For the Hawaii World Junior Surf Team, it was a bittersweet ending to the World Games in Ecuador. Despite holding a commanding lead for the majority of the event, the reigning world champs, team Australia, made a dramatic, last-minute comeback on the final day of the contest to steal back the lead from the Hawaiians in the shoulder- to head-high lefts of La Fae.
“You know, we’re so thankful to have been able to take part in such a great event and to be able to represent Hawaii. I just really want to thank Verizon and Hard Rock. Without them, this wouldn’t have been possible,” said head coach Rainos Hayes. “We were so close to winning but we did a great job. It was an amazing contest and I’m so proud of the team. There was so much love and work that went into making this happen…I’m just really proud and thankful.”
Individually, Hawaii brought home a gold medal in the Under-16 division when Ewa Beach’s Keanu Asing blazed his way to a first-place finish in the finals, solidifying his status as one of the most dynamic and naturally gifted young surfers on the planet.
“It feels really good to win a medal. I had such a good time down there with my team. Everyone was surfing so good, it’s a real honor to win,” reflected Asing. “It really hasn’t sunk in for me yet though. It’s just not quite real to me…but this is definitiely the biggest win in my career.”
On the girls’ side of the spectrum, Alessa Quizon stood her ground and laid down an inspirational performance, earning herself a 3rd-place finish in the Girls Under-18 division and a coveted place on the podium.
“Ecuador was so awesome. It was such a killer experience. The waves were fun and the people were all so friendly and nice. It was really hot though, like, way hotter than Makaha.”