Wave selection key for Kapolei surfer

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

Joel Centeio is a fast surfer and a fast learner.

"Only the top two (waves) count, so I was just trying to hold position and be ready," Joel Centeio, 20, said after capturing the fourth event in the Macy's E-Series. Bernie Baker • Special to The Advertiser

The contest was the fourth of five in the series that was created to help up-and-coming surfers from Hawai'i make the transition from the amateur to professional ranks.

"A lot of these guys travel around the world for a contest, lose in the first round and can't figure out why," said series director Bert Ishimaru. "What we're trying to do is give these guys an opportunity to practice and understand what it takes to advance in pro contests."

Centeio, who is from Kapolei, had the formula down yesterday. In the four-man final, he displayed patience, positioning and proper wave selection to prevail.

Waves were only 1 to 3 feet, but breaking with consistency all day long. While the other three finalists seemed to want to chase down as many waves as possible, Centeio waited "only for the good ones."

"Only the top two (waves) count, so I was just trying to hold position and be ready," said Centeio, 20.

It paid off when the wave of the day rolled in.

Centeio raced through the hollow, barreling section and made it out cleanly. He then completed two difficult carving maneuvers before the wave ended. The judges rewarded him with a perfect 10.

"I just got in it and kept going and going," Centeio said. "That one wave pretty much made the whole final for me."

Centeio caught only four waves in the final, but his top two scored a total of 17.0.

Sean Moody of Waialua was second with 16.0, Fred Patacchia Jr. of O'ahu's North Shore was third with 14.0 and David Gonsalves of Nu'uanu was fourth with 13.5.

"I thought I was in good shape until I saw Joel get that one wave," said Moody, 20. "That was definitely the best wave all day."

Centeio, Moody and Patacchia often travel around the world together to enter contests.

"We needed a series like this to keep us busy at home," Centeio said. "We're friends and we surf together anyway, but this keeps you in rhythm for competition."

Gonsalves is 31, but he said the series also fills a need for surfers in his position.

"The drive to win is still there," he said. "The young guys are good, but if you can keep up, you might as well keep entering."

The final contest in the series will take place in three weeks, also at Kewalo Basin.

Final results

1, Joel Centeio, $1,000. 2, Sean Moody, $500. 3, Fred Patacchia Jr., $300. 4, David Gonsalves, $200. 5 (tie), Kekoa Bacalso and Aaron Naluai, $100.