Surfing single mother back on board

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

Melanie Bartels took 3-year-old son, Ezekiel, to work yesterday. Bernie Baker photo Web special: An interactive look at the Triple Crown.

Bartels, a professional surfer and single mother from Wai'anae, advanced to the quarterfinals of the Roxy Pro yesterday at Hale'iwa Ali'i Beach. The opening day of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing took place in wind-blown 4- to 6-foot waves.

"When I'm home, I try to spend all my time with him," said Bartels, 21. "It's hard traveling because I miss him. I don't even like to talk to him on the phone because I get all sad."

Bartels spent several months this year traveling around the globe on surfing's World Qualifying Series (WQS). Her parents, Ray and Lucia, take care of Ezekiel when Mom is traveling.

"We tell (Ezekiel) that mommy has to go to work," Lucia said. "We even bring out the map and try to show him where she is. He's only 3, so he doesn't really understand, but he knows when she's away."

So far this year, Bartels has worked her way to the top.

She is ranked No. 1 on the WQS for 2003, and her advancement yesterday assured her a spot on the elite World Championship Tour in 2004. Only 16 females are awarded spots on the Championship Tour.

"My dream is to be world champ one day," Bartels said. "And thanks to my parents, I can still chase that dream."

Three years ago, she wasn't so sure. Bartels became pregnant as a senior at Wai'anae High. She graduated, but her promising surfing career was put on hold.

In 1996 at age 14, Bartels was so skilled that she was selected to represent Hawai'i in the open women's division of the World Surfing Games.

"Basically, we told her if she still wanted to surf, we would help her raise (Ezekiel)," Lucia said. "We left it up to her."

Physically, there was no question. "For some reason, I was still surfing pretty good (after the pregnancy)," Bartels said.

Mentally, it took a little longer.

"I think I've been successful this year because I'm happy with who I am," she said. "It took a while to get that drive in me again, and I'm more focused now."

For the next few weeks, her focus is on finishing the year ranked No. 1 on the WQS. No surfer from Hawai'i, male or female, has ever done that since the creation of the WQS in 1992. The Triple Crown events are the final contests for 2003.

"I went through some rough times, and it's still not easy," Bartels said. "But I feel like I'm growing up with my son, and that's cool."

Moore scores: Carissa Moore, an 11-year-old sixth-grader at Punahou School, also advanced to the quarterfinals yesterday. She is the youngest surfer ever to compete in a Triple Crown contest.

"It was a little scary, but I tried to think positive," she said.

Moore, who is 4 feet 10 and 80 pounds, won her second-round heat, eliminating Australian pros Dara Penfold and Serena Brooke.

"All I wanted her to do was make it back to the beach safe," said her father, Chris. "Whatever happens from here is gravy."

Hawai'i surfers Keala Kennelly and Megan Abubo also advanced yesterday. The Triple Crown contests for both men and women are expected to continue today.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8101.