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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Monday, June 5, 2006

Godinez surfs to pro-am win in Wahine Classic

By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer

She's 14, but Megan Godinez performed like a veteran in China Uemura's 10th annual Wahine Surfing Classic, which ended yesterday at Kuhio Beach in Waikiki.

The Moanalua High School freshman outsurfed an experienced field to win the pro-am division.

"I was really, really nervous," said Godinez, who surfed in Saturday's pro-am finals with Geodee Clark, Kelia Moniz and Kelli Frye. "Just thinking about the older people in my heat was nerve-racking.

"But I came through it," Godinez added. "It was just me and the waves out there."

Godinez earned $1,000 for the victory. She also placed second in the longboard junior girls division.

Her victory highlighted the two-day, all-female event. Every year, the event donates profits to The Sex Abuse Treatment Center of Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women & Children. The event has donated about $100,000 since its inception, Uemura said.

Godinez, who has been surfing for nine years, returned to her home surf at Kuhio Beach this weekend, and called her knowledge of the break "a big advantage."

Yesterday's waves were 2 to 3 feet.

"It helps because I know where to line up," Godinez said. "I know the break, so I know where to sit, I know what wave to catch."

Wendell Aoki, the president of the Hawai'i Amateur Surfing Association, said Godinez's steady performances helped her.

"She was really consistent," Aoki said. "In the end, she got rewarded."

Aoki predicted a bright future for Godinez, whom he called "one of the possible longboard professionals coming out of Hawai'i in the future."

"She has done a lot of amateur meets, and has won them," Aoki said. "This will give her a boost in her career."

Godinez said it was an honor to be associated with Uemura's all-female contest, and the sex abuse treatment center.

"I'm excited for that," Godinez said. "One day, I would like to be like Uncle China and make an all-girls contest and be a role model for all the girls out there."

Three competitors won two titles each this weekend: Kulia Doherty (shortboard age 10 and under, longboard age 10 and under), Kelia Moniz (longboard age 11-13, bodyboard junior) and Jeannie Chesser (kapuna, shortboard women 30-plus).

The event featured about 250 contestants, compared to 410 in last year's event, said Uemura, who attributed the decline to participants opting for a women's world championship meet overseas, and lingering fears about water quality in Waikiki.

Reach Brandon Masuoka at bmasuoka@honoluluadver tiser.com or 535-2458.

FINALS

SHORTBOARD

PEE WEE (10 AND UNDER)

1, Kulia Doherty. 2, Nicole Verdadero. 3, Kelly Graf. 4, Cayla Moore. 5, Honolua Blomfield. 6, Dax McGill.

JUNIOR GIRLS (11-16)

1, Alessa Quizon. 2, Kelia Moniz. 3, Alisha Gonsalves. 4, Bethany Hamilton. 5, Hana Harrison. 6, Missy Valdez.

GIRLS (17-29)

1, Yukiko Whiteside. 2, Helena Suehiro. 3, Kelli Frye. 4, Sanoi Peahu. 5, Candice Appleby. 6, Kamalu Hawelu.

WOMEN (30-PLUS)

1, Jeannie Chesser. 2, Mimi Horiuchi. 3, Keiko Ishii. 4, Maki Yamamoto. 5, Lynn Blomfield. 6, Lindsay McGill.

LONGBOARD

PEE WEE (10 AND UNDER)

1, Kulia Doherty. 2, Nicole Verdadero. 3, Kelly Graf. 4, Honolua Blomfield. 5, Dax McGill. 6, Cayla Moore.

MENEHUNE (11-13)

1, Kelia Moniz. 2, Lani Doherty. 3, Maili Enos Branigan. 4, Alessa Quizon. 5, Kona Kai Wilson. 6, Temari Fukunaga.

JUNIOR GIRLS (14-17)

1, Geodee Clark. 2, Megan Godinez. 3, Visha Bungo. 4, Kawehi Whitford. 5, Alana Mock. 6, Ashley Ahina.

GIRLS (18-29)

1, Ashley Quintal. 2, Candice Appleby. 3, Kelli Frye. 4, Stacia Ahina. 5, April Grover. 6, Akoi Pada.

WOMEN (30-39)

1, Chie Matsuoka. 2, Livia Nahinu. 3, Lindsay McGill. 4, Doreen Teramae. 5, Mimi Horiuchi. 6, Lynn Blomfield.

SENIOR WOMEN (40-49)

1, Darlene Mamiya-O'Shea. 2, Midori Katayama. 3, Tammy Moniz. 4, Pinoi Makalena. 5, Dawn Chang. 6, Susan Nishida.

BODYBOARDING

PEE WEE (10 AND UNDER)

1, Dax McGill. 2, Nicole Verdadero. 3, Cayla Moore. 4, Honolua Blomfield. 5, Kelly Graf. 6, Chenler Moleta.

JUNIOR GIRLS

1, Kelia Moniz. 2, Alyssa Wooten. 3, Alisha Gonsalves. 4, Ashley Asing. 5, Wailana Ho. 6, Meleana Marcellino.

GIRLS (17-29)

1, Akoi Pada. 2, Stacia Ahina. 3, Candice Appleby. 4, Kamalu Hawelu. 5, Lana Clark. 6, Rebecca Fonoimoana.

WOMEN (30-PLUS)

1, Aimee Rice. 2, Chie Matsuoka. 3, Mimi Horiuchi. 4, Mitsuyo Kuhns. 5, Lynn Wood. 6, Aya Juan.

KAPUNAS

1, Jeannie Chesser. 2, Dyanne Taylor. 3, Suzanne Walker. 4, Jeri Orfaliv. 5, Sweetie Mossman. 6, Mary Lacques.

PRO-AM

1, Megan Godinez. 2, Geodee Clark. 3, Kelia Moniz. 4, Kelli Frye.

Reach Brandon Masuoka at bmasuoka@honoluluadvertiser.com.