Howzit Wheel Turners!
Yesterday,
Saturday, September 15th was the first event of 6 events in the 2012 – 2013
Hawaii Winter Outlaw Series and I gotta give it a big CHEEHOO! What a start to
the season! We had nearly 50 racers out
on the beautiful, sunny, North Shore of Oahu ready to race.
We
gathered at the beach on the bottom of the mountain to get registered and get brackets set. Once everyone stocked up on water for the day we decided to head
up the mountain.
Upon
arriving at the top, there was a Hawaii forest police officer just leisurely
relaxing in his car at the entrance of the course. So we instantly signaled all
arriving skaters to turn around and head back to the beach. This was a nice
little wake up call to remind everyone that this IS an outlaw race, and not
everything can be perfect. So we took an hour break, and headed back up the
hill.
Now
he was gone, so we all started our hike into the race course. You walk a dirt
road for about 15 minutes then out of no where, Butter,flowing curves appear on
the tip of a Hawaiian mountain ridge… to top it off, its closed to cars!
When
finally getting to the race course, there was a BIG puddle and some mud across
the road. BUT our downhill community grabbed shovels and booms and made it
nearly perfect in minutes. So practice
runs got underway.
After
everyone was looking comfortable on the course, we got underway with the first,
prelim round. Several riders were seated in the next round to even out the
bracket, so this round determined who would make it into the main event.
Just
because this was only the first round, there was no shortage of shreddage. Fast
starts ( pushes and throw downs ), tight packs and intense passes were all seen
from the very first heat!
After
8 heats of battling it out, the top 2 racers from every round moved on up to
the top 32 bracket. With this course being fairly mellow, no drifts, just tuck,
go and find the right line… these next few rounds got HEAVY.
Everyone
had their game face on, all riders on point, fighting to make it across the
finish in 1st or 2nd. As the battle continued on, the top
2 moved up once again… giving us out top 16 racers.
Now
the brackets are full of some of Hawaii’s best downhill skateboarders,
including Sector 9’s Ethan Lau, last years event winner Nikko Kamanuwai,
H.W.O.S x2 overall winner Mackenzie Yoshida to name a few.
Nothing
but tight, top notch, Hawaiian racing this round. Every heat staying in one
pack, nearly connected from start to finish… going for the winning lines.
These heats were getting so close we needed to start sending riders to the
finish just to watch CLOSLEY to see who came across that line first.
As
the battle moved on, it came down to our top 8, the semi finals. Making it was
Nikko vs Maika vs Ethan vs Will and Cookie vs Keola vs Rhys vs Mackenzie. In the
first semi final, the racing was tight! So tight that they needed a redo
between Maika, Nikko and Ethan just to see who would move on. And in the redo
Nikko and Ethan held on strong making the finals for their 2nd year
in a row. In the second semi, Rhys kept a good lead in front as the other 3
fought for second… Keola ending up in the number 2 spot!
The
finals are Nikko, Ethan, Rhys, Keola and the semis are Cookie, Mackenzie, Will
and Maika.
In
the consi finals, all racers were in a line dropping into the first dip Maika
leading the pack. Mackenzie, cookie and Will closely following, tucking,
drafting and bumping their way to the finish.
In
the finals, all riders stayed close. Every rider in a perfect tuck, not budging
a bit.
As
they round the last corner, making it across the finish line first, for the SECOND
year in a row was NIKKO Kamanuwai!
Following
the finals we all headed down to the beach for the awards. Riders were treated
with a load of boards, trucks, gloves, wheels, refreshments and a Hawaiian sun
setting into the Pacific Ocean.
All
the skaters who came out left with smiles and stoke. It was a full day of wheel
turning and positive vibes. That’s what the Hawaii Winter Outlaw Series is all
about!
Big
Island’s next… who’s ready?!?
2012
– 2013 Hawaii Winter Outlaw Series
Event #1-The 2nd Annual Hawaiian Ridge Rusher
1st
Nikko Kamanuwai. $150 & schwag
2nd
Ethan Lau $100 & schwag
3rd
Keola Chu $75 & schwag
4th
Rhys Morishima $50 & schwag
5th
Maika McWayne $15 & schwag
6th
Will Ross $15 & schwag
7th
Mackenzie Yoshida $15 & schwag
8th
Tommie “ Cookie” McClain $15 & schwag
Big
Mahalos
Caliber
Truck Co.
Rayne
Landyachtz
Randal
Trucks
808
Skate
Abec
11
Fly
Hi Hawaii
808
Skate
Flow
Magazine
WheelTurnerHawaii.com
And
the rest of those who supported us!
Photos by Evan Higa, Jase Kawasugi, and WheelTurnerHawaii.com