Megan Abubo’s Journal

This week Im in Ecuador for the  ISA  Quiksilver world junior championships.  I ended up here because two months ago, Rainos Hayes asked me if I would like to coach the girls side of the Hawaii junior team and help with the ladies side of things.  Kahea Hart and Himself run the boys side.  Since my year is pretty freed up and I wanted to do some different things, this seemed like the perfect opportunity to give back to this sport that has given me so much.  I was pretty amped to be a part of such a special event.  Before I left for Australia back in February I did a couple of training sessions with the girls and was pretty amped to work with them.

This event is being held in Salinas Ecuador.  To get here was a mission!! Especially with 12 teenagers , 3 coaches, a few sets of parents and long time supporters of amateur surfing.  I’m not used to checking in with so many people, not have my special seat, and being entertained the whole time I travel basically.  It was very different but a good experience for me.  so 3 5 hour plane rides later, mechanical difficulties, and a few layovers we were finally in Ecuador.

The past few days have been spent prepping the kids for competition.  I did a bit of filming, talking, and surfing with them.  I am mostly just soaking it all in and learning from Rainos and Kahea.  These two have been working for many years with kids. Rainos was one of my coaches and kahea is a very well respected professional surfer with lots of experience and passion for the sport.  Heck both of them have lots of experience and both of them can get tubed better than you on any given day!

These kids are real good though.  Some of the best young kids I have ever seen.  So polished and mature in their surfing.  And their all very respectful as well.  I was brought along to give a feminine touch to the girls side of things. Our team consists of Alessa Quizon, Malia Manuel,  Leila Hurst, and Nage Melamed.  I think each one of these girls has the potential to win this event.

The first day here we surfed a little left point , kind of like a big kewalos to me.  but wow, its hard to get waves with 250 frothing groms out.  So I moved down the beach to where the other podium is and caught a few.  There is quite a bit of swell so all the kids and parents are stoked.  This should be a good event.

Today was the parade of nations.  We got all dressed up in mumus and haku leis while the boys wore khaki and kukui nut leis.  Everyone represented Hawaii so well.  I guess that’s why everyone is here, to make Hawaii look good.  We walked about 2 miles down the beach front with local Ecuadorians taking pictures and throwing out shakas every twenty feet.  It was pretty cool! The town got super into it.  well tomorrow starts the first day of competition, better get some shut eye.  And hope we smash some other keikis on our journey to winning.

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