Duke’s OceanFest to Celebrate Waikiki’s Sports Heritage, August 17-25
Variety of Competitions includes Surfing, Stand Up Paddling, Ocean Swimming, Surfboard Waterpolo, Paddle Boarding, Beach Volleyball, and Sand Soccer
WAIKIKI BEACH – The iconic greatness of Duke Kahanamoku’s legacy will be honored and the enduring magnificence of Waikiki Beach’s sports heritage celebrated with the 12th Annual Duke’s OceanFest, taking place August 17-25, 2013.
Presented by the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation (ODKF) with support from numerous community-minded sponsors, Duke’s OceanFest will offer a variety of exciting ocean sports competitions and special events during the nine-day festival (schedule below release).
Jim Fulton, Chair of Duke’s OceanFest, said, “At its core, Duke’s OceanFest is dedicated to creating opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to compete in ocean sports, and raising funds to support the education of Hawai‘i’s young men and women, just as Duke Kahanamoku wanted. We have a superb schedule of events planned and thank our sponsors and volunteers for giving so much to help make this happen.”
While competitions and events will be held at locations stretching the length of Waikiki Beach, most will take place at the headquarters site for Duke’s OceanFest, with the exhibit booths, judges’ stand, and awards stage overlooking Queen’s Surf and fronting the majestic statue of Duke Kahanamoku.
Duke’s OceanFest will also feature the debut of the centennial edition of The Surf Riders of Hawaii, believed to be the first-known book about surfing. Originally handmade around 1910 by A.R. Gurrey, Jr., considered the “Father of Surfing Photography,” the book includes a text about surf riding, a poem from British poet Lord Byron, and eight photos of early surfing at Waikiki, including one of the earliest known surfing images of Duke Kahanamoku.
For more information and applications to compete in events, please visit www.dukesoceanfest.com.
Net proceeds raised by Duke’s OceanFest will be donated to ODKF to help fund its annual awarding of college scholarships and athletic grants to Hawai‘i residents and nonprofit organizations competing in water sports and volleyball. This year ODKF awarded $150,000 in scholarships and grants.
Major sponsors of Duke’s OceanFest are the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, Kona Brewing Company, Wai Koko Coconut Water, Outrigger Hotels and Resorts, Capital One 360, Hawaiian Airlines, Duke’s Waikiki, Mobi PCS, AccesSurf, Barefoot Wine & Bubbly, City and County of Honolulu, Tiki’s Grill & Bar, Honolua Surf Co., Hawaiian 105 KINE, Surf News Network, and This Week Magazines.
Duke Kahanamoku (1890-1968) is regarded as Hawai‘i’s greatest athlete, having won six Olympic medals, including three gold medals in swimming, from 1912 to 1932, and is also recognized as the “Father of International Surfing.” He was the first person inducted into both the International Swimming Hall of Fame (1965) and International Surfing Hall of Fame (1966).
ODKF is a public, nonprofit foundation whose mission is to financially support the development of individuals and organizations that perpetuate the spirit and legacy of Duke Kahanamoku. For more information about ODKF, please visit www.dukefoundation.org.
Duke’s OceanFest Schedule of Events – August 17-25
(Visit www.dukesoceanfest.com for updated information; Schedule subject to change)
August 17
Duke’s OceanFest Opening Ceremony
Duke’s OceanFest officially welcomes competitors and fans with a festive ceremony, highlighted by the adorning of Duke Kahanamoku’s statue with beautiful fresh flower lei.
Outrigger Hotels and Resorts Keiki Sand Soccer Championship
GOOOOAAAAALLLLL!!!! – Waikiki style! Ten-person teams of kids, with most going barefoot, will take to the beach in front of Fort DeRussy to score at sand soccer.
Duke Kahanamoku Sand Volleyball Championships (Keiki Fours)
Youth is served! Four-person keiki teams will compete in this daylong volleyball tournament to be the champion of Waikiki Beach. Played on the Kapi‘olani-Queen’s Sand Volleyball Court.
August 18
Wounded Warrior Canoe Regatta
In tribute to America’s Armed Forces and our Wounded Warriors, this special canoe regatta will feature a series of exciting and inspiring races in the waters off of Fort DeRussy.
Duke Kahanamoku Keiki Surf Festival
Hawai‘i’s future surfers will hit the waves of Waikiki in both short board and long board competitions. Boys and girls’ surfers will compete in three age divisions: 4-6, 7-9, and 10-13.
Outrigger Hotels and Resorts Masters Sand Soccer Championship
The grown-ups get to enjoy the fun and excitement of sand soccer, with 10-person teams taking to the beach at the Kapi‘olani-Queen’s Sand Volleyball Court.
August 19
Duke Kahanamoku Wahine and Kane Longboard Pro Am
Presented by ASP Hawai‘i, many of Hawai‘i’s best pro longboard surfers will vie to see who will be crowned as the king and queen of Queen’s Surf.
August 20
Honolua Surf Ultimate SUP Showdown
In a series of heats, many of Hawai‘i’s best at Stand-Up Paddling (SUP) will race on a marked course through the waves before finishing at the beach to capture the finish line flag. Heat winners will advance to the finals Showdown.
August 21
Capital One 360 Duke’s Day at the Beach
Outrigger Hotels and Resorts Lifeguard Competition
Eight-person teams of lifeguards from Hawai‘i, California, New Zealand, and Japan will showcase their remarkable ocean skills in this demanding competition of diverse events that combines swimming, paddling, surf rescue, and beach flags racing.
AccesSurf Challenged Athlete Surf Competition
Inspirational athletes overcoming physical challenges, including paralysis and amputation, will compete in this pro-style surfing contest. This two-day competition concludes August 22.
BearsWave.com – Tandem Expression Session
Some of Hawai‘i’s best surfing duets will demonstrate the strength, skill, balance, and artistry needed for successful tandem surfing. This two-day exhibition concludes August 22.
HIC Pro Junior (Men and Women)
Hawai‘i’s up-and-coming surf pros – age 17 and under – will showcase their ever-improving wave-riding skills. This two-day competition concludes August 22.
August 22
Waikiki Tandem Pro
This certified ITSA competition brings together some of the world’s best tandem surfers to showcase their artistry and crown Waikiki’s top surfing duet.
Alaia Exhibition Surf Session
It’s back to the future surfing! Skilled surfers will showcase their talents – and strength – in this exhibition using heavy wooden boards like the wave-riders of generations past.
Hawai‘i Waterman Hall of Fame Awards Dinner
Five honorees – Steve Borowski, Tommy Conner, Linda Kaiser, Bill Smith, and China Uemura – are being recognized for their lifetime of achievements and contribution to Hawai‘i’s waterman legacy. Tickets and information: wwwdukefoundation.org.
August 23
Hawaiian Airlines Duke’s Legends Surf Classic
Sponsored teams of amateurs and accomplished athletes surf with the sport’s legends in this pro-style meet featuring heats, judges, a public address announcer, and exhibit booths. Net proceeds raised benefit ODKF’s scholarships and grants program. This two-day competition concludes August 24.
A Hawaiian Evening: History and Culture of Surfing – 1910 to 1970s
A pau hana talk-story presentation will be held at Duke Kahanamoku’s statue by author and surf photographer Tim DeLaVega about the history of surfing in Hawai‘i. Featured will be the centennial edition of The Surf Riders of Hawai‘i by A.R. Gurrey, Jr.
August 24
Duke Paoa Kahanamoku Sunrise Birthday Lei Draping
The 123rd anniversary of Duke Kahanamoku’s birthday will be commemorated with a special ceremony at sunrise that includes the decorating of his statue with beautiful fresh flower lei.
Duke’s Waikiki Ocean Mile Swim
This open ocean sprint along the Waikiki shoreline attracts hundreds of swimmers, including many from the mainland. Race starts in front of Duke’s Waikiki restaurant.
Hawai‘i Paddleboard Championship
“Duke’s Race” challenges both the speed and endurance of Hawai‘i’s paddle boarders in this grueling 10-mile sprint that starts at Maunalua Bay in Hawai‘i Kai and finishes in Waikiki at Queen’s Surf.
Duke Kahanamoku Sand Volleyball Championships (Adult Doubles)
Two-person adult teams will compete in this daylong volleyball tournament to be the doubles champion of Waikiki Beach. Played on the Kapi‘olani-Queen’s Sand Volleyball Court.
Hawaiian 105 KINE Great Hawaiian Luau
Good friends, great times, ono food, melodic Hawaiian music, laugh-out-loud stories, and happy memories are the hallmarks of Duke’s OceanFest’s annual beachfront lu‘au staged on the outdoor lawn of the Waikiki Aquarium.
August 25
Duke Kahanamoku Open SUP Show Down
SUP individual competitors and teams have three challenging and diverse events to test their skills:
(1) SUP Race on a three-mile course along Waikiki Beach; (2) SUP/Surf Cross of one mile through the waves of Queen’s Surf; (3) SUP Surf Relay featuring five-person co-ed teams.
Tiki’s Grill & Bar Surfboard Waterpolo
Six-person teams will play water polo while on surfboards, just like how Duke Kahanamoku, his brothers, and fellow beach boys did in Waikiki back in the 1920s and 1930s. The daylong “surfpolo” tournament takes place at Kapahulu Groin in Waikiki.
Duke Kahanamoku Sand Volleyball Championships (Keiki Doubles)
Two-person keiki teams will compete in this daylong volleyball tournament to be the doubles champion of Waikiki Beach. Played on the Kapi‘olani-Queen’s Sand Volleyball Court.