Mel Pu'u said he considers this year's version of Buffalo's Big Board Surfing Classic the best ever.

That's quite a statement, considering this is the 32nd consecutive year of the event, and Pu'u has been entering it for more than 20 years.

This also happens to be the first year that Pu'u is entering the canoe-surfing division with his two oldest daughters.

"This is the best time I ever had at Buffalo's contest," said Pu'u, 47. "And I been here almost from the start. This is always a fun contest, but just to be out there with my girls made it really special."

The first weekend of Buffalo's Classic was completed yesterday at Makaha Beach. It will continue this weekend at Makaha.

The event was created by legendary Makaha surfer Richard "Buffalo" Keaulana in 1977 as a way to unite the Leeward Coast community. It features various "fun" divisions, including tandem surfing, canoe surfing, stand-up paddle surfing, bodyboarding and bullyboarding.

Pu'u had a team of friends set up for the canoe-surfing division yesterday, but one of the paddlers pulled out at the last minute. Instead of withdrawing his entry, Pu'u called his two oldest daughters — Leimomi, 16, and Nalu, 14 — to fill in.

Canoe-surfing features four paddlers in the canoe, and is judged on wave-riding ability.

"To be honest, my girls really don't paddle that much," Pu'u said. "But they love being in the water, so I knew they could handle."

What he didn't expect was their performance. Team Quik won three heats and advanced to the final heat. Leimomi paddled in the first seat, Nalu was second, longtime family friend Craig Davidson was third, and Mel steered from the fourth seat.

The other three teams in the final featured all-male crews.

"Very surprised," Nalu said. "The first heat I was real nervous, but after that I was fine."

Wave-face heights ranged from 4 to 8 feet yesterday, and there were several wipeouts in the canoe-surfing heats. Team Quik was no exception.

"We ate it over the reef one time," Nalu said. "That was pretty scary."

Mel said: "As a parent, you're always a little more nervous when it's your own kids out there. But I know what their capabilities are. I wouldn't put them out there if I thought it was too dangerous."

In any case, the Pu'u's were a prime example of what Buffalo's contest is all about.

"This is not a regular contest, where you don't know the guy next to you," Mel said. "When we were out in the canoe, I even told my girls 'hey, say hi to your uncles over there.' I didn't know we were going to beat some of them."

Team Westside O'ahu was another family-oriented team. Kamu Auwae was the captain and steersman, and his crew featured his brother Kekoa Auwae, brother-in-law Ben Kealoha Jr., and childhood friend Vernon Mahelona.

"We don't even practice," Kamu said. "But we look forward to this contest every year because it's so much fun."

Final results from all the divisions will be announced this weekend.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.