Ho'omaika'i Elliana Schiffner: State Girls Shortboard Champion!
Surfers representing Oahu private and public schools competed this season to earn spots at the state contest held across two weekends.
The first day of the Oahu High School Surfing League Championship surfing contest occurred on Saturday, May 3, at Queens, Waikiki. Surfing in mostly clean conditions on an early-season southwest bump, Kaiser had three groms in the lineup: Hayden Carranza, Ellianna Schiffner, and Averie Hong. Congratulations to team captain and Surf Club president, Ellianna, for advancing to the semifinals in both the longboard and shortboard divisions.
The second and final day of the state surf contest wrapped up at Bowls on Saturday, May 10. There were some lulls in the staight south swell, but the sets came in steep and set up for some gorgeous lefts. Seniors Richard Lorenzotti and Jayden Nguyen repped Kaiser in the first round of shortboard, while Averie Hong paddled out in the co-ed bodyboard division. Sophomore Evan Chang managed to tuck into the barrel and advance to the semis in both the shortboard and bodyboard divisions. Elliana Schiffner's exciting final heat came down to the final set. She edged out Kalani's Coco Hakikawa by .66 to win the individual title.
This is the first year that Kaiser has had a surf team! Advisors Jane McCallister and Paul Balazs are incredibly proud of the surfers' efforts to ride through a bumpy first season.
The team is actively recruiting Kaiser surfers and bodyboarders for next year. Interested groms must complete a session of Junior Lifeguards. Check out oceansafety.honolulu.gov, or stop by Mrs. McCallister's room C-104, for more information on how to register.
