Malia Manuel
Wailua, Kauai, and has been groomed at right hand points and punchy beachbreaks like Kealia. Growing up surfing with guys like the Irons brothers, the Valiere's and Roy Powers, Malia has picked up a progressive surfing style that is becoming more prevalent among young surfer women. But, Malia is at the top of her class when it comes to progressive surfing and has dominated the Hawaii ranks for years. One of her proudest accomplishments was finishing in second place last year (2006) in one of the most competitive divisions in amateur surfing, Open Womens at the NSSA Nationals. In a heavily contested heat against the best in young women's surfing, Malia battled it out with the likes of Carissa Moore, Coco Ho and Sage Erickson in a 35 minute final, finishing only fractions of a point behind the first place winner.
Malia is a true competitor and a very focused individual. She keeps her grades up while training nearly everyday and plans to continue to take the surf world by storm. Most recently Malia beat out Hawaii's and Cali's best in the RipCurl Grom Search, a tour to find the best young athlete from the U.S and send them to compete at the WCT Rip Curl Bells, Australia event in April 2008. Malia is the future of women's surfing and will continue to push the limits on speed and progression while keeping a smooth style, grace and a smile…
Nicknames: Lia, Poi Pounda
Achievements: Top Hawai'i Finisher 2006 Haleiwa OP Pro
2007 NSSA Middle School Girls Champion
Ripcurl Grom Search National Girls winner
NSSA Hawai'i Open Women Regional champ 2007
Runner-up Open Women Nationals 2006
Hobbies: running, swimming, eating, reading, and the computer
Sponsors: O'Neill, Teqoph Surfboards by Bill Johnson, Sticky Bumps, Tamba surf co.
Favorite Foods: fruit, smoothies, and popcorn
Favorite Movies: Replay
Favorite Surfers: The Kaua'i boys, and Lahiki Minamishin
Traveled to: Hawai'i and California
Dream trip: Hawai'i
Music: Hawaiian
Music to get you fired up before a heat: Old School Rap
Random facts: UH Warriors - undefeated. yeeeee
Malia Manuel and Tanner Gudauskas win the US Open by O'Neill
Victorious at the US Open by O'Neill
This year saw one of the most exciting US Open’s in history. The waves and the weather cooperated most of the time with a series of tropical pulses and southern hemi swells that kept waves rolling towards the Huntington Pier the entire event.
The 2008 Winner of the Honda US Open of Surfing presented by O’Neill is Nathaniel Curran who has achieved what most consider as the biggest win on the WQS tour. He put on an amazing display of lightning fast surfing to impress the fans and judges to beat French surfer Tim Boal.
Kauaiian prodigy Malia Manuel's performance in the US Open Women’s Pro is truly an incredible feat which puts her mark on history as the “youngest competitor ever” to win the event at 14-years-old.
The competition was stiff throughout the event and she had to tackle some giants, namely former World Champion Sofia Mulanovich and Sally Fitzgibbons to achieve the ultimate prize.
There wasn’t a person on the beach that wasn’t inspired and in awe of her accomplishment.
San Clemente’s Tanner Gudauskas win in the Pro Junior final was nothing short of spectacular. He fended off Australian Julian Wilson’s early onslaught with dogged determination, great wave selection, and pedal to the metal surfing.
Tanner threw caution to the wind by executing 180-air rotation air, huge fins free gouges and backside vertical surfing, which had big cheers coming from the packed house of fans on the beach.
When Tanner was behind late in the final he never lost sight of his goal. With minutes remaining on the clock he posted 8.25 with a series of powerful and wicked frontside tail free snaps which ultimately turned the tide in his favor for a great victory.
1. Most embarrassing moment?
Some one said something really funny while I was drinking root beer, and I spit it all over my bestfriend.
2. Favorite quote?
"To get what we've never had, we must do what we've never done."
3. Chocolate or Vanilla?
Chocolate
4. Glass on fins or fin systems? Why?
Future Fins; high tech&easier for traveling
5. Favorite surf destination and wave?
My homebreak.
6. Favorite maneuver?
Anything progressive
7. Celebrity crush?
Never had one.
8. What's in your traveling quiver?
A few different boards
9. Status (Married, single, whatever?)
Whatever.
10. Favorite website?
Oneill.com & Surfline.com
11. Sounds?
I like it all! Keali'i Reichel, India Arie, Rihanna, Lil Wayne and lots more.
12. Biggest influence in your life?
People who are considerate and have dignity.
13. Favorite Surfers?
Kaua'i boys.
14. What traits in the opposite sex are most attractive?
A healthy, non-partier.
15. Worst wipeout?
Still have that scar from Hanalei Bay.
16. Words to live by?
Don't let your ego get in the way of growth.
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world
- year: 2008
- title: U.S. Open Champion
- description: Malia Manuel (Wailua, HI), the youngest champion ever of the US Open at 14, has claimed the Women’s Honda U.S. Open of Surfing presented by O’Neill.
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