Peter Cole Surf Polo, 2009

Surf Legend Peter Cole was honored Sunday at the 2nd Annual Peter Cole Invitational Surfboard Polo Tourney. The surf water polo event was a fitting tribute to Peter, as he himself was a top collegiate swimmer and water polo player prior to becoming a pioneering big wave surfer. The event was held at Waimea Bay from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Surfboard polo is water polo played on surfboards. It is a fast moving sport that is as fun to watch, as it is to play. It was played with great enthusiasm in Waikiki during 1930’s and 1940’s, and the Kahanamoku brothers were avid participants.

This year featured a repeat of last year’s finals between Paumalu Surf Polo Club and Team Wahoos, and the final game was very physical. With several All-American water polo players on their roster, The Wahoos were able to take a 2-0 lead at half-time on goals from Mike and David Pietsch The score remained 2-0 late into the second half until Mike Trisler got Paumalu on the board with an outside skip shot. With just under three minute remaining in the game, Paumalu tied the game on a spectacular back-handed goal by Doug Cole (son of Peter Cole). With less than 1 minute to play, Doug Cole drew a 5M penalty shot as he was fouled by Bruce Black. Craig Watson took the penalty shot and scored the game-winner against Wahoos goalie Robbie Field. With one last possession and seconds remaining, The Wahoos' Mike Pietsch broke free for one last shot, which sailed high over the goal. The final score was 3-2 Paumalu, and for his tying and game-winning goal, Doug Cole was named MVP.

In addition to honoring Peter Cole, all entry fees from this event were donated to the Surfrider Foundation-Oahu Chapter. The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s oceans, waves and beaches for all people, through conservation, activism, research and education.

Results:

Round 1

Paumalu 5 Surfrider Foundation 0
Jamie Gove's KTT All-Stars 7 Shootsden 1
Team Wahoos 8 North Shore 1
Lifeguards 4 Fire 0

Consolation Semi-Finals

Shootsden 5 North Shore 1
Fire 2 Surfrider Foundation 1

Championships Semi-Finals

Paumalu 5 Lifeguards 3
Team Wahoos 4 Jamie Gove's KTT All-Stars 2

Consolation Final

Shootsden 4 Fire 1

Championship Game

Paumalu 3 Team Wahoos 2
goals-PAU: Doug Cole 2, Mike Trisler 1, Craig Watson 1, WAH: Mike Piestch 1 Dave Piestch 1

For more information:
Aukai Ferguson: aukai5@yahoo.com 808-551-6830
John Nielsen nielsenj001@hawaii.rr.com 808-220-2222

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