For years Keanu Asing and Carissa Moore would doggedly compete for waves and battle for bragging rights with almost ruthless determination at the Oahu surf spot known as Kewalos.
HAWAII SURFING SWEEPS
Same-site, same-day championships by Hawaii pro surfers
Year |
Site |
Winners |
2016 |
France |
Keanu Asing/Carissa Moore |
2003 |
Fiji |
Andy Irons/Keala Kennelly |
2002 |
Tahiti |
Andy Irons/Keala Kennelly
|
Source: World Surf League
“Every time either of us would show up and (be) surfing at the same time it was like a sparring session, trying to draw blood,” Asing recalls.
Late Wednesday night in a restaurant in the Basque coast beach town of Hossegor, in the southwest corner of France, they would recall those all-out youthful competitions, hoist a toast and celebrate their part in a Hawaii surfing milestone.
By winning the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro France this week, they became the first Hawaii surfers in 13 years to double up by winning pro surf titles on the same day at the same site.
According to World Surf League records, that has happened just three times, the previous time coming in 2003 when Andy Irons and Keala Kennelly won in Fiji.
“We were proud of each other and (said) that we should make a huge barbecue or party at ‘Walos,” Asing said in an email interview. “So much emotion went on having all (our) friends there it was really amazing. But she told me she was proud of me.”
“It was definitely pretty cool,” Moore said by email. “We both feel very proud to represent Hawaii and all the people who have loved and supported us along the way.”
In that wide, diverse group, they would also count themselves. Their early battles “made us great competitors and athletes today,” Asing said.
For the 24-year-old Moore, who has won three world titles, it was the first victory of 2016 and places her third in the rankings heading into the Maui Women’s Pro (Nov. 23-Dec 5) at Honolua Bay.
But for Asing, 23, it was a breakthrough accomplishment, his first appearance in a qualifying series finale and victory on the Championship Tour.
“Some men and women never win an event on the Championship Tour in their career (and) this is a huge accomplishment for Keanu, and I am so happy to see all his hard work, heart and dedication pay off,” said Moore, who paid tribute to the win by picking up the tab for both of their tables.
The 5-foot, 3-inch Asing never stood taller. That his path to the trophy stand required victories over legendary Kelly Slater, top-ranked John John Florence and 2014 world champ Gabriel Medina of Brazil in the final would make the reward for his painstaking dedication to the sport even sweeter.
“It means the world to me, but (it is) also testament that dreams come true,” Asing said. “I feel it is a story for the world to hear. Anything is possible if you put your mind to it.”
Indeed, Asing was 33rd in the world rankings — 11 spots below the cutoff line to retain his qualification for a place on the 2017 tour — and had managed just one top-10 finish in eight previous events this year.
The son of Thomas Asing, a state karate champion in the 1970s and ’80s, Keanu said, “I was 33rd in the world with all the odds stacked against me and I shocked the world. Multiple 25th-place finishes this year with my back against the wall, (but) I stepped in and knocked out some of the best pound for pound surfers …Who says you can’t win? Who says it is impossible. No one can write your story but yourself.”
Moore said, “It is so special that we grew up surfing together and now we are both chasing our dreams on the World Championship Tour.”
Asing said, “I hope every person can see this and open their eyes and mind to their life today, whether it is work, school or any adversity they might be feeling, and achieve what they always dreamed of. Because there are no words that could ever explain this and there is no reason why you can’t achieve your dreams.”