Hobgoods, Lopezs, Kelly, where are you?
Iron's Brothers hold 8th Annual Keiki Contest
- March 9, 2009
- 0 Comments
- By Story/Photos By TOB
I went to Kauai to help with the 8th annual Iron’s Brother’s Keiki contest. It was my third year there. It is held at Pine Trees at Hanalei Bay.
This contest is about giving back to the sport that helped the Iron’s brothers to be what they are now…remembering their roots, if you prefer.
The contest is for non-sponsored, unrated surfers. The previous years winners cannot enter. The age groups are 6-8 mixed push in, where the parents can push the keikis into the waves and help them back out, 9-10 boys and girls, and 11-12 boys and girls. For many, it is there first surf contest. You don’t see boards filled with stickers; you see groms and parents filled with smiles.
The entry fee is a donation of canned goods for the Kauai Food Bank. The Iron’s Brothers sponsors, Billabong, Volcom, Von Zipper, Oakley, DC Shoes, Da Kine, and the local surf shops donate prizes, food and good will. Each of the about 130 contestants gets a prize bag, and Da Kine backpack filled with about $200 worth of goodies. The winners get a new surfboard and board bag, and there is a raffle for more new surfboards and board bags.
There are malasadas and hot chocolate for breakfast, hamburgers, veggie burgers and hot dogs for lunch, and shave ice for snacks.
It is a fun day for all. My question is: why don’t the Hobgood Brother’s and the Lopez Brothers, or Kelly Slater have similar contests? Step up to the plate, boys! Remember your roots. Giving a board to the NSSA banquet is nice, but holding a contest like this would be really nice.
Many of the Hawaiian Pros that are in the state come and support the contest. There is a poster signing (and hat and t-shirt and magazine). This year Chava Greenley, Reef McIntosh, Kamalei Alexander, Bruce and Andy signed. Amion Goodwin and Jason Shibata were there along with several other pros.
Come on East Coast Pros. Remember your roots. We have plenty of WCT and former WCT guy that could put on an event like this and stoke the groms. It’s about time for the first annual contest. There are a lot of years to catch up to the Iron’s brothers.