Maui Surfers Triumph in Recent Tahitian Competitions

March 17, 2016, 3:45 PM HST
* Updated March 17, 3:56 PM

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During a recent run of World Surf League events that took place over the week in Tahiti, French Polynesia, Maui surfers triumphed with victory in both the Pro and Jr. Pro categories.

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Kai Mana Henry dominated the Rangiroa Open Pro – the first international WSL Qualifying Series 1,000 event in Rangiroa, Tahiti. The 37-year-old surfer was in fine form the entire event using his powerful Hawaiian style surfing techniques to conquer the rest of the competitive field for a final win against Oʻahu’s young future star, Finn McGill.

Kai Mana stated about the win, “It feels amazing. I wasn’t expecting anything coming into this and I think that attitude got me through, so I just stuck with it and whatever happened, happened. It all fell into place, stoked.” He was awarded with a winning prize purse of $2,000.

In addition to Kai Mana winning the prestigious Pro event, Maui’s own junior competitors Noah Hill and Summer Macedo recently conquered the international field of competitors at the Papara Pro Surf Tahiti Junior Pro.

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Both Hill and Macedo proved to have the right techniques at the Papara beach break, which they say resembled their hometown wave of Ironwoods on the Westside of Maui. The two showed strong keen awareness to the punchy beach break and managed to shine their talents to the top of the podium.

Kai Mana Henry (right) wins first-ever International QS In Rangiroa. Also pictured here: Finn McGill (left). Photo credit: World Surf League.

Kai Mana Henry. Photo credit: World Surf League.

Kai Mana Henry shows the shaka. Photo credit: World Surf League.

Securing the scores for a first-place finish. Photo credit: World Surf League

Finalists of the Papara Pro Surf Tahiti Juniors divisions, L to R: Vahine Fierro (Women’s runner up), Summer Macedo (1st), Noah Hill (1st), Eliott Napias (Men’s runner up). Image: WSL/Rolland