2007 ISA WORLD TITLE OF TANDEM SURFING
World’s Top Tandem Surfing Teams Return to Waikiki in August
The World Title of Tandem Surfing, Presented by Tsunami’s Waikiki: Part of the Duke’s OceanFest Celebration
Honolulu – (June 21, 2007) - The world’s best tandem
surfing teams will return to the sport’s birthplace of Waikiki, August
23-25, to pair up on the waves for the ISA World Title of Tandem Surfing,
presented by Tsunami’s Waikiki. Sanctioned by the International Surfing
Association (ISA), and produced by the International
Tandem Surfing Association (ITSA), the event will also be a feature
of the annual Duke’s OceanFest Celebration.
Tandem surfing began at Waikiki in the 1920s, back in the days when Duke
Kahanamoku and the famous Waikiki Beachboys would take out young ladies
who would like to try their hand at surfing. Finding it easier to manage
the surfboard and the weight of two by hoisting the women up on their shoulders
to ride, the sport of tandem surfing emerged.
Today, the sport is a highly athletic one that demonstrates great style,
grace and skill – akin to couples dancing or figure skating, only
on the waves. Teams consist of a man and a woman, with the woman being lifted
to perform a series of intricate poses on each ride while her partner maneuvers
the board and rides the waves to shore.
The World Title of Tandem Surfing will feature a mix of youth and experience,
and traditional hoists and contemporary styles. Surfers competing in the
World Title of Tandem Surfing range in age from 19 years (Sarah Burel, France,
who partners with Rico Leroy), to 54 years (Blanche Benson, Hawaii, who
will partner with David Vierra). In all, a dozen teams from Hawaii, France,
Australia, Brazil, Florida and California will compete, including defending
world tandem champions Brian Keaulana & Kathy Terada, of Makaha.
“We are stoked to have the best teams in the world back here in Waikiki,
the birthplace of modern tandem,” said Bear Woznick, co-founder of
the ITSA and currently ranked third on the World Tandem Tour. “Twice
as many teams surf in this elite sport today than did 18 months ago when
Rico Leroy and I first called for last year’s world title.
“Tandem surfing stuns everyone who sees it, whether they surf or not.
It’s big, it’s visual, it’s daring, and it’s beautiful.”
Along with the competition, there will also be tandem clinics, open to the
public, from 10 a.m. to 12 Noon, August 22nd through August 25th at Waikiki
Beach. Evening events will include autograph sessions with the original
‘Gidget’, as well as a Hall of Fame party at Tsunami’s
Waikiki (7 p.m., Aug. 23); a luau (Aug. 24); and an awards ceremony and
tandem surfing movie at Sunset on the Beach (7 p.m., Aug. 25).
