Local Surfer Wins Prestigious Kiteboarding Event in N.C.

Mark Miedama Jr., a 2010 graduate of Ocean City High School, surprised the field at the recent Triple-S Kiteboarding Invitational on Cape Hatteras in North Carolina.

As a wild-card entry, Miedama defeated some of the top pros from around the world in the surf division of the Triple-S (which also includes "slicks" on flat water and "sliders" on ramps and rails in the water).

The surf division was a natural for Miedama, who grew up on the water as a member of the OCHS surf team and a five-year kiteboarder. Miedama's father, Mark Sr., is coach of the high school team and a teacher at the Intermediate School.

When he's not studying civil engineering at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA, Miedama is continuing to "live the dream"—logging as much time as possible on the water.

He's on Nantucket Island in Massachusetts for the summer teaching sailing. Miedama is a member of the ODU sailing team.

And because the best kiteboarding conditions are so different from the best surfing conditions, Miedama says he can double the potential fun.

"I get the best of both worlds," he said.

Miedama said he has no immediate plans to compete in kiteboarding again—"just the Triple S next year."

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Check out video from this year's Triple-S Surf Division: vimeo.com/24922543
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