Maui teen comes away with NSSA title, car
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
After walking away as the outstanding performer of last week's National Scholastic Surfing Association (NSSA) National Championships at San Clemente, Calif., Maui's Clay Marzo can now concentrate on another endeavor — driving.
Marzo led the class of Hawai'i surfers that dominated the five-day event. The contest drew more than 400 surfers, and was completed yesterday in 3- to 6-foot waves at Lower Trestles. It is considered the most prestigious event in the country for student surfers.
"I think we showed that we're ready for battle," said Marzo, who is from Lahaina. "I don't think you can do better than we did."
Hawai'i surfers combined to win 10 championships, including three by 12-year-old phenom Carissa Moore and a first for shark-attack survivor Bethany Hamilton. Among the standouts:
• Marzo, 15, surfed a perfect heat to win the open men's division — he received two perfect 10s for a maximum score of 20.
"I did as many hard turns as I could and then I finished it off with an (aerial)," he said.
The open men's division is considered the top division of the competition.
Marzo was awarded the Governor's Cup as the outstanding surfer of the event. He also won a 2005 Toyota Matrix for winning the open men's division, even though he does not even have a learner's permit to drive.
"I need to start working on that as soon as I get home," he said.
• Moore repeated her historic feat by winning three divisions for the second consecutive year.
"The waves made it really fun," said Moore, who is 12 and about to enter the eighth grade at Punahou School.
She won the open women, explorer girls and middle school girls divisions. Moore is the only female in NSSA history to win three titles in one year.
• Kaua'i's Hamilton won the first national title of her career — the explorer women's division.
"I surprised myself a little bit," she said. "But I just love competing and I love being in the ocean so I never stopped believing in myself."
Hamilton, 15, made international headlines two years ago when she lost her left arm in a shark attack off Kaua'i two years ago.
"I think you just have to keep living your dreams no matter what you're up against," she said.
• John John Florence of Sunset Beach won two championships — the open boys and explorer menehune divisions.
Other national champions from Hawai'i were Kai Barger (open juniors), Dusty Payne (explorer men) and Granger Larsen (explorer boys).
Also, Kaua'i's Keale Chung received a $1,000 scholarship as the top student from Hawai'i in the event.
How Hawai'i surfers fared:
Open Divisions
Men: 1, Clay Marzo. 2, Torrey Meister. 4, Mason Ho. Juniors: 1, Kai Barger. 2, Chas Chidester. 3, Clay Marzo. 6, Tonino Benson. Boys: 1, John John Florence. 3, Koa Smith. 4, Ezekiel Lau. Mini-groms: 2, Koa Smith. 3, Nathan Florence. 4, Kaikea Ellis. Women: 1, Carissa Moore. 3, Alana Blanchard. 4, Bethany Hamilton. 5, Malia Manuel.
Explorer Divisions
Men: 1, Dusty Payne. 4, Torey Meister. Juniors: 1, Casey Brown. 3, Kai Barger. 6, Mason Ho. Boys: 1, Granger Larsen. 2, Hizson Lin-Kee. 4, Alex Smith. Menehune: 1, John John Florence. 3, Koa Smith. 4, Ezekiel Lau. Girls: 1, Carissa Moore. 2, Alana Blanchard. 3, Coco Ho. 5, Malia Manuel. 6, Leila Hurst. Women: 1, Bethany Hamilton. 2, Lani Hunter. 3, Ashley Hunter. 4, Alana Blanchard. Super Seniors: 4, Brian Suratt.
Scholastic Divisions
Middle school boys: 2, Alex Smith. Middle school bodyboarding: 2, Travis Smith. Middle school girls: 1, Carissa Moore. 2, Malia Manuel.
Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8101.
