POIPU — Registration for the 7th annual Garden Island Boogie Board Classic is currently being accepted online at www.kaikeha.org for the GIBBC meet that will take place at the Prince Kuhio Beach starting on July 18 and continuing through July 20.
Presented by the nonprofit organization Kaikeha with support from Kamehameha Schools Kalaulu, registration divisions include Menehune (ages 10-13), Juniors (ages 14-17), Girls (age 17 and under), Open Women (age 18 and over), Open Men (age 18 and over), Masters (ages 35 and over), and Open Pro on the Kaikeha website.
“Many communities that reach far beyond the County of Kauai attend this annual event that is celebrating its seventh year,” said Pomai Burkhart of Kaikeha. “From Kauai, there are competitors from Anahola, Eleele, Hanapepe, Kalaheo, Kapaa, Kilauea, Koloa, Lawai, Lihue, North Shore, Omao, Princeville, Puhi, Wailua Homesteads and Waimea.”
“From Oahu, there are competitors from Aiea, Ewa Beach, Hawaii Kai, Honolulu, Kahaluu, Kailua and Kaimuki, and from Maui, there are competitors from Kahului, Kihei and Wailuku,” Burkhart said. “From Molokai, there are competitors from Hoolehua and Kaunakakai. From Hawaii Island, we have competitors from Hilo, Honokaa, Honomu, Kailua-Kona, Kealakekua, Kona, Ookala, Papaikou, Waikoloa and Pahoa.”
Hawaii continues to produce some of the world’s best bodyboarding talent, and this is showcased during the GIBBC.
“World Champion Bodyboarders such as Tanner McDaniel, Aarya Tabalno, Sammy Morretino, and the Hubbard brothers — all from Kauai — are slated to attend this year’s edition,” Burkhart said. “While progression is seen throughout each of the categories year over year, tribute to the cultural origins of bodyboarding is paid through the Papa Paepoo Invitational. This is a wonderful way that the event stays grounded in the past as it provides opportunities for the future.”
Kaikeha is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by watermen Chris Burkhart and Jeff Hubbard focused on engaging the youth of Hawaii in water sports activities to foster a lifelong connection with the ocean by nurturing a competitive athletic spirit.
Their love for the sport, combined with their current accomplishments in life, position them in a place to give back to the community and the sport that gave and is still giving much to them, according to the press release.
Source: The Garden Island