Today, Keala Tomoda-Bannert and Keanu Asing claimed wins at the Local Motion Surf Into Summer At Home In The Hawaiian Islands, a Qualifying Series (QS) 1,000 and Longboard Regional Qualifying Series (LQS). This marked Tomoda-Bannert's first-ever QS victory before Asing's win brought the event title back to the South Shore where he grew up. Now, both lead the Hawaii/Tahiti Nui QS rankings to start the 2023/24 season after showcasing their ability to win under pressure.
The Kauai, Hawaii, competitor earned her first-ever QS win at Ala Moana Bowls over a formidable field with a 7.50 in the final minutes.
Hawaii/Tahiti Nui's top regional contenders all clashed in the Final featuring 2022/23 Hawaii/Tahiti Nui QS Regional Champion Moana Jones Wong, No. 2 Puamakamae DeSoto, No. 3 Eweleiula Wong, and former Challenger Series competitor Keala Tomoda-Bannert. A slow start to the Final witnessed Tomoda-Bannert earn an early lead, but Eweleiula Wong responded with a solid 6.27 (out of a possible 10) and added a 6.70 to establish a solid lead. Tomoda-Bannert wasn't done and answered with a 6.70 of her own before heading into the final minutes, delivering a 7.50 under pressure and turned in her maiden QS victory.
"It definitely feels like that was overdue, but I woke up today and thought it's time to get my first one," said Tomoda-Bannert. "It was a stacked Final, all the girls are so amazing and I knew it was going to be a big heat. It was super slow, but I was able to manage to pull off a couple scores. I'm not doing the Challenger Series this year so it was a slow start, but now having this under my belt I feels really good and hopefully have the momentum from this win into the next regional contest."
Tomoda-Bannert's Finals Day run began with one of the day's best performances, garnering a 16.94 (out of a possible 20) heat total in the Semifinals ahead of eventual runner-up Wong. The former World Junior Championships Runner-Up, Tomoda-Bannert now moves into the 2023/24 Hawaii/Tahiti Nui season as the No. 1 and looks to get back among the world's top contenders on the Challenger Series.
South Shore's own Keanu Asing brought out his world-class backhand attack to post a near-perfect 9.00 and 17.17 heat total in the Final.
An all-star men's field came down to Keanu Asing, Isaiah Moniz, Kai Martin, and Robert Grilho in a heavy-hitting Final. South Shore's own Asing kicked off his Final with an excellent 8.17 as Moniz garnered a 7.37 right behind him. Martin and Grilho put their name in the mix before a lull forced Asing to wait for another moment to strike as Moniz took a slim lead with Asing being put in fourth-place. But, Bowls delivered one more opportunity and Asing didn't disappoint with his world-class backhand attack to earn a near-perfect 9.00 and claim a big win in home waters with a 17.17 heat total.
"I was bummed I didn't get to last year and this year I made it a point to be here, this is a special event," said Asing. "Being a part of Local Motion for 20 years I never made the Final [for the QS], but I've always loved this wave and it was great to get going on my backhand again. It was perfect Bowls, really fun, tough competition and just had to make sure I was on the right waves. Just understanding that I know how to win and putting that forward, and being on the right waves was a difficult task with the competitors we had at hand with Championship Tour guys, up-and-coming Challenger Series guys, and it was just a special moment to have this event."
Asing's charge to the Final began with a tough Round of 32 bout he emerged unscathed from before turning it on in the Quarterfinals and Semifinals, earning excellent 16.66 heat total in the Semifinals. The former Championship Tour (CT) competitor looks to continue his success into the Challenger Series which gets back underway at the upcoming Ballito Pro.
2022/23 Hawaii/Tahiti Nui No. 3 Eweleiula Wong (HAW) starts the year with a runner-up after putting on a backhand attack showcase. - WSL / Tony Heff
After a stunning 2022/23 QS season, Eweleiula Wong breakthrough sent her among the Challenger Series elite for 2023 and brought that confidence back with her to this event. Wong's Quarterfinal win set her up for a big Semifinal clash, advancing behind Tomoda-Bannert, before finishing short of the eventual victor once again. Now, Wong prepares for her return to the Challenger Series at the Ballito Pro.
"I'm excited to get the first event done and get a runner-up. It's good to come home and reset before going to South Africa and get an event under my belt. My goal is to keep doing the QS this year and also keep going with the Challenger, and it's good to have this as a backup in case I don't make it through Challenger. But, I'm really excited for what's to come and enjoy some time at home."
For not being a full-time competitor, Isaiah Moniz (HAW) turned it on throughout the event to deliver a runner-up performance. - WSL / Tony Heff
The Moniz family is a household name in surfing and Isaiah Moniz carried that weight in terrific fashion, charging through competition to earn his way into the Final and finish runner-up. While Moniz doesn't compete on a regular basis, his ability to thrive under pressure and not let opportunities pass him by in heats was a driving force in his success this week at Ala Moana Bowls - a wave all too familiar with him.
"It was fun, but honestly I give it up to all the guys who do this professionally, it was wild," said Moniz. "I did enjoy it but it was tough. Emotions were all over and I felt like I got lucky in a lot of heats, and to think how these guys do it on the big stage, my hat is off to them. There was a bit of pressure with all my friends and family here (laughs). I surf here all the time, but no one's there just to watch me and just had all the thoughts going through my head. But, it jut seemed like a lot of things went my way and I'm stoked on how it all worked out.
Moana Jones Wong nearly made her goal of back-to-back wins a reality, but fell just short as she now turns her focus back to the Challenger Series in Ballito. - WSL / Tony Heff
Also notching major Final appearances, reigning Hawaii/Tahiti Nui QS Regional Champion and event victor Moana Jones Wong and Challenger Series contender Puamakamae DeSoto kick off their season with a third and fourth-place, respectively, to kick off their seasons.
Robert Grilho's career-best result included multiple big heat wins over some of Hawaii's most notable names. - WSL / Tony Heff
For the men, third-place for Robert Grilho marked a career-best finish on the QS and Kai Martin returned to the Final for a second-consecutive showing in impressive form throughout the day - earning multiple excellent scores along the way.
Near-Perfection and Shakeups Set Up Finals Day
An all-important Finals Day now awaits the Local Motion Surf Into Summer At Home In The Hawaiian Islands, a Qualifying Series (QS) 1,000 and Longboard Regional Qualifying (LQS) 1,000, after more dominant displays of power and progression continued in two-to-three foot, pristine conditions that grew tougher in afternoon winds. Now the men's Round of 32 and women's Semifinalists are locked in to battle it out for the respective event titles with some of the region's best stacked against each other.
It's been since 2018 that Summer Ivy put on a QS jersey and did not disappoint with a 15.00 heat total.
Making her presence known in the jersey, Summer Ivy delivered an impeccable performance in her first event since 2018 and dropped a 15.00 (out of a possible 20) heat total to march toward the Semifinals. Ivy's formidable forehand earned an excellent 8.00 (out of a possible 10) after she delivered in her debut heat to advance through. Now, she prepares for a big Finals Day.
"It was a little windy in the afternoon and I was kind of bummed, but happy to put a couple waves together," said Ivy. "I haven't competed in a long time so it was a little shocking, but I'm happy to be here and surf with only four girls out at Bowls. I'm just looking to trying my best and having fun, but having fun is definitely my goal."
The 2022/23 Hawaii/Tahiti QS Regional Champion Moana Jones Wong looks to go back-to-back at Ala Moana Bowls and started in convincing form.
Reigning Hawaii/Tahiti Nui QS Regional Champion, and reigning event victor, Moana Jones Wongput on another showcase in her return to Ala Moana Bowls. Accruing a solid 7.17 in tough afternoon conditions, Jones Wong looks to go back-to-back and kickoff both her regional title and event title defense in winning form.
"I'm super stoked to be back at Bowls, it's one of my favorite waves," said Jones Wong. "It was inconsistent and grindy out there, but I got the job done and made it to the Semifinals. Hopefully I can make it all the way to the Final again and repeat what I did last year, and also see the waves start pulsing again."
Also, fellow Challenger Series contenders Puamakamae DeSotoand Eweleiula Wong also stormed their way into the Semifinals to start their seasons in strong form with decisive heat wins.
The 2022/23 standout Shion Crawford put the event on notice with a near-perfect 9.67 and 18.44 heat total in his Ala Moana Bowls return.
Haleiwa, Oahu's Shion Crawford wasted no time getting his 2023/24 QS season underway in decimating form. Crawford's excellent opening scores totaled a 16.34 before using his patience heading into the final minutes and unleashed his backhand attack, utilizing his progression and power, to post a near-perfect 9.67. But, the emerging talent knows the work is far from done and has his goals set after returning from the Challenger Series.
"I'm just wanting to keep the ball rolling after last year I started really good and then ended pretty bad so I just wanted to start good and finish strong," said Crawford. "I didn't really surf my best in the Challenger Series, but I'm stoked I get to do this QS event and show my surfing. Bowls is such a rippable wave and I'm stoked to get a few."
The Tahitian Mihimana Braye is feeling right at home and delivered a near-perfect 9.33 as he continues to surge into the Round of 32.
An unstoppable Mihimana Braye continued his surge in the top-seeded Round of 64 with a near-perfect 9.33 to start over one of the event favorites Keanu Asing. Braye's 7.73 backup left Asing and fellow competitors battling for second, secured by Asing in the final moments, as the Tahitian's flourishing form takes him back into the Round of 32. The Challenger Series contender is looking for a big result, returning to the Hawaii/Tahiti Nui region, and find a consecutive regional Finals.
"It would be really good to be in the Final and I'm looking to win this thing," said Braye. "But, it's heat by heat and I'm just trying to have fun. I'm feeling confident, my boards and everything is good and just trying to keep the momentum. My goal is to win the region this year and it's just step by step to get there."
Also notching excellent showings in their debuts, former Championship Tour (CT) competitor Imaikalani deVault, regional standouts Brodi Sale, Finn McGill, Kala Willard, and MaiKai Burdine all earned eight-point rides or higher. They join the likes of Sheldon Paishon, Kai Martin, Logan Bediamol, Kylen Yamakawa, and Philippe Chagas, eliminating reigning Hawaii/Tahiti Nui QS Regional Champion Jackson Bunch, into Finals Day among more.
Event organizers have called Finals Day ON for a 7:30 a.m. HST start, Thursday, June 15, 2023.
High-Performance Clashes Take Over Local Motion Surf Into Summer At Home In The Hawaiian Islands
A full display of high-performance surfing took center stage at the Local Motion Surf Into Summer At Home In The Hawaiian Islands, a Qualifying Series (QS) 1,000 and Longboard Regional Qualifying Series (LQS) 1,000, following opening day's masterful longboard showings from the region's top competitors. Hawaii/Tahiti Nui's top regional competitors started their 2023/24 QS season today in two-to-three foot, clean swell pulsing into Ala Moana Bowls' pristine lineup.
Sebastian Zietz, calm, cool, and collect in a brilliant return to the jersey. - WSL / Tony Heff
A dream day at Ala Moana Bowls ended with a clash of top-tier talents featuring former Championship Tour (CT) standout Sebastian Zietz, Challenger Series contender Joshua Moniz, regional threat Kekoa Cazimero, and Round of 96 victor Eala Stewart. The clash didn't disappoint with a near-perfect, barrel-to-multiple backhand blows from Zietz as he posted the event's top single-wave score of a 9.83 (out of a possible 10) and heat total, a near-perfect 18.00 (out of a possible 20). A battle for the advancing spot ensued with Cazimero earning his way alongside Zietz into the Round of 32 after a last-minute exchange with Moniz.
"We were all pretty deep and they ended up boxing each other out being too deep, and I was kind of thinking if a big set came it would come wide," said Zietz. "I played the game and saw that wave come, and just darted wide and found myself in a perfect little barrel that let me out to do a bunch of fun turns. It's super fun, I'm not trying to qualify or anything, just enjoying time with my family and wanting to show my girls that dad can still surf (laughs)."
Mihimana Braye turned it on in his debut to set himself up for a Round of 64 battle. - WSL / Tony Heff
But, it was Mihimana Braye who put on an incredible showing, utilizing his dynamic forehand to post a dominant 16.70 heat total. The Tahitian competes out of the European region, but finished the Hawaii/Tahiti Nui season right at home with a runner-up in Rangiroa before taking to the Challenger Series. Now, Braye brings that confidence and what he's learned to some of Hawaii/Tahiti Nui's top-tier competitors, looking to stay busy in the jersey on his way back to Tahiti.
"I have some confidence just from training so hard and being on the Challenger Series going against guys, and trying to qualify, but the level of surfing here is so good as well," said Braye. "I just have to stay focused on my game and keep working on what I've been doing since Rangiroa. This wave makes me feel at home growing up on lefthand reefs and it makes a big difference to have a QS on such a world-class wave."
Kaulana Apo put on a high-performance showcase in his debut, and backed it up with a Round of 64 win. - WSL / Tony Heff
One of the South Shore's own Kaulana Apo dismantled his debut with an excellent 16.17 heat total and then continued that form alongside top-seeded competitors Luke Tema and Robert Grilho in the Round of 64. Apo's dangerous forehand pushed him into the Round of 32 as the recognized Pipeline charger has more in his arsenal than just death-defying barrel riding.
"Getting two heat wins gets out the nerves, it's been awhile since I've done a QS event like this at a high-performance wave," said Apo. "It comes down to each individual surfing their best and not just being in the perfect spot like Pipeline, and I actually really enjoy this a lot more just for that aspect. A lot of the guys I've grown up with are out here and it's cool to see that we're just older, some of us have gone to the big leagues, but I feel like I just want to show I can surf with these guys."
Eli Hanneman is back for more after his 2022 victory and started in excellent form. - WSL / Tony Heff
Reigning event victor Eli Hanneman made easy work of his debut, accruing an excellent 8.00 and surging into the Round of 32. The Maui competitor returns from his first two events as a full-time Challenger Series contender and now looks to add another Ala Moana Bowls title to his name.
"I just try to stay in rhythm every heat, that's always goal and I was able to do it in that heat so I'm stoked on that," said Hanneman. "There's only three other guys out at Bowls which is just a dream. It's not a super user-friendly wave with the crowd usually so when you get an opportunity like this it's amazing."
Also, North Shore, Oahu, standout Luke Swanson notched a brilliant 8.83 to add his name to the excellent list as he looks to kick off his campaign in big form. Hanneman's fellow Maui competitor Logan Bediamol notched an excellent showing in his debut as he is joins those awaiting their Round of 64 bouts such as Shayden Pacarro, Tony Nunez, Gavin Klein, and more who all took big wins in their opening debuts.
Event organizers have called day three of competition ON for an 8:00 a.m. HST start, beginning with men's Round of 64, Heat 5, before women make their debuts.
The Local Motion Surf Into Summer At Home In The Hawaiian Islands will run on the best four days of the event window running June 12 - 19 at Ala Moana Bowls, Oahu, Hawaii.
Keala Tomoda-Bannert and Keanu Asing Victorious At Local Motion Surf Into Summer At Home In The Hawaiian Islands
Andrew Nichols
Today, Keala Tomoda-Bannert and Keanu Asing claimed wins at the Local Motion Surf Into Summer At Home In The Hawaiian Islands, a Qualifying Series (QS) 1,000 and Longboard Regional Qualifying Series (LQS). This marked Tomoda-Bannert's first-ever QS victory before Asing's win brought the event title back to the South Shore where he grew up. Now, both lead the Hawaii/Tahiti Nui QS rankings to start the 2023/24 season after showcasing their ability to win under pressure.
Hawaii/Tahiti Nui's top regional contenders all clashed in the Final featuring 2022/23 Hawaii/Tahiti Nui QS Regional Champion Moana Jones Wong, No. 2 Puamakamae DeSoto, No. 3 Eweleiula Wong, and former Challenger Series competitor Keala Tomoda-Bannert. A slow start to the Final witnessed Tomoda-Bannert earn an early lead, but Eweleiula Wong responded with a solid 6.27 (out of a possible 10) and added a 6.70 to establish a solid lead. Tomoda-Bannert wasn't done and answered with a 6.70 of her own before heading into the final minutes, delivering a 7.50 under pressure and turned in her maiden QS victory.
"It definitely feels like that was overdue, but I woke up today and thought it's time to get my first one," said Tomoda-Bannert. "It was a stacked Final, all the girls are so amazing and I knew it was going to be a big heat. It was super slow, but I was able to manage to pull off a couple scores. I'm not doing the Challenger Series this year so it was a slow start, but now having this under my belt I feels really good and hopefully have the momentum from this win into the next regional contest."
Tomoda-Bannert's Finals Day run began with one of the day's best performances, garnering a 16.94 (out of a possible 20) heat total in the Semifinals ahead of eventual runner-up Wong. The former World Junior Championships Runner-Up, Tomoda-Bannert now moves into the 2023/24 Hawaii/Tahiti Nui season as the No. 1 and looks to get back among the world's top contenders on the Challenger Series.
An all-star men's field came down to Keanu Asing, Isaiah Moniz, Kai Martin, and Robert Grilho in a heavy-hitting Final. South Shore's own Asing kicked off his Final with an excellent 8.17 as Moniz garnered a 7.37 right behind him. Martin and Grilho put their name in the mix before a lull forced Asing to wait for another moment to strike as Moniz took a slim lead with Asing being put in fourth-place. But, Bowls delivered one more opportunity and Asing didn't disappoint with his world-class backhand attack to earn a near-perfect 9.00 and claim a big win in home waters with a 17.17 heat total.
"I was bummed I didn't get to last year and this year I made it a point to be here, this is a special event," said Asing. "Being a part of Local Motion for 20 years I never made the Final [for the QS], but I've always loved this wave and it was great to get going on my backhand again. It was perfect Bowls, really fun, tough competition and just had to make sure I was on the right waves. Just understanding that I know how to win and putting that forward, and being on the right waves was a difficult task with the competitors we had at hand with Championship Tour guys, up-and-coming Challenger Series guys, and it was just a special moment to have this event."
Asing's charge to the Final began with a tough Round of 32 bout he emerged unscathed from before turning it on in the Quarterfinals and Semifinals, earning excellent 16.66 heat total in the Semifinals. The former Championship Tour (CT) competitor looks to continue his success into the Challenger Series which gets back underway at the upcoming Ballito Pro.
After a stunning 2022/23 QS season, Eweleiula Wong breakthrough sent her among the Challenger Series elite for 2023 and brought that confidence back with her to this event. Wong's Quarterfinal win set her up for a big Semifinal clash, advancing behind Tomoda-Bannert, before finishing short of the eventual victor once again. Now, Wong prepares for her return to the Challenger Series at the Ballito Pro.
"I'm excited to get the first event done and get a runner-up. It's good to come home and reset before going to South Africa and get an event under my belt. My goal is to keep doing the QS this year and also keep going with the Challenger, and it's good to have this as a backup in case I don't make it through Challenger. But, I'm really excited for what's to come and enjoy some time at home."
The Moniz family is a household name in surfing and Isaiah Moniz carried that weight in terrific fashion, charging through competition to earn his way into the Final and finish runner-up. While Moniz doesn't compete on a regular basis, his ability to thrive under pressure and not let opportunities pass him by in heats was a driving force in his success this week at Ala Moana Bowls - a wave all too familiar with him.
"It was fun, but honestly I give it up to all the guys who do this professionally, it was wild," said Moniz. "I did enjoy it but it was tough. Emotions were all over and I felt like I got lucky in a lot of heats, and to think how these guys do it on the big stage, my hat is off to them. There was a bit of pressure with all my friends and family here (laughs). I surf here all the time, but no one's there just to watch me and just had all the thoughts going through my head. But, it jut seemed like a lot of things went my way and I'm stoked on how it all worked out.
Also notching major Final appearances, reigning Hawaii/Tahiti Nui QS Regional Champion and event victor Moana Jones Wong and Challenger Series contender Puamakamae DeSoto kick off their season with a third and fourth-place, respectively, to kick off their seasons.
For the men, third-place for Robert Grilho marked a career-best finish on the QS and Kai Martin returned to the Final for a second-consecutive showing in impressive form throughout the day - earning multiple excellent scores along the way.
Near-Perfection and Shakeups Set Up Finals Day
An all-important Finals Day now awaits the Local Motion Surf Into Summer At Home In The Hawaiian Islands, a Qualifying Series (QS) 1,000 and Longboard Regional Qualifying (LQS) 1,000, after more dominant displays of power and progression continued in two-to-three foot, pristine conditions that grew tougher in afternoon winds. Now the men's Round of 32 and women's Semifinalists are locked in to battle it out for the respective event titles with some of the region's best stacked against each other.
Making her presence known in the jersey, Summer Ivy delivered an impeccable performance in her first event since 2018 and dropped a 15.00 (out of a possible 20) heat total to march toward the Semifinals. Ivy's formidable forehand earned an excellent 8.00 (out of a possible 10) after she delivered in her debut heat to advance through. Now, she prepares for a big Finals Day.
"It was a little windy in the afternoon and I was kind of bummed, but happy to put a couple waves together," said Ivy. "I haven't competed in a long time so it was a little shocking, but I'm happy to be here and surf with only four girls out at Bowls. I'm just looking to trying my best and having fun, but having fun is definitely my goal."
Reigning Hawaii/Tahiti Nui QS Regional Champion, and reigning event victor, Moana Jones Wongput on another showcase in her return to Ala Moana Bowls. Accruing a solid 7.17 in tough afternoon conditions, Jones Wong looks to go back-to-back and kickoff both her regional title and event title defense in winning form.
"I'm super stoked to be back at Bowls, it's one of my favorite waves," said Jones Wong. "It was inconsistent and grindy out there, but I got the job done and made it to the Semifinals. Hopefully I can make it all the way to the Final again and repeat what I did last year, and also see the waves start pulsing again."
Also, fellow Challenger Series contenders Puamakamae DeSotoand Eweleiula Wong also stormed their way into the Semifinals to start their seasons in strong form with decisive heat wins.
Haleiwa, Oahu's Shion Crawford wasted no time getting his 2023/24 QS season underway in decimating form. Crawford's excellent opening scores totaled a 16.34 before using his patience heading into the final minutes and unleashed his backhand attack, utilizing his progression and power, to post a near-perfect 9.67. But, the emerging talent knows the work is far from done and has his goals set after returning from the Challenger Series.
"I'm just wanting to keep the ball rolling after last year I started really good and then ended pretty bad so I just wanted to start good and finish strong," said Crawford. "I didn't really surf my best in the Challenger Series, but I'm stoked I get to do this QS event and show my surfing. Bowls is such a rippable wave and I'm stoked to get a few."
An unstoppable Mihimana Braye continued his surge in the top-seeded Round of 64 with a near-perfect 9.33 to start over one of the event favorites Keanu Asing. Braye's 7.73 backup left Asing and fellow competitors battling for second, secured by Asing in the final moments, as the Tahitian's flourishing form takes him back into the Round of 32. The Challenger Series contender is looking for a big result, returning to the Hawaii/Tahiti Nui region, and find a consecutive regional Finals.
"It would be really good to be in the Final and I'm looking to win this thing," said Braye. "But, it's heat by heat and I'm just trying to have fun. I'm feeling confident, my boards and everything is good and just trying to keep the momentum. My goal is to win the region this year and it's just step by step to get there."
Also notching excellent showings in their debuts, former Championship Tour (CT) competitor Imaikalani deVault, regional standouts Brodi Sale, Finn McGill, Kala Willard, and MaiKai Burdine all earned eight-point rides or higher. They join the likes of Sheldon Paishon, Kai Martin, Logan Bediamol, Kylen Yamakawa, and Philippe Chagas, eliminating reigning Hawaii/Tahiti Nui QS Regional Champion Jackson Bunch, into Finals Day among more.
Event organizers have called Finals Day ON for a 7:30 a.m. HST start, Thursday, June 15, 2023.
High-Performance Clashes Take Over Local Motion Surf Into Summer At Home In The Hawaiian Islands
A full display of high-performance surfing took center stage at the Local Motion Surf Into Summer At Home In The Hawaiian Islands, a Qualifying Series (QS) 1,000 and Longboard Regional Qualifying Series (LQS) 1,000, following opening day's masterful longboard showings from the region's top competitors. Hawaii/Tahiti Nui's top regional competitors started their 2023/24 QS season today in two-to-three foot, clean swell pulsing into Ala Moana Bowls' pristine lineup.
A dream day at Ala Moana Bowls ended with a clash of top-tier talents featuring former Championship Tour (CT) standout Sebastian Zietz, Challenger Series contender Joshua Moniz, regional threat Kekoa Cazimero, and Round of 96 victor Eala Stewart. The clash didn't disappoint with a near-perfect, barrel-to-multiple backhand blows from Zietz as he posted the event's top single-wave score of a 9.83 (out of a possible 10) and heat total, a near-perfect 18.00 (out of a possible 20). A battle for the advancing spot ensued with Cazimero earning his way alongside Zietz into the Round of 32 after a last-minute exchange with Moniz.
"We were all pretty deep and they ended up boxing each other out being too deep, and I was kind of thinking if a big set came it would come wide," said Zietz. "I played the game and saw that wave come, and just darted wide and found myself in a perfect little barrel that let me out to do a bunch of fun turns. It's super fun, I'm not trying to qualify or anything, just enjoying time with my family and wanting to show my girls that dad can still surf (laughs)."
But, it was Mihimana Braye who put on an incredible showing, utilizing his dynamic forehand to post a dominant 16.70 heat total. The Tahitian competes out of the European region, but finished the Hawaii/Tahiti Nui season right at home with a runner-up in Rangiroa before taking to the Challenger Series. Now, Braye brings that confidence and what he's learned to some of Hawaii/Tahiti Nui's top-tier competitors, looking to stay busy in the jersey on his way back to Tahiti.
"I have some confidence just from training so hard and being on the Challenger Series going against guys, and trying to qualify, but the level of surfing here is so good as well," said Braye. "I just have to stay focused on my game and keep working on what I've been doing since Rangiroa. This wave makes me feel at home growing up on lefthand reefs and it makes a big difference to have a QS on such a world-class wave."
One of the South Shore's own Kaulana Apo dismantled his debut with an excellent 16.17 heat total and then continued that form alongside top-seeded competitors Luke Tema and Robert Grilho in the Round of 64. Apo's dangerous forehand pushed him into the Round of 32 as the recognized Pipeline charger has more in his arsenal than just death-defying barrel riding.
"Getting two heat wins gets out the nerves, it's been awhile since I've done a QS event like this at a high-performance wave," said Apo. "It comes down to each individual surfing their best and not just being in the perfect spot like Pipeline, and I actually really enjoy this a lot more just for that aspect. A lot of the guys I've grown up with are out here and it's cool to see that we're just older, some of us have gone to the big leagues, but I feel like I just want to show I can surf with these guys."
Reigning event victor Eli Hanneman made easy work of his debut, accruing an excellent 8.00 and surging into the Round of 32. The Maui competitor returns from his first two events as a full-time Challenger Series contender and now looks to add another Ala Moana Bowls title to his name.
"I just try to stay in rhythm every heat, that's always goal and I was able to do it in that heat so I'm stoked on that," said Hanneman. "There's only three other guys out at Bowls which is just a dream. It's not a super user-friendly wave with the crowd usually so when you get an opportunity like this it's amazing."
Also, North Shore, Oahu, standout Luke Swanson notched a brilliant 8.83 to add his name to the excellent list as he looks to kick off his campaign in big form. Hanneman's fellow Maui competitor Logan Bediamol notched an excellent showing in his debut as he is joins those awaiting their Round of 64 bouts such as Shayden Pacarro, Tony Nunez, Gavin Klein, and more who all took big wins in their opening debuts.
Event organizers have called day three of competition ON for an 8:00 a.m. HST start, beginning with men's Round of 64, Heat 5, before women make their debuts.
The Local Motion Surf Into Summer At Home In The Hawaiian Islands will run on the best four days of the event window running June 12 - 19 at Ala Moana Bowls, Oahu, Hawaii.
Summer Ivy
It's been since 2018 that Summer Ivy put on a QS jersey and did not disappoint with a 15.00 heat total.
The red-hot kid from Hawaii nabs his second Junior victory in January, while Gabriela Bryan Earns her Maiden Junior win.
WSL Hawaii/Tahiti Nui and Hurley Surf Club teamed up to offer a development day for surfers
Hawaii/Tahiti Nui
With only minutes remaining, Maui's own Jackson Bunch turned in a clutch performance to turn the heat and claim his second-career QS
The young phenom Erin Brooks added another illustrious win to her growing resume and secured spot into the Sambazon World Junior
The former CT elite Luana Silva decimated her Quarterfinal debut, earning an excellent 16.50 heat total in the process.
Maui's leading woman Nora Liotta started off her Haleiwa surge with a solid 15.10 heat total and is pressure-free in the last event of the
Oahu's own Joshua Moniz turnedd in an impressive 14.85 heat total in his Haleiwa debut and remains hungry for a big result to catapult up