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Simpson-Kane siblings each win two events

Berzolla also wins twice at Pohai Na Keiki Nalu

Chrislyn Simpson-Kane heads to a win in the girls longboard division during Saturday’s Pohai Na Keiki Nalu (Gathering of the Surf Kids) on Saturday at Launiupoko Beach Park in Lahaina. -- 1morephotography.com / DAYANIDHI DAS photo

The Simpson-Kane family had a near-perfect day at the Pohai Na Keiki Nalu (Gathering of the Surf Kids) on Saturday at Launiupoko Beach Park in Lahaina.

The 24th annual contest for surfers 12 and younger drew a record 245 entries in 11 divisions.

Ty Simpson-Kane, a Kamehameha Schools Maui 8th-grader-to-be, defended his boys longboard title and won the 11-12 shortboard. His younger sister Chrislyn, who is entering the 5th grade at Haiku School, won the girls longboard and 7-9 shortboard divisions.

Chrislyn Simpson-Kane, who defeated 32 girls in longboard, had the two highest-scoring waves in the longboard and shortboard finals. Ty Simpson-Kane had the top two waves in his shortboard final, and won a split decision over Zolten Poulsen in besting 31 other longboarders.

“It was a very amazing day,” Ty said. “It was my last event here, super thankful to be part of this year after year. I wanted to go out with a bang.”

Ty Simpson-Kane won the boys 11-12 shortboard and boys longboard titles. -- 1morephotography.com / DAYANIDHI DAS photo

Surf was consistent throughout most the day, but high tide arrived for the final heats.

“The high tide made it challenging, made it more sloppy,” Ty said. “I just went out and made the most of it.”

Chrislyn defeated defending champion Chloe Domingo in longboard. In the final, Chrislyn was able to hang 10 toes over the nose once, and slid to the nose “cheater five” style multiple times.

After her longboard final at the Kihei peak, she had to change boards and head over to the Lahaina peak for her shortboard final.

“I had to paddle way over and put on a leash,” Chrislyn said. “My arms were dead.”

Cash Berzolla claimed titles in boys 9-10 shortboard and 10-12 stand-up paddling. -- 1morephotography.com / DAYANIDHI DAS photo

After catching seven waves in her 15-minute longboard final, she still was able to ride five more in the shortboard heat.

“I go to a gym once a week in Haiku,” Chrislyn said. “I use a paddle machine during warm­ups. I paddle two minutes as hard as I can. It really helps.”

The other double winner was Cash Berzolla, a 6th-grader-to-be at Carden Academy. He repeated in 9-10 shortboard and won 10-12 stand-up paddling — he was the 7-9 SUP champion last year.

Berzolla edged Rafi Neri for the second consecutive year in shortboard.

“The other competitors are definitely good. It’s really a challenge,” Berzolla said. “I know a lot of them could beat me very easily.”

The other winners were Ruby Stringfellow (6 and under), Ethan Mangat (boys 7-8) and Tamryn Taoka (girls 10-12) in shortboard, Hudson McKim in bodyboard and Chase Burnes in 7-9 stand-up paddle.

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POHAI NA KEIKI NALU (GATHERING OF THE SURF KIDS)

Saturday’s Results

At Launiupoko Beach Park

Shortboard

6 and under–1. Ruby Stringfellow, 2. Bode Davis, 3. Kassius Wallace, 4. Seth Jucker, 5. Dylan Edwards, 6. Hudson Edmonds.

Boys 7-8–1. Ethan Mangat, 2. Conner Beaver, 3. Colin Sloan, 4. Desmond Connelly, 5. Noah Richard, 6. T.J. Hehemann.

Girls 7-9–1. Chrislyn Simpson-Kane, 2. Hayden Baldwin, 3. Sloane Jucker, 4. Layla Merrill, 5. Shia Boverman, 6. Ione LaTurner.

Boys 9-10–1. Cash Berzolla, 2. Rafi Neri, 3. Otis Buckingham, 4. Dylan Sloan, 5. Oscar Hudson, 6. Isaiah Walleng-Krebs.

Girls 10-12–1. Tamryn Taoka, 2. Nora Liotta, 3. Haylee Boverman, 4. Hadley Talavs, 5. Ellie May Brown, 6. Hana Howard.

Boys 11-12–1. Ty Simpson-Kane, 2. Chase Anderson, 3. Barron Hanes, 4. Keola Roback, 5. Taj Newton, 6. Kanoa Kaiwi.

Longboard

Boys–1. Ty Simpson-Kane, 2. Zolten Poulsen, 3. Kai Claydon, 4. Barron Hanes, 5. Dylan Sloan, 6. Taj Newton.

Girls–1. Chrislyn Simpson-Kane, 2. Chloe Domingo, 3. Nora Liotta, 4. Ellie May Brown, 5. Stella Valdez, 6. Haylee Boverman.

Stand-Up Paddle

7-9–1. Chase Burnes, 2. Zolten Poulsen, 3. Marley Franco, 4. Ethan Mangat, 5. Kingston Panebianco, 6. Anderson Gallagher.

10-12–1. Cash Berzolla, 2. Kai Claydon, 3. Nainoa Holland, 4. Noam Artzi.

Bodyboard–1. Hudson McKim, 2. Otis Buckingham, 3. Brody Smith, 4. Josiah Balmus, 5. Noa Arnold, 6. Isaiah Wallena-Krebs.

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