Hawaii Beat

By Star-Bulletin Staff

Friday, November 5, 1999

Waves pick up for
Day 2 of Xcel Pro

The second day of the Association of Surfing Professionals Rusty Xcel pro at Sunset Beach, Oahu saw a much-needed pick-up of morning wave size.

Waves rolled in the 6- to 8-foot range just after the 8:30 a.m. start with glassy but inconsistent conditions all day.

Hawaii's Johnny Boy Gomes got off to a slow start but eventually recovered, winning in the last minute of his heat.

"I needed that wave to make it," Gomes said. "I knew I had second (place)."

Haleiwa's 16-year-old Sean Moody, Nainoa Suratt , 18, and Kamalei Alexander of Kauai also advanced.

The highest ride went to Bruce Irons of Kauai, who pulled into a deep barrel on the inside section with an average wave score of 9.0.

Hawaii's Derek Ho fell to Nickey Wood from Australia.

Also advancing was defending champion Pancho Sullivan. "I surfed horrible, I felt out of sync, but hallelujah, a second chance," he said.

Surf forecasters are predicting a large swell to arrive tomorrow for the competition's final day.

Punahou ILH v-ball champ

Punahou, Interscholastic League of Honolulu champion, automatically qualifies for the Nissan State Boys Volleyball Championship.

Kamehameha (11-3) meets University (11-3) today in a playoff at Mid Pacific for the ILH's second spot in the state tournament.

The playoff was forced because Kamehameha was the first round runnerup and University was the second round runnerup.

Punahou, undefeated with a 14-0 record, won both rounds.

Tournament seedings and pairings will be announced Sunday.

The state tournament will take place Nov. 11-13 at Waiakea and Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.

Na Koa Club speakers

June Jones and Vantz Singletary will speak at Monday's Na Koa Football Club luncheon at the Waialae Country Club.

Lunch begins at 11:30 a.m. and the program runs from noon to 1 p.m. Cost is $11 per person.