#Tournotes Does The Keiki Classic!

Have you ever won a Sportsmanship Award? Not me. I either win like a dickhead or lose like an asshole. I’ve always wanted one though… you know, for that warm n fuzzy feeling. Even if the award is something of a backhanded compliment, it still probably makes you feel like a good person.

And, in some cases, it might even make your wildest dreams come true. 

For the past 23 years, Shane Dorian has been running the Keiki Classic – a surf comp for Big Island groms which, beyond just trying to find the best locals shredders, is designed to help others in their community. That’s why the entry fee is a few cans of beans (to be donated the Big Island’s homeless population) rather than 50-or-so beans (into Shane’s pockets). 

Adding to this theme is the event’s special award – the Sawyer Award – which is given to the kid who shows the most heart, compassion, and helpfulness in his community. But this year’s winner, Luke Heflin, got more than just a plaque and an atta boy. To show how much he appreciated Luke’s efforts, one of Dorian’s best friends, Kelly Slater, called Luke to invite him for a day at the wave poolthis year. 

And damn. If that doesn’t make you want to start being a better person, I don’t know what will. 

So good on ya Luke… and Kelly… and Shane… and everybody else involved in the Keiki Classic. You all seem like much better people than I can even pretend to be. 

And my word, how good is little Jackson getting at surfing?