trestles, San Clemente, Calif.

Cuizon, who plans to turn professional by the end of this year, completed his NSSA career with six national championships. It is the most NSSA titles ever won by a surfer from Hawai'i, and one short of the all-time record held by California's Bobby Martinez.

Cuizon had a chance to tie the record, but placed third in the open men's division. In NSSA competitions, the open divisions are for surfers with qualifying grades; the explorer divisions are for any competitors.

Cuizon, 18, won his first title five years ago in the open boys division. He was one of six competitors from Hawai'i to win a national championship this past week.

More than 500 amateur surfers in various age divisions participated in the week-long event. Waves ranged from 2 to 5 feet.

"All of the (Hawai'i) kids were so good," said Bobbi Lee, director of the Hawai'i Region. "We didn't win every division, but we were right there."

Granger Larsen of Maui nearly pulled off a double championship. He won the open boys division and placed second in the explorer menehune division.

Tyler Newton of Kaua'i beat Larsen to win the explorer menehune championship.

John John Florence of O'ahu's North Shore won the open mini-groms division. Carissa Moore, a girl competing against boys her age, placed third in the open mini-groms division.

Ricky Alvarez of the Big Island won the explorer bodyboarding division.

Ola Eleogram of Maui won the air show division.

The surfers from Hawai'i also helped raise close to $5,000 for former NSSA-Hawai'i competitor Jason Bogle, who is undergoing treatment for cancer in California.