Benco best bodyboarder
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
Paul Benco likes to enter bodyboarding contests only when the waves are good.
Rebecca Breyer • The Honolulu Advertiser
The waves were good yesterday and so was he in winning the professional division of the Turbo Surf Summer Slam at Kewalo Basin.
Colin Black, competing in the 15-17 division, rips through the 2- to 4-foot waves at Kewalo Basin at the Turbo Surf Summer Slam.
"The only reason why I entered this one was because I knew the waves were supposed to be good," said Benco, 24. "If it was small, I wouldn't be here."
Benco upset several top-ranked professionals to take the $800 first-place check. Benco is a student at the University of Hawai'i and an amateur competitor.
"I went into the final thinking I was going for second or third," said Benco, who is from Nu'uanu. "I'm really surprised to beat some of these guys."
The contest was the second of five on the 2005 National Pro Bodyboarding Tour.
Waves were in the 2- to 4-foot range, and many of the competitors were able to find high-scoring barrel rides throughout the day.
In the four-man final, Benco received a score of 8.5 for his best barrel ride. He finished with a two-wave score of 14.3.
Kaua'i's Jeff Hubbard — who is Hawai'i's top-ranked professional — placed second with a two-wave score of 13.6. Derek Miyashiro was third and Josh Wills fourth.
Ricky Alvarez of the Big Island won the drop-knee division (riding the board with a one-knee stance). Miyashiro placed second in the drop-knee division, and was the only competitor to reach the finals in two divisions.
"This is like going to Vegas," said Miyashiro, who is 23 and from Wahiawa. "You pay your (entry fee) and hope you do good and make some money."
Benco
Yesterday's contest was a rare opportunity for bodyboarders to win a paycheck in Hawai'i. Most of the Hawai'i competitors work at "real jobs" because of the lack of funding for professional bodyboarders.
Miyashiro, for example, works for a roofing company.
"I think we'd all like to see this sport get as big as surfing, but it's hard right now," he said. "That's why contests like this are good — it's a chance to show what bodyboarding is all about."
Benco added: "Maybe it's just not our time right now, but that doesn't mean the next generation should give up. I'm hoping there's a revival and there is enough support to help some of the young kids out in the future."
Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8101.
