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TGIF

Duke’s legend lives on

COURTESY SHANE WOZNICK
Bear and Talin Woznick.

Duke’s OceanFest celebrates the 120th anniversary of Duke Kahanamoku’s birth, and the vast contributions he made to ocean sports in Hawaii and around the world during his travels as a surfer, Olympic gold medal swimmer, Hollywood actor and ambassador of aloha.

Legendary beachboys and wave riders carry on Duke’s legacy and will be participating in the Hawaiian Airlines Duke’s Legends Surf Classic today and tomorrow.

Beachboys and surfing legends expected include Joey Cabell, Jock Sutherland, Keone Downing, Ben Aipa, Tony Moniz, Rory Russell and many others.

Proceeds from Duke’s OceanFest go to the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation for college scholarships and an athletic grants program that supports outstanding Hawaii scholar-athletes competing in volleyball and water sports.

Sales of collectible T-shirts from the 2010 Duke’s OceanFest merchandise tent and www.dukefoundation.org support the programs.

TODAY, tandem surfing is also celebrated, with an autograph party featuring tandem legends at the Cabanas Pool Bar of the Ohana Waikiki West Hotel.

Tandem teams from across the islands and around the world came to the birthplace of this sport to compete in the Duke’s OceanFest International Tandem Surf Association Cabanas Competition, which took place earlier this week.

One such legend is Bear Woznick, two-time Masters World Tandem Champion, co-founder and co-president of the ITSA. He and his wife, Talin (pictured), offer free lessons most afternoons at Waikiki Beach to those who dare to tandem. The couple has traveled the world, establishing competitions in California, Florida, Virginia, Australia and Europe. Woznick and Talin (a national gymnastics champion) relish their work as coaching duo and continue to develop new teams and new events.

Woznick is a CPA, business coach and author. His book "The Wave" will be released in the spring of 2012. "It shares the lessons surfers learn about life and about God," he says.

For more information about Bear and tandem surfing, visit www. hawaiitandemsurf.com.

NINTH ANNUAL DUKE’S OCEANFEST

Hawaiian Airlines Duke’s Legends Surf Classic: 7:30 a.m. today and tomorrow

C4 Waterman Stand-up Paddling Surf-off: 12:30 p.m. today

Duke’s Waikiki Beachboy Celebration: 4 to 6 p.m. today at Duke’s Restaurant in the Outrigger Waikiki, 2335 Kalakaua Ave.

Autograph session, tandem surfing legends: 6:30 p.m. today, Cabanas Pool Bar, Ohana Waikiki West Hotel, 2330 Kuhio Ave.

Screening of the film "Pacific Vibrations": 8 p.m. today at Outrigger Reef on the Beach, 2169 Kalia Road (limited seating; giveaways and special appearances begin at 7:30 p.m. today)

Corona Beach Volleyball Championships: 7 a.m. tomorrow

Outrigger Hotels Surf Polo Tournament: 9 a.m. tomorrow

Duke’s Waikiki Ocean Mile Swim: 9 a.m. tomorrow

Maui Jim Presents Hawaii Paddleboard Championships: 11 a.m. tomorrow, Hawaii Kai to Waikiki

Corona Surfing Expression Session: 12:30 p.m. tomorrow

Waikiki Lei Parade and draping of Duke Kahanamoku’s statue: 4:45 p.m. tomorrow; parade from the Outrigger Waikiki along Kalakaua Avenue to the Duke Kahanamoku Statue, with lei-draping ceremony at 5 p.m.

The Great Hawaiian 105 KINE Luau: 6 p.m. tomorrow, Waikiki Aquarium. Tickets, $60, at www.hawaiian105.com.

Screening, "The Ride": 8 p.m., Outrigger Reef. The film imagines modern-day surfers traveling back in time to meet Duke Kahanamoku. Preceded at 7:30 p.m. by autograph signings with "Ride" actors Weldon Kekauoha, Wil Kahele and Paulette (Franco) Watson.

Cost: Free

Info: Schedule of events, live webcasts at www.dukefoundation.org. Outrigger Waikiki: 923-0711. Cabanas Pool Bar: 922-3143. Outrigger Reef Hotel: 923-3111.

 

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