After collecting his massive check, his father, local legend and accomplished surf board shaper Ward Coffey joined in the celebration. When asked what he would do with his winnings, Ben chuckled, “I’ll probably just save it; I don’t really like spending money.”

“The surf was in the waist high range with a few bigger inconsistent sets rolling through,” said Event Director Dustin Smith. “It was a close race between Ben and another longboarder. However, Ben prevailed by connecting several long rides with numerous stylish carves all the way to the cliff. In fact, some rides were so long he would hop out of the water, run past the judges and back to the top of the point for another.”

“Ben surfed really well with smooth stylish turns, something you don’t always see in surfers his age,” said Kevin Campion, one of three judges on hand for the event. “He had great energy and enthusiasm.”

To see the latest Bum Rush Tour photos, visit www.facebook.com/TrustTheBum
To see videos of the latest Bum Rush Tour events, visit www.BumRushTour.com

“It was a close race between Ragnar, Bryan Dickerson, and few others,” noted Kevin Campion, one of the three judges on hand for the event. “But the wave that really sealed the deal was when Ragnar took off on a swing wide set that started with a few solid turns and ended with a legitimate tube section.”

Upon realization that he had won a contest he didn’t even know he was participating in, Ragnar exclaimed, “I wasn’t sure what the deal was, but I decided to just surf it like I would, and maybe get a lucky wave like I did! I’ll probably use the money to take my wife and eight year-old son surfing in Central America.”

“We are not sure if any contest has ever been held here,” said Dustin Smith, the company’s Event Director. “It is so sketchy out here…If the rocks don’t get ya, the locals might. But, you know, it’s such an iconic break that we just had to risk it.”

To see the latest Bum Rush Tour photos, visit www.facebook.com/TrustTheBum
To see videos of the latest Bum Rush Tour events, visit www.BumRushTour.com

After a disappointing wave check at Rock Piles, the Sun Bum crew decided to move the contest to the skate park across the street, where it’s always seven-foot and glassy. The park was swamped with kids eager to get some skating in after school let out. Local guest judge, Eddie Crawford, from Surf N Sea in Oahu, joined the crew and helped decide a winner in the impromptu 20-minute skate jam. Lots of concrete shredding went down with lots of local talent, but it was 16 year-old Eric “Malakai” Montes that took home the giant $1,000 check.

“It was a close competition,” said judge Tracey Kehler. “Everybody was ripping, but Malakai had the best style overall.”

Malakai deserved the check after throwing down some nasty smith grinds, huge frontside and backside airs, and even ended his last run with a massive back tailslide revert around the curved seven-foot quarter pipe. He gave the judges quite a show.

“I was wondering what was happening when I saw the Sun Bum tent setting up; I was really confused,” said Malakai. “I thought you guys were joking about the contest.”

It was no joke, Malakai plans to use the money to buy some new decks and order a couple of pizzas. Judge Eddie Crawford said, “The skating was so good, I wish we could have had a lot more winners, but Malakai earned it.”

Sun Bum sun care products are used and trusted by the Hawaiian Water Patrol and North Shore Lifeguard Association.

For the latest Bum Rush Tour photos visit www.facebook.com/TrustTheBum
To see videos of the latest Bum Rush Tour events visit www.BumRushTour.com

The Bum Rush Tour made its second stop in Hawaii, this time on the West side of Oahu at Makaha. It was a perfect morning with head high sets, clear blue water, and tons of locals soaking up the surf and sun. Local guest judges had their work cut out for them with the waves pumping and the ocean busy. But standing out among the rippers was local legend and beloved lifeguard, Bouvey Bradbury, who took the $1,000 check during a pre-work surf before clocking in at the guard tower.

Bouvey saw the Sum Bum crew pulling in and posting up, but had no idea his session would earn him an extra paycheck when it was all said and done. “I saw some yellow banners and tents going up, and I knew something was happening,” Bouvey said. ”But wow, what a surprise! When I was called out of the water, I was like, what? A $1,000 check? Stoked!”

“We were pumped to see Bouvey take the win,” said event director Dustin Smith. “He really represented the great lifeguard community and his local town of Makaha well.”

Bouvey commented that he plans to use the money to pay off some bills and buy a few cold ones for him and the boys. 

With another contest stop planned for this weekend, be sure to be on the lookout for Sun Bum’s 1971 yellow modified Suburban. If you see it, get in the water, and surf like you’re in a contest, because you are!

Sun Bum sun care products are used and trusted by the Hawaiian Water Patrol and North Shore Lifeguard Association.

To see the latest Bum Rush Tour photos, visit www.facebook.com/TrustTheBum
To see videos of the latest Bum Rush Tour events, visit www.BumRushTour.com

OAHU, Hawaii (Feb. 2012) – Sun Bum has kicked off its wildly-popular but ever-elusive Bum Rush Tour in Hawaii this week. The Bum Rush Tour is a unique surfing contest that swept up and down the east and west coasts of the lower 48 last year. What makes it unique, you ask? There are no qualifiers, no entry fees, no applications, and you don’t know when or where it’s going to happen. What makes it even sweeter is 20 minutes after the horn sounds, one surfer will be called out, showered with cheap champagne, and given a big fat check for one thousand dollars.

The Tour made its anticipated first stop at Hale’iwa yesterday. It was a crowded line-up with sets overhead and everyone was ripping. Hometown hero and honorary guest judge, Kawika Foster from the Hawaiian Water Patrol, helped score the contest that gave the win to sixteen year-old Kai Matsumoto.

“It was very obvious that Kai was catching more waves than anyone,” boasted judge Dustin Boshart. “He was killing it with frontside hacks, smooth roundhouses and boosted some major airs.”

“I had no idea what was going on,” Kai said, “Kawika told me to paddle in, and that I won a thousand bucks. I didn’t even know what it was for. I’m so psyched right now!”

Kai plans to save his hefty check for college and gave a mahalo to his sponsors, mom and dad, for taking him to the beach every day, and of course, everyone at Sun Bum. Keep your eyes open as the Bum Rush Tour continues to hit the beautiful beaches of Hawaii.

Sun Bum sun care products are used and trusted by the Hawaiian Water Patrol and North Shore Lifeguard Association.

To see the latest Bum Rush Tour photos, visit www.facebook.com/TrustTheBum

To see videos of the latest Bum Rush Tour events, visit www.BumRushTour.com.