Kewalo Basin Oahu
6 - 7 June 2009
Quiksilver King of the Groms Hawaiian qualifier crowns Ezekiel Lau
Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 11 June, 2009 : - -
Honolulu, Hawaii -- The Quiksilver King of the Groms made its Hawaii
stop this past weekend at Kewalos. With solid three-four foot surf on
tap, the heats were packed with some of the Islands' best under 16
surfers, all charging for the cash and a spot in the World
Championships in France.
In the end, Oahu's Ezekiel Lau took the win with six skins
(equal to $600 cash). Kauai's Luke Hitchcock trailed just behind with
four skins for second place and $400.
As the Hawaii champion, Ezekiel will travel to France this
September to compete in the King of the Groms World Championships.
Bringing together 16 Kings from around the world, including winner of
the King of the Groms Santa Cruz Regional Qualifier Andrew Jacobson and
the King of the Groms East Coast winner (still to be determined) the
final showdown will be held in conjunction with the Quiksilver Pro
France, a Men's ASP World Tour contest.
The Quiksilver King of the Groms is the only "skins" format
contest in North America. For more info on the King of the Groms, go to
quiksilver.com/kog
About the King of the Groms Format: The "Skins" format was
founded by Quiksilver's own Matt Kechele who introduced it to the East
Coast back in 1995 at the Quiksilver King of the Peak at Sebastian
Inlet which was won by non other than eight-time world champion Kelly
Slater. A "Skin" is equivalent to $100. In order to win a "Skin" the
surfer must raise his hands above his head in what is termed a "claim"
after what he or she thinks is a high scoring ride.
The judges then assess the wave and the score is announced and the
surfer must exit the water. The remaining surfers then have the
duration of the heat to "claim" their wave and top the high score.
Surfers get two chances to lose as there are two rounds of
competition. They also have the chance to go "on a roll" and claim
multiple "Skins" if they are consistently putting up high scores as
they progress in each heat.
About Quiksilver:
Quiksilver is committed to providing tools for uncovering, expressing
and expanding your personal style. Our aim is to foster the sense of
individual expression and excitement - the stoke that is the essence of
boardriding*. We're also here to spread the word because the only
thing better than finding stoke is sharing it.
*Boardriding is
about timing and style. It's youthful, active, casual, and free
flowing. There is no wrong way to ride a board. The goal is simply to
learn, progress, improve, and give it your own interpretation.
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