Maui Groms Rip Apart Hookipa At Ian Walsh’s 6th Annual Menehune Mayhem

Justin Cote

• March 31 2009
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Ian Walsh’s 6th Annual Menehune Mayhem presented by O’Neill and Red Bull went off this past weekend in 2-3 foot surf at Maui’s Ho’okipa Beach Park. For the sixth consecutive year, Ian with the help of his family gave back to the community that molded him. With the support of his sponsors, O’Neill and Red Bull, Walsh provided a total grom focused affair that included an all day BBQ, tons of promo, a dance off, and even a mascot goat. With more the 80 groms competing in the event, the real prize was for the bragging rights of becoming a Mayhem champion.

The grom contingent in Maui is as strong as ever, and the talent showed with dominant performances of several up and coming stars. Imai Duvault dismantled the Boys 11 and Under Division, with a relentless attack, which included vertical top turns and swooping cutbacks. Imai didn’t stop with the 11 and under crown; he also surfed his way into the Boys 12-13 final taking the four spot. Ian Gentil was the second multi final competitor, taking second in the Boys 12-13 Division and third in the Boys 14-15 Division. Gentil had an amazing run in both divisions but couldn’t come up with the second solid scoring ride that he needed in either final. Regardless of his final placing, Gentil was by far one of the best talents in the event. Powerful round house cutbacks, fin free front side blasts, and quick spinning reverses showed a mature style of surfing well beyond his years.

In a highly contested final, Keoni Perkins edged out DK Walsh to take the Boys 16-17 title. Perkins picked off the best scoring right of the final linking two vertical backside blasts that put him out in front of the field within the first five minutes of the heat. He then sealed the deal with a huge floating tail slide on one of the only scoring lefts of the day. But the “Grom of the Day” award went to Joao Marco Muffini. Muffini surfed flawless the entire event, leaving a dominate mark on this years Mayhem. With a smooth, aggressive style, Muffini demolished every wave that came to him on his way to both the Boys 12 -13 and Boys 14-15 Division titles. He was in rhythm from his first heat, using a complete repertoire of maneuvers and knowledge of the Pavilions line up to take the top honor of the event.

2009 Ian Walsh’s Menehune Mayhem presented by O’Neill & Red Bull Results:

Girls 11 and Under:
Kawai Duvault
Amber Prados
Ginger Prados

Girls 12-14:
Alexis Aguera
Hauoli Kahaleuahi
Kati Kai Mihami
Shelby Schweitzer

Girls 12-14:
Emma Koomoa
Kulia Doherty
Kelci Ellis
Zoe Elder

Boys 11 and Under:
Imai Duvault
Monte Grante
Justin Ringsby
Kala Willard

Boys 12-13:
Joao Marco Maffini
Ian Gentil
Chaz Kinoshita
Imai Duvault

Boys 14-15:
Joao Marco Maffini
Tosh Peila
Ian Gentil
Dylan Walsh

Boys 16-17:
Keoni Perkins
DK Walsh
Theo Narchios
Nick Falbo

Special Awards:
Girls GPA- Tasha Jahmarkt (4.0)
Boys GPA- Makana Johnson (3.8)
Kazuma Surfboard- Shawn Frerking
Steve Cooney Award- Kody Kerbox
Eric Diaz Award- Miles Serifica