International Field Readies for Millers’ Surf Challenge

Mike Stewart, winner of last year’s event, sets up for a tube ride at Honoli‘i on the Big Island. Photo: Tyler Rock/Freesurf

This weekend, the Kellogg’s Hawaii Bodyboarding Tour will land in Hilo and run the Millers’ Surf Big Island Challenge, where an international field of competitors will take to the lineup of Honoli‘i to compete in the fourth stop of the 2016 Tour.

“We are excited to bring the tour back to the Big Island this year,” said Tour Organizer Norm Skorge.

Over 100 competitors, including Sammy Morretino, who claimed victory at the 2016 Makapu‘u Jackstance Challenge, Dayton Wago, nine-time World Champion Mike Stewart, young gun Kawika Kamai and more will battle for $6,000 in cash prizes among six divisions: Men, Women, Drop Knee, Junior, Standup and Masters throughout the two-day event.

Saturday will see the Juniors, Women, Masters and Standup divisions run, with the Jackstance (DK) and Men’s Pro divisions running Sunday.

Big Island competitor favorites include Jimmy Hutaff, Kaleo Huddy, Sean Harvey, Landon Gaspar, Willy Petrovic and more.

“Last year we scored with great waves and glassy conditions, “Skorge continued. “Everyone was so gracious and welcoming. We, as a group, felt the aloha. We are looking forward to another great experience with our tour riders going head to head with all the tremendous local Big Island Talent.”

The contest site of Honoli‘i is located on the East Coast of the Big Island, just North of Hilo. The locale known for its consistent waves for both surfers and bodyboarders is forecasted to see well overhead surf during the contest period.

2016 Kellogg’s Hawaii Bodyboarding Pro Tour Contest Schedule

1 Ala Moana Bowls Challenge (August 2–7)
2 Sandy Beach Challenge (September 2–5)
3 Makapu’u DK Challenge (October 29–30)
4 Millers’ Surf Big Island Challenge (November 19–20)