“Legend & Hero to Me”: Community Reminisces Good Old Days as Founder of Iconic Surfing Contest Announces Saddening News

The Pe’ahi surfing contest has seen the rise of many talented surfers gliding through the beautiful ocean. Starting in the mid-1990s, the contest has developed into one of the most popular ones out there. The credit for the same goes to Rodney Lash Nui Kilborn, the founder, and pioneer of surfing in Pe’ahi. He was the sole enthusiast to take into account the surfing needs of amateurs,

Kilborn has been serving as a volunteer for nearly three decades and has now announced his retirement. Fans were saddened by the news and brought back the nostalgia while commenting about his contributions. Let’s check out more about his inputs, that made fans teary-eyed.

Kilborn paved the way for many

Recently, Maui Now shared a post on Facebook, elucidating Rodney Lash Nui Kilborn’s retirement as an organizer of the popular surfing contest. “Rodney Lash Nui Kilborn was a firefighter on Maui and had sponsored a number of amateur surfing events as a volunteer organizer on the Valley Isle, when he led a number of other watermen to help to start the first annual Peʻahi surfing contest in the mid-1990s.”, the media house wrote in the caption.

Starting as a small event, the contest eventually brought surfers from different continents together and received a million-dollar sponsorship in the 2001-2002 season. Rodney started the event as an amateur program which eventually led to the Pe’ahi surfing contest in the mid-1990s, raising awareness of the waves over 30 feet at Pe’ahi and tow-in surfing as a featured event.

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However, with growing years, Kilborn decided to move away from being the founder and work only as a supportive advisor. The people of Maui and the surfing fans addressed this news as an end of an era. In fact, they took to the comment section to appreciate his efforts till date.

The surfing community looked back on Kilborn’s contributions

Talking about this “extraordinary good man”, one fan wrote, “Legend & hero to me. This handsome no need a Superman cape !! He does it all from the heart.” Another fan penned a beautiful insight, “Yea Rodney you one blessing to all of us that love to surf big waves. Thanks for all your hard work on putting on this events.your good people.”

“I’ve learned so much from you. Mahalo for sharing your knowledge and aloha.”, one surfer wrote while crediting Kilborn. Continuing the thread another commented, “thank you for all the opportunities you have provided for water sport people, amateur and professional alike! so much history…Respect!”

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After helping Pe’ahi secure an important place in the world of surfing, Kilborn now wants his successors to go on with the legacy. All he will do now is watch others grow on his paved path.