Zolten Poulsen launches above the lip on his backside in claiming the boys 14-15 title at the 34th annual Vissla / Hi-Tech / Lopez Surfbash, held Saturday and Sunday at Hookipa Beach Park. Ernie Black photo
Two Lahaina surfers who lost their homes in the Maui wildfires won their divisions at the 34th annual Vissla / Hi-Tech / Lopez Surfbash, held Saturday and Sunday at Hookipa Beach Park.
Juliana Colpas, who lived with her family on Lahainaluna Road, won the Open Women title, defeating 13 others in the overhead surf conditions.
“So sick, I’ve never won the Open before,” Colpas said. “It gave me a lot of confidence after not surfing for a while.”
“I was just like in beast mode the whole time because I didn’t do good before that. I wasn’t even focused on the other surfers, I was just focused on myself.”
Juliana Colpas hits a close-out section in the Open Women final en route to claiming her first Open title. Ernie Black photo
Colpas had placed a disappointing third in the 16-17 age division earlier in the day, saying “My wave selection was not that good.”
Colpas lost everything in the fire except some surfboards.
“I was able to get two or three boards because my dad was already packing the boards in the morning. I guess he was prepared,” she said.
“It changed my surfing, because after that my surfing wasn’t going anywhere because we were so focused on finding a place to stay and moving all the time. We were house-hopping.”
Now things have stabilized for the 16-year-old.
Kai Martins picked up his first win at the Surfbash, taking the boys U12 title. Dayanidhi photo
“We have a year lease in Paia,” Colpas said before adding, “I like Paia a lot more than I thought I would.”
Zolten Poulsen defeated 18 other surfers to win the boys 14-15 age group.
“Super stoked, it’s been a minute since I’ve won so it was super good,” Poulsen said. “Super psyched, the waves were fun, and luckily I just came out on top.”
His family lost everything in their Front Street home of 10 years.
“Surfing has always been a special part of my life so if something was bothering me, I could just go and surf it out,” Poulsen said. “It’s really helped me through this tough time.
Kalli Sprenger cruises to a dominant win in the girls U12 division. Dayanidhi photo
“I’m just lucky to have my family and blessed to have an amazing community to support us. Pretty much my life is surfing so it feels good to be back.”
The 15-year-old Maui Preparatory Academy sophomore didn’t have to wait long to get replacement surfboards. His first boards came from a friend from the other side of the island.
“Cash Berzolla gave me two of his hand-me downs, and Uncle Jud (Lau) shaped me a couple boards, and Uncle Glenn Minami. We have such an amazing community,” Poulsen said.
There were five families from Lahaina who lost their homes that competed in the Surfbash. Those families were presented with custom-made surfboards shaped by two-time Pipeline champion Gerry Lopez.
Kallie Sprenger of Lahaina won the girls U12.
Levi Young looks down the line to set up his next turn. Young took the title in the Open Men division. Ernie Black photo
“In the beginning, it was a little crazy with the sets. I had fun out there,” she said.
Although Sprenger’s home wasn’t close to the burn zone, she was affected with her schooling. She had attended fourth grade Hawaiian immersion classes at Princess Nahienaena School in Lahaina.
“I don’t really go to school now,” Sprenger said. “It’s like school on the beach (at Hanakao’o Beach Park). My teacher, Kumu Kanaoa, doesn’t want to go back to the school so we’re just doing it down at the beach. It’s fun there.”
The biggest cheer at Hookipa was for Kai Martins when he caught a buzz-beater wave to edge Kona Yamada in the boys U12 final. The Haleakala Waldorf School fifth grader from Haiku was carried up the beach after his win.
“My dad and friends were here,” Martins said. “It was my first time winning. I’ve been doing contests two years.”
Mayli Hack cuts back in winning the girls 12-13 crown. Dayanidhi photo
Other champions crowned at Hookipa included Levi Young (Open Men), Jack Grier (U10), Ryder Prouty (boys 12-13), Mayli Hack (girls 12-13), Ione Turner (girls 14-15), Eric Roberson (boys 16-17), Stella Valdez (girls 16-17), Travis Alexander (open longboard) and Evan Strong (para).
*****
VISSLA / HI-TECH / LOPEZ SURFBASH
Saturday’s and Sunday’s Results
At Hookipa Beach Park
Boys / Girls U10–1. Jack Grier 8.43, 2. Alice Grier 7.43, 3. Jasiah Jack Lucas 6.83, 4. Avery Stelow 6.53, 5. Guide Udell 5.84, 6. Aukan Messera.
Boys U12–1. Kai Martins 11.34, 2. Kona Yamada 11.17, 3. Owen Everett 9.30, 4. Kai McCluskey 5.33.
Girls U12–1. Kalli Sprenger 12.90, 2. Madison Cambier 6.66, 3. Avery Stelow 5.23, 4. Peata Lee-Hubin 4.67, 5. Alice Grier 4.50.
Boys 12-13–1. Ryder Prouty 14.10, 2. Matias Banto 11.04, 3. Aiden Haas 8.40, 4. Archer Oliver 6.70.
Girls 12-13–1. Mayli Hack 9.27, 2. Stella Pogni 7.96, 3. Ocean Lipstein, 4. Baylee Brown 5.93.
Boys 14-15–1. Zolten Poulsen 12.10, 2. Kingston Panebianco 11.23, 3. Steve Roberson 10.83, 4. Ian Pegoraro 7.53.
Girls 14-15–1. Ione Turner 9.67, 2. Shia Boverman 9.00, 3. Sloane Jucker 7.77, 4. Kaya McCord 6.54.
Boys 16-17–1. Eric Roberson 13.03, 2. Rafi Neri 12.63, 3. Roran Mullen 11.17, 4. Chase Burns 7.90.
Girls 16-17–1. Stella Valdez 13.43, 2. Chrislyn Simpson-Kane 8.63, 3. Juliana Colpas 5.83, 4. Kelea Brophy Decaro 4.00.
Open Longboard–1. Travis Alexander 15.94, 2. Zolten Poulsen 14.84, 3. Talia Sloan 8.00, 4. Lila Sloan 7.57, 5. Jack Hill 5.77, 6. Bella Kuailani.
Para–1. Evan Strong 11.83, 2. Scott Metcalfe 8.66.
Open Women–1. Juliana Colpas 12.00, 2. Chrislyn Simpson-Kane 9.90, 3. Kaya McCord 8.56, 4. Sochi Henderson 6.63, 5. Shia Boverman 5.73, 6. Ayla Daian 5.53.
Open Men–1. Levi Young 13.23, 2. Logan Bediamol 13.20, 3. Cody Young 12.00, 4. Ridge Lenny 10.60, 5. Kai Nelson 8.03, 6. Eric Roberson 5.74.
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