This will be the last of four preliminary events which ultimately lead to the finals at Wave House Sentosa, Singapore.
Japan’s Yuh Suzuki qualified for the finals after topping the expert bodyboard category, beating both Rain of Korea and Yuki Yamamoto.
Also heading to Singapore were Korea’s Chi Su and Hway Yeon Park, who dominated the men and women’s expert flowboard divisions.
An all-Saipan team trailed Chi Su in the men’s category as Dan Westphal won second place, Derek Gersonde won third, and Keoni Ichihara won fourth.
Japan’s Kaoru Nishimura trailed Park, followed by Korea’s Se Young and lone Canadian flowboarder Lisa Nam.
The Asian Flow Series swept through Singapore, Australia (Gold Coast), and Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur) before reaching Saipan. The winners of the Series finals will advance to South Africa for the world championships.
Suzuki also ruled the men’s open division while Rain took second and Young Song Park settled for third. Another Japanese flow rider – Mieyuki Seita – grabbed fourth place.
Korea’s Mi Ju claimed the women’s open’s crown, followed by Joon Kyung, Mio and Yasuko Okuwaki.
Saipan resident and Little Leaguer Matt Maeda defeated Chris Cajigan in the kids division while Rion Nawata and Kaito Kurokawa won third and fourth, respectively.
Matt’s brother, Hien Maeda, claimed the grommets (11-and-below) division title.
Winners received prizes from PIC-Saipan, Delta Air Lines, Pacific Trading Company, Triple J, PIC Boutiki, Hollywood Theaters, Borderline Surfshop, Cartel Bodyboards, Kreed Sunglasses, the Japan Flowriding Association, GIG Discothèque, and Thai Spa and Massage.
