At Home In The Hawaiian Islands

• Former CT Standout Zietz Finds Near-Perfection, Decimates Debut With Best Performance
• Braye Brings The Heat With Excellent Showing
• Hanneman, Apo, Swanson, Bediamol And More Add Their Name To Excellent List In Debuts

ALA MOANA BOWLS, Oahu, Hawaii (Tuesday, June 13, 2023) – 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.

“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 (PYF) (shown above) 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 (HAW) and Robert Grilho III (HAW) 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 (HAW) 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 (HAW) 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 (HAW) notched an excellent showing in his debut as he is joins those awaiting their Round of 64 bouts such as Shayden Pacarro (HAW), Tony Nunez (HAW), Gavin Klein (HAW), and more who all took big wins in their opening debuts.

CLICK HERE FOR DAY 2 RESULTS 

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.