"Cunha Captures Surf Riding Title," Honolulu Advertiser, Nov 26, 1956

Conrad Cunha, representing Waikiki Surf Club, won the Men’s Open surfboard riding championship yesterday as the International Surfing Meet got underway before several thousands of spectators at Makaha beach.

Cunha dethroned Rabbit Kekai of Hui Nalu as champion. Kekai, displaying his usual fine form, took runner-up honors. Ken Carvalho of Hale Auau was third, Frances Williams of Makaha Surf Club was fourth, and Clarence Maki of Waikiki Surf Club was fifth.

Waves, measuring around 15 feet from the starting point, made conditions good, although the waters became rougher in the afternoon hours of a program which started around 9 AM.

About 40 surfers entered the senior event and qualifiers for the final were determined in seven separate heats.

Ethel Kukea of Waikiki Surf Club made a successful defense of her championship in the women’s surfboard riding event. She won out over teammate Betty Heldriech and Cynthia Hemmings of Outrigger Canoe Club, who was third.

J. Raydon captured the boys 17 and under event. Second was M. Ikeda. He was followed by G. Halpern, T. Tilton, and T. Gebauer.

The second portion of the program, including tandem riding, body surfing, and mat surfing will be held next Sunday.

"Krewson, Kea Win Tandem Event," Honolulu Advertiser, Dec 3, 1956

Bobby Krewson of Bobby's Surfboards, teaming up with Kehau Kea of Outrigger Canoe Club, won the mixed tandem surfboard riding championship of the International Surfing meet yesterday at Makaha.

Ed Whaley, also of Bobby’s Surfboards, and Barbara Weatherman took runnerup honors while Rabbit Kekai of Hui Nalu and Nancy Boyd finished third.

Last year Whaley and Nancy Boyd won the title.

Buddy Young and Connie Leong. both unattached, placed fourth, while fifth place went to Mud Werner of Bobby's Surfboards and Ann Lamont of Waikiki Surf Club.

Richard (Buffalo) Keaulana of Makaha Surf Club took top honors in the bodysurfing competition. Francis Williams, also of Makaha, finished second and Dick Cleveland, former world's fastest swimmer representing Outrigger, took third place. Joe Maunakea of the 25th Division was fourth and Fred Heath, unattached, finished fifth.

Keaulana's victory was hailed by surfing enthusiasts as a fine comeback. He was injured in the open surfboard riding event a week ago and was hospitalized for two days. But yesterday he displayed courage and fine form to regain the title he held in 1954. Williams was the defending champion.

Bud Browne of Waikiki Surf Club retained his title in the mat surfing event. Howard Mohiau of Makaha was second and Ed Whaley was third. Browne is from California.

Yesterday’s events brought the championships to a close. The first half of the program was held on Sunday, Nov. 25, with Conrad Canha winning the men's open surfboard riding title.

1956 Makaha International Surfing Championships

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