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“Surfers in Residence” at Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort Catches a Wave into 2020

Posted by Kathy Foley

3/9/2020

To View/Download Surfers in Residence imagery and video, click here

HONOLULU — Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort kicked off its cultural surf program, “Surfers in Residence,” last year and the monthly series has quickly become a guest favorite. A natural fit for the beachfront resort where surf culture is king, Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort is located at the original home of Outrigger Canoe Club, where legendary Hawaiian waterman Duke Kahanmoku surfed.

Surfers in Residence is a unique monthly program for guests of Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort featuring professional surfers and/or watermen and their families “in residence” who “talk story” with guests and ultimately head out for a surf session if they choose.

“Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort is on the 50-yard line of modern surfing. Our intent is to offer a Signature Experience for guests that’s centered on the property’s rich surf legacy; our monthly Surfers in Residence series is authentic, novel and memorable,” said Revell Newton, general manager.

On tap for March 25 are professional surfers and founders of Sunrise Shack @sunriseshack, the Smith brothers, Alex, Travis and Koa – who started an organic fruit stand at the end of their driveway with dreams to make enough money for a two-month surf trip to Australia. While surfing and traveling, they developed a passion for healthy eating that resulted in the Sunrise Shack on Oahu’s north shore in 2016 and three years later, their second location streetfront at the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort.

Big surf tales and history of this fabled water sport, plus a surf exhibit tour at Duke’s Waikiki are complimentary for resort guests. Surf know-how is a must to hit the waves with the brothers – bring a board or rent one from Aqualani, fronting Duke’s Waikiki.

Past and recurring Surfers in Residence include:

  • The Moniz family – owners of Faith Surf School – a glimpse into the “beach boys” (Waikiki watermen of yesterday) era
  • Paul Strauch – surf pioneer, known for his “Cheater Five” longboard maneuver
  • Tom ‘Pohaku’ Stone – traditional Hawaiian surfboard shaper, former pro-surfer, waterman and educator (Surfer in Residence Video with Pohaku)
  • Travis Grant – Australian SUP surfer and four-time Molokai-2-Oahu champ

The series has found success partnering with Duke’s Waikiki restaurant, located in the lobby level of Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort, and Faith Surf School, Outrigger’s partner for surf and SUP lessons as well as canoe rides. It promotes not only legends of surf, but some of the fantastic water sports that happen fronting the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort, including Duke’s OceanFest in August and the popular summer canoe regattas, where thousands flock to the pristine sands of Waikiki Beach to celebrate the spirit of surfing and experience top-notch competition. With surfing slated to be in the Olympics for the first time this year, interest and enthusiasm for the sport is likely to reach new “peaks.”

For more information about Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort’s Surfers in Residence series, click here.

Click here for a PDF of this release.

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