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Pu'u & Kealona take tandem title at Quiksilver's Makahiki
Pre paddle-out : photo Bernie Baker
Melvin Pu'u & Nani Kealona Claim Tandem Comp at 13th Quiksilver Makahiki Games
Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 16 January, 2007 : - - What a day.. !!! After 6 hours waiting for the open longboard division to get to the semis, all the tandem couples were ready to have Fun on those tricky 6 to 8 ft waves Five couples were in the Finals with the 2 best Makaha locals :Brian Keaulana & Kathy Terrada (ITSA/ISA World champion 2006) and the famous Bruddah Mel Pu’u with his partner Nani Kealona.
The others were Makamae & Shae Desoto, Bobby& Tiare Friedman and Kalani Vierra & Blanche Yoshida from Kauai. Bobby & Tiare were not able to find a good wave outside so they spent almost the entire heat waiting for the bomb and when they finally got it, they were not really into it, making a wipe-out like they are not used to doing.
They finished in 5th place. Best lift (One arm back). Makamae & Shae had a few good ones, but with a sore back, they couldn’t express their true level this time. Best lifts (One arm back)
Kalani Vierra and Blanche Yoshida : photo Bernie Baker
The big surprise from this event was of course the return of the famous legend, Blanche Yoshida, who after having competed with her French friend (Rico Leroy) at the ITSA/ISA Legend World Championship (Legend 3rd place) decided to come back on the scene with the famous Kauai lifeguard, Kalani Vierra. They only practiced together for 2 months but they showed us what Tandeming experience & Waterman skills mean.
They always stayed on the inside but got really good facing waves and they finished 3rd with a big smile and a month to prepare for the next competition here at the same place for the Buffalo. Best sequence: (Attitude, Grass shack)Brian Keaulana & Kathy Terada had so much trouble in this final that they almost spent more time swimming after their board than Tandem surfing.
They had just enough time to get two waves to score, but not enough time to show us their true level. They finished second with an almost perfect 1st wave. Best Sequence (Camel, Cradle, Helicopter, Swan, Hand Knee stand)
And the trophy goes to Bruddah Mel Pu’u & Nani Kealona. After having trouble outside with Bobby’s board, they decided to come a little bit more on the inside and got 3 really nice waves. They could then perform the FAMOUS Melvin sequence. After 2 tries, they rode all the way to the sand doing a perfect Helicopter at the end. Best sequence: (One arm back, Falcon, Falcon one hand, Helicopter, Swan)
Winners : photo Bernie Baker
Results:
1st : Melvin Pu'u & Nani Kealona
2nd: Brian Keaulana & Kathy Terada
3rd: Kalani Vierra & Blanche Yoshida
4th : Makamae & Shae Desoto
5th: Bobby & Tiare Friedman
