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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, August 23, 2009

OceanFest events set for Waikiki


Advertiser Staff

Surfing, paddleboarding, stand-up paddle surfing, swimming and beach volleyball are among the sports that will be featured during the 8th Annual Duke's OceanFest this week at Waikiki.

The OceanFest was created to honor Duke Kahanamoku, the former Olympic swimming champion who was also called the "Father of International Surfing."

"The entire week is just a blast," said Jim Fulton, president of Duke's OceanFest. "Competitors and spectators come from around the world to enjoy Waikiki Beach at its best and say mahalo to Duke Kahanamoku and all he has meant to Hawai'i."

Among the ocean sports events scheduled for this week at or near Kuhio Beach:

Wednesday: AccesSurf Challenged Athlete Surfing — an international competition for physically challenged surfers.

Wednesday and Thursday: C4 Waterman Stand-Up Beach Boy Paddle Surfing — a two-day contest in the ever-growing sport of stand-up paddle (SUP) surfing.

Some of Hawai'i's top watermen and waterwomen are expected to enter. Candice Appleby won last year's competition, beating all the men.

Wednesday and Thursday: ITSA/ISA Tandem World Title — a two-day competition featuring the world's best tandem surfers.

It has become one of the most prestigious contests in the sport of tandem surfing. Hawai'i's Chuck Inman and Tiffany Rabacal won last year's event.

Wednesday through Friday: Toes on the Nose Rabbit Kekai Pro Longboard Contest — competition for professional longboard surfers.

The state's top competitors are expected to enter, including 2008 world champion Bonga Perkins.

Thursday and Friday: Gidget Women's Pro Open — professional contest for female longboard surfers.

Friday: Outrigger Hotels and Resorts Waterman Challenge — a relay race that combines swimming, stand-up paddling and canoe paddling.

Friday and Saturday: Corona U.S. Open of Beach Volleyball — tournament for two-person teams.

Friday and Saturday: Hawaiian Airlines Duke's Legends Surf Classic — amateur surfers get to surf alongside some of the legends of the sport, including Clyde Aikau, Ben Aipa and Buffalo Keaulana.

Saturday: Duke's Waikiki Ocean Mile Swim — age-group competition for swimmers of all ages.

Saturday: Surf Polo Tournament — similar to water polo, except the competitors must stay on surfboards.

Saturday: Hawai'i Paddleboard Championship — a 10-mile race from Hawai'i Kai to Waikiki.

For more information on any of the events, visit www.dukefoundation.org.