A slight drop in swell didn't put a damper on performances at the Local Motion Surf Into Summer At Home In The Hawaiian Islands, first event of the 2024/2025 World Surf League (WSL) Hawaii/Tahiti Nui Qualifying Series (QS). Men's top seeds rounded out their debuts with powerful displays in the Round of 64, Heats 5 through 16 before the women made their outstanding debuts. Women's Round of 24 and Quarterfinal action lit up Ala Moana Bowls and now Finals Day is locked in. The Longboard Regional QS 1,000 was called OFF for the day with their event starting tomorrow, June 12.
The current Challenger Series No. 1 Erin Brooks started off on fire with two 9-point rides to earn the highest heat total of the event so far, an 18.25, in her Quarterfinal debut.
Erin Brooks' Unstoppable Form Carries Back to QS Competition
The women got their Ala Moana Bowls campaigns underway and the top seeds stole the show after early threats made their opening statements. Current Challenger Series rankings leader Erin Brooks can't stay away from the jersey and unleashed her world-class forehand in her Quarterfinal debut. Brooks' precision and power garnered a 9.25 (out of a possible 10) and 18.25 (out of a possible 20) heat total over former event victor Moana Jones Wong, who also advanced. Now, Brooks and Jones Wong look to continue their form into Finals Day.
"I came here just to score some fun waves at Bowls, it's so good," said Brooks. "I don't have to worry about points which is really nice and I can surf freely. Having two good results on the Challenger Series against all those really good girls and some of those girls are here so I know it's not going to be easy. I was really stoked to get to nines since the free surfs have been really crowded."
South Shore's own Vaihitimahana Inso made easy work of a lineup she knows like the palm of her hand to deliver a 17.35 heat total and move into the Semifinals.
Vaihitimahana Inso Decimates Her Debut at Home
- The South Shore's own Vaihitimahana Inso took over her home lineup in powerful form on her forehand attack. Inso's decimating power and timing on each critical section garnered a massive 17.35 heat total with all four of her waves going good to excellent, posting a 9.00 in the process. Now, Inso prepares for a big Finals Day when competition returns to the water in hopes of a QS win at home.
"It's the best feeling and I can't stop smiling," said Inso. "I'm at my home break, the waves are firing and it's like a little wave pool, and there's only three people out. It's like a dream come true. It feels good to get a better start than last year and losing in the first round so it's nice to make a heat. This definitely helps my confidence and I think just having a contest at home helps it that much more."
Also earning impressive Quarterfinal wins, Eweleiula Wong and Nora Liotta returned to form in Hawaiian waters with Semifinal appearances awaiting.
After a crazy start to the year including World Junior Championships runner-up, a wildcard into Pipeline, and the 2024 Challenger Series, Jackson Bunch is back in home waters and thriving with a 17.85 heat total.
Jackson Bunch Notches Best Performance So Far, Puts Field On Alert
Maui's World Junior Championships runner-up, Jackson Bunch stormed Ala Moana Bowls with his vicious forehand attack to garner an immaculate 17.85 heat total, the best performance in the Round of 64. Bunch returns to the QS following his second full-time year on the Challenger Series start and continues to showcase his potential.
"That was good, the waves were slow and wanted to get a couple warmup waves and just stoked to make it through the heat," said Bunch. "It's nice to be doing contests. We don't have too many here but it's nice to get as many heats as I can and eventually get me to the place I want to be. The waves are firing and it doesn't get any better when it's Bowls with just three other guys out."
Reigning Hawaii/Tahiti Nui QS Regional victor Shion Crawford wasted no time in his 2024/2025 debut to post an incredible17.80 heat total.
Shion Crawford Surges to Start Regional Title Defense
After a tough start to the 2023/2024 season at this event last year, Shion Crawford went on to claim his maiden QS Regional crown and came out firing at Ala Moana Bowls today. Crawford's sensational backhand attack led to an a decimating 17.80 heat total - including a near-perfect 9.05. The North Shore's newest threat to the world's elite is back in home waters after his start to the Challenger Series and is embracing it to the fullest.
"It was a pretty fun heat and just caught a couple good sets, did a couple turns and it was pretty fun," said Crawford. "I knew it was getting a little slower so I just tried to bank two good waves. I'm not really focused on Challenger Series while I'm home and just focused on this one right now. I want to have some fun in this event and do my best surfing in this event."
Makana Franzmann and Luke Tema couldn't be stopped in their respective Round of 64 showings, posting excellent 16-point heat plus heat totals. They join the likes of Thatcher Johnson, after a massive upset in a slow heat, Rylan Beavers, Shayden Pacarro, Eala Stewart, Oliver Zietz, Hauroa Maiotui, Barak Maor, and more into Finals Day.
Event organizers have called the Local Motion Surf Into Summer At Home In The Hawaiian Islands Longboard Regional Qualifying Series event ON for an 8:00 a.m. HST start. Two winners will be crowned along with Hawaii/Tahiti Nui Longboard Regional victors who will join the 2024 WSL Longboard Tour.
The men's and women's QS has been called OFF for tomorrow, June 12.
Day 1: Ala Moana Bowls Delivers Days of Days for Iconic Start
Some of the best conditions ever seen at the Local Motion Surf Into Summer At Home In The Hawaiian Islands, first event of the 2024/2025 World Surf League (WSL) Hawaii/Tahiti Nui Qualifying Series (QS), provided an opening day spectacle. The men's Round of 96 and Round of 64, Heats 1 - 4, ran in pumping, six-to-eight foot wave faces and dominant performances ensued. The women's QS and Longboard Regional QS 1,000 were called OFF for the day.
The North Shore standout Nalu Deodato came out firing in his debut to deliver a near-perfect 9.50 and secure his place into the Round of 32 in pumping Ala Moana Bowls.
Near-Perfection Courtesy of Nalu Deodato Sets the Standard
Top seeds reset the scale and Nalu Deodato led the surge with a near-perfect 9.50 (out of a possible 10) in his Round of 64, Heat 1 debut. Deodato's, 17, impeccable timing and commitment to each section put him a commanding lead to start the heat before finding his backup to all but secure a debut win. Now, the North Shore, Oahu, competitor has more work with the heats stacking up each new round.
"It's so fun even though it's a little hard, in between size, but when you find the one it's so perfect right now and I'm super stoked to get to the next round," said Deodato. "I had a couple big names in that heat so I was just stoked to do my surfing. I've been trying to stay mentally ready. I've had some trouble with heats in the past so I wanted to stay calm and just surf my best."
Brodi Sale Back in Hawaii Waters and Thriving
Big Island's top threat Brodi Sale made his presence known to surge in an excellent debut, posting a 16.20 (out of a possible 20) heat total. Sale's dynamic backhand surfing connected with hefty Bowls sections to find his form early on for a second straight year. Now, the 21-year-old returns to the QS to start a fresh season in hopes of surging forward and kicking off his year in a big way.
"That was perfect Bowls after I was watching for about an hour before my heat it was in between 'Big Bowl' and 'Middles' but in my heat it was just high enough tide," said Sale. "I could've had a nine that I fell on but I won't complain with two eights and my boards feel good, my mental is good, I'm stoked. We don't get too many events so any time in a jersey you have to make the most of it. I surfed the CT this year but I haven't surfed the regional events since Haliewa so it's good to have confirmation I'm doing all the right things."
Deodatu and Sale's fellow top-seeded competitors took control with Joshua Moniz, 15.00 heat total, and Robert Grilho, notching a 15.35 heat total, finished off opening day with a flurry of action in continued pulsing Ala Moana Bowls conditions.
The rising contender Luke Tema let the top seeds know he's not to be taken lightly and delivered an excellent, 16.15 heat total courtesy of an 8.50 hammer to surge into the Round of 64.
Excellent Heat Total From Luke Tema Puts Top Seeds on Alert
Emerging talent Luke Tema put the event on notice with an excellent 8.50, the highest single-wave score of the Round of 96, after delivering multiple critical maneuvers on a Ala Moana Bowls gem. The North Shore's own, Tema, has his eyes set on a bigger result and looks to carry this momentum into the top-seeded Round of 64 when competition resumes.
"That was the best QS heat of my life," said Tema. "Bowls delivered me another gem and I actually blew it. I got lipped on the drop, but I'll correct that mistake in the next round. It's just the first round so I won't get too ahead of myself or too excited. But the waves are firing so it's amazing."
Kauai's danger man showed he's up for the task, turning in an excellent 8.00 and charges into the top-seeded Round of 64.
A brilliant showing from Oliver Zietz and Hauroa Maiotui added their names to the list of opening day standouts, both accruing an excellent score and 15-point plus heat totals. Now, Zietz, Maiotui, and fellow Round of 96, Heats 5 - 16 competitors who advanced will match up with the Round of 64 top seeds awaiting to make their debuts.
Event organizers have called the Round of 64, Heat 5 of competition ON for an 8:00 a.m. HST start on Monday, June 10. Women's Round of 24 and Quarterfinals have also been called ON following men's action. Men's and women's longboard competition has been called OFF.
Dominant Performances Determine Finals Day Draw for Local Motion Surf Into Summer At Home In The Hawaiian Islands
Andrew Nichols
A slight drop in swell didn't put a damper on performances at the Local Motion Surf Into Summer At Home In The Hawaiian Islands, first event of the 2024/2025 World Surf League (WSL) Hawaii/Tahiti Nui Qualifying Series (QS). Men's top seeds rounded out their debuts with powerful displays in the Round of 64, Heats 5 through 16 before the women made their outstanding debuts. Women's Round of 24 and Quarterfinal action lit up Ala Moana Bowls and now Finals Day is locked in. The Longboard Regional QS 1,000 was called OFF for the day with their event starting tomorrow, June 12.
Erin Brooks' Unstoppable Form Carries Back to QS Competition
The women got their Ala Moana Bowls campaigns underway and the top seeds stole the show after early threats made their opening statements. Current Challenger Series rankings leader Erin Brooks can't stay away from the jersey and unleashed her world-class forehand in her Quarterfinal debut. Brooks' precision and power garnered a 9.25 (out of a possible 10) and 18.25 (out of a possible 20) heat total over former event victor Moana Jones Wong, who also advanced. Now, Brooks and Jones Wong look to continue their form into Finals Day.
"I came here just to score some fun waves at Bowls, it's so good," said Brooks. "I don't have to worry about points which is really nice and I can surf freely. Having two good results on the Challenger Series against all those really good girls and some of those girls are here so I know it's not going to be easy. I was really stoked to get to nines since the free surfs have been really crowded."
Vaihitimahana Inso Decimates Her Debut at Home
"It's the best feeling and I can't stop smiling," said Inso. "I'm at my home break, the waves are firing and it's like a little wave pool, and there's only three people out. It's like a dream come true. It feels good to get a better start than last year and losing in the first round so it's nice to make a heat. This definitely helps my confidence and I think just having a contest at home helps it that much more."
Also earning impressive Quarterfinal wins, Eweleiula Wong and Nora Liotta returned to form in Hawaiian waters with Semifinal appearances awaiting.
Jackson Bunch Notches Best Performance So Far, Puts Field On Alert
Maui's World Junior Championships runner-up, Jackson Bunch stormed Ala Moana Bowls with his vicious forehand attack to garner an immaculate 17.85 heat total, the best performance in the Round of 64. Bunch returns to the QS following his second full-time year on the Challenger Series start and continues to showcase his potential.
"That was good, the waves were slow and wanted to get a couple warmup waves and just stoked to make it through the heat," said Bunch. "It's nice to be doing contests. We don't have too many here but it's nice to get as many heats as I can and eventually get me to the place I want to be. The waves are firing and it doesn't get any better when it's Bowls with just three other guys out."
Shion Crawford Surges to Start Regional Title Defense
After a tough start to the 2023/2024 season at this event last year, Shion Crawford went on to claim his maiden QS Regional crown and came out firing at Ala Moana Bowls today. Crawford's sensational backhand attack led to an a decimating 17.80 heat total - including a near-perfect 9.05. The North Shore's newest threat to the world's elite is back in home waters after his start to the Challenger Series and is embracing it to the fullest.
"It was a pretty fun heat and just caught a couple good sets, did a couple turns and it was pretty fun," said Crawford. "I knew it was getting a little slower so I just tried to bank two good waves. I'm not really focused on Challenger Series while I'm home and just focused on this one right now. I want to have some fun in this event and do my best surfing in this event."
Makana Franzmann and Luke Tema couldn't be stopped in their respective Round of 64 showings, posting excellent 16-point heat plus heat totals. They join the likes of Thatcher Johnson, after a massive upset in a slow heat, Rylan Beavers, Shayden Pacarro, Eala Stewart, Oliver Zietz, Hauroa Maiotui, Barak Maor, and more into Finals Day.
Event organizers have called the Local Motion Surf Into Summer At Home In The Hawaiian Islands Longboard Regional Qualifying Series event ON for an 8:00 a.m. HST start. Two winners will be crowned along with Hawaii/Tahiti Nui Longboard Regional victors who will join the 2024 WSL Longboard Tour.
The men's and women's QS has been called OFF for tomorrow, June 12.
Day 1: Ala Moana Bowls Delivers Days of Days for Iconic Start
Some of the best conditions ever seen at the Local Motion Surf Into Summer At Home In The Hawaiian Islands, first event of the 2024/2025 World Surf League (WSL) Hawaii/Tahiti Nui Qualifying Series (QS), provided an opening day spectacle. The men's Round of 96 and Round of 64, Heats 1 - 4, ran in pumping, six-to-eight foot wave faces and dominant performances ensued. The women's QS and Longboard Regional QS 1,000 were called OFF for the day.
Near-Perfection Courtesy of Nalu Deodato Sets the Standard
Top seeds reset the scale and Nalu Deodato led the surge with a near-perfect 9.50 (out of a possible 10) in his Round of 64, Heat 1 debut. Deodato's, 17, impeccable timing and commitment to each section put him a commanding lead to start the heat before finding his backup to all but secure a debut win. Now, the North Shore, Oahu, competitor has more work with the heats stacking up each new round.
"It's so fun even though it's a little hard, in between size, but when you find the one it's so perfect right now and I'm super stoked to get to the next round," said Deodato. "I had a couple big names in that heat so I was just stoked to do my surfing. I've been trying to stay mentally ready. I've had some trouble with heats in the past so I wanted to stay calm and just surf my best."
Brodi Sale Back in Hawaii Waters and Thriving
Big Island's top threat Brodi Sale made his presence known to surge in an excellent debut, posting a 16.20 (out of a possible 20) heat total. Sale's dynamic backhand surfing connected with hefty Bowls sections to find his form early on for a second straight year. Now, the 21-year-old returns to the QS to start a fresh season in hopes of surging forward and kicking off his year in a big way.
"That was perfect Bowls after I was watching for about an hour before my heat it was in between 'Big Bowl' and 'Middles' but in my heat it was just high enough tide," said Sale. "I could've had a nine that I fell on but I won't complain with two eights and my boards feel good, my mental is good, I'm stoked. We don't get too many events so any time in a jersey you have to make the most of it. I surfed the CT this year but I haven't surfed the regional events since Haliewa so it's good to have confirmation I'm doing all the right things."
Deodatu and Sale's fellow top-seeded competitors took control with Joshua Moniz, 15.00 heat total, and Robert Grilho, notching a 15.35 heat total, finished off opening day with a flurry of action in continued pulsing Ala Moana Bowls conditions.
Excellent Heat Total From Luke Tema Puts Top Seeds on Alert
Emerging talent Luke Tema put the event on notice with an excellent 8.50, the highest single-wave score of the Round of 96, after delivering multiple critical maneuvers on a Ala Moana Bowls gem. The North Shore's own, Tema, has his eyes set on a bigger result and looks to carry this momentum into the top-seeded Round of 64 when competition resumes.
"That was the best QS heat of my life," said Tema. "Bowls delivered me another gem and I actually blew it. I got lipped on the drop, but I'll correct that mistake in the next round. It's just the first round so I won't get too ahead of myself or too excited. But the waves are firing so it's amazing."
A brilliant showing from Oliver Zietz and Hauroa Maiotui added their names to the list of opening day standouts, both accruing an excellent score and 15-point plus heat totals. Now, Zietz, Maiotui, and fellow Round of 96, Heats 5 - 16 competitors who advanced will match up with the Round of 64 top seeds awaiting to make their debuts.
Event organizers have called the Round of 64, Heat 5 of competition ON for an 8:00 a.m. HST start on Monday, June 10. Women's Round of 24 and Quarterfinals have also been called ON following men's action. Men's and women's longboard competition has been called OFF.
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