NOTE: Finals for the 1962 Makaha Inernational were held on Jan 1, 1963

"Makaha International Championships," SURFER Magazine, Feb 1964

The 10th Annual Makaha International Surfing Championships finished in a mushy three-to-four-foot surf after an unsually promising start. The heats and semifinals saw surf raging from 15-to-18-feet on one day and a solid six-to-eight on another. The major upset of the event was Australian Bernard "Midget" Farrelly's winning of the men's title, marking the first time a non-Mainlander has won the crown. Peter Cole, who won the men's in 1958 is considered a resident of Hawaii. Californian Nancy Nelson won the women's open, with Marge Calhoun placing a strong second. Nancy hails from San Clemente; Marge from Laguna Beach.

Two of the top performances were turned in by general chairman Ken Simpson and events chairman Mud Werner. They are credited with several major improvements in the running of the Makaha Championships that were favorably accepted by participants and spectators. The contest was run on consecutive days to avoid the ten-week fiasco of last year; judges were not allowed to compete; heats were well-planned with one ready to go immediately following the completion of the previous one; and several judges were selected from California as well as Hawaii.

One of the highlights of the event was the quality Point Surf that boomed through on Sunday, December 23. The judges had some difficulty in getting a heat together for the eighteen-foot giants and once outside, few were riding. According to judge Mike Diffenderfer, the size forced postponement before the final heat. Several of the judges then adjourned to the water where conditions were outstanding

In spite of the improvements, the Makaha judging system was still under fire by both judges and participants. A heavy rating is given for the length of the ride (passing buoys gives from 5 to 30 points), while performance is only allowed a possible 10 points. One judge judges one rider on a wave and then passes his card on to the next judge who judges that same rider's next wave. The system of judging one rider at a time is necessary with the "buoy" or "flag” system, but is the "buoy" system necessary? In California, Australia, and Peru, the "relativity" method (judging one performance against the others) has proven very successful with few ever disputing the results. While expressing his views, judge Dewey Weber emphasized the fact that distance received a higher rating than performance and indicated that some changes may be in store for next year.

"Towering Waves Trim Makaha Field," Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Dec 24, 1962

Makaha's fickle waves. which in the past have frustrated surfing programs and caused postponements of the International Surfing Championships for more than a month, responded beautifully over the weekend.

“The whopping 25 and 30 footers enabled us to process the 99 mens surfers and cut the field to 34 for the semifinals," said Ken Simpson, managing director of the 10th annual international Makaha Surfing Championships.

"The waves were too high for junior surfers and for safety’s sake we ran only the mens events. The juniors will get their chance later in the week," events chairman Mud Werner added.

Officials at the weekend eliminations were unanimous in their opinion the Makaha presented "was the finest in the nine-year history of the international event."

The surfing meet is scheduled to continue Thursday through Sunday. The height of the waves will determine the events to be held.

Remaining on the program, in addition to the men’s semis and finals, are juniors, womens, and tandem.

"Unconscious Surfer Rides on Instinct," Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Dec 24, 1962

"I'd never believe it," said Ken Simpson, managing director of the International Surfing Championship at Makaha, but it happened Saturday at the meet.

"Bobby Ah Choy, a fine water man in his middle 20s who’s been surfing all his life, got hit on the back of his head by his board in the first of his three qualifying rides.

"He retrieved his board, completed his other two rides, then made for shore and went into the Red Cross tent for first aid.

"Ah Choy said he didn’t remember riding his last two waves, that he must have been unconscious.

"What Bobby means,” Simpson interjected, "is that he rode the whopping waves for 30 minutes on instinct alone as he was hit during the first 15 minutes of his 45-minute time allotment."

"Isle Surfers 'Wiped Out' at Makaha Meet," Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Jan 2, 1963

Isle surfing prestige was, to borrow the sport's terminology, “wiped out” yesterday when an Australian won top honors in the men’s division in the Makaha International Surfing finals yesterday.

Bernard (Midget) Farrelley became only the second non-islander to win the event in the meet's history. The only other “outsider” was Peter Cole before he moved to the Islands.

Bobby Ah Choy placed second. Nappy Napoleon third and Blue Makua Jr., was fourth.

More than 3,500 fans took in the all-day finals yesterday. Waves were a “not-too-good” six to eight feet for the competition.

Peter Kahapea was the junior men’s champion, while John Clark, John Sandowski and Fred Hemmings, Jr., followed in that order.

Officials of the 10th annual competition were disappointed at the lack of high waves, which they described as “not big enough for Men’s competition," but decided to go on with the meet anyway.

Biggest crowd for the week-long meet was Saturday night when a crowd estimated at 10,000, turned out to watch the non-competitive night-surfing events.

The committee from the Waikiki Surf Club, sponsor of the meet, will convene Monday night to discuss plans for the 1963 competition. It is likely the 1963 races will be held at the same time of year.

1) Midget Farrelly, 2) Bobby Ah Choy, 3) Nappy Napoleon, 4) Blue Makua

1) Nancy Nelson, 2) Marge Calhoun, 3) Anona Naome, 4) Candy Calhoun

1) Peter Kahapea, 2) John Clark, 3) John Sadowski, 4) Fred Hemmings

1) Joseph Napoleon and Sue Ellen Ketner, 2) Bobby Ah Choy and Gordon Miller, 3) Fred Hemmings and Margie Stevens

1962 Makaha International Surfing Championships

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