Gritty Day of Action Widdles Field Down to 8 Surfers

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Action got back in the water for Rounds 2 and 3 of the World Surf League (WSL) men’s Qualifying Series (QS) Air Tahiti Rangiroa Pro QS 1,000 to determine an exciting finals day draw. Competitors had a lay day yesterday due to unfavorable winds and a drop in swell, but picked up right where they left off despite smaller, clean two-to-three foot (.5 - 1 meter) surf. The stage is set for a decisive finals day where a new event victor will be crowned and 1,000 points toward their 2019 season.

Oahu, Hawaii,’s own Noa Mizuno came into this event as the No. 1 seeded surfer and has proven that in the water with three heat wins to his name in Rangiroa. The 20-year-old showcased a dominant backhand attack in his Round 2 and Round 3 bouts along with his patience -- earning the heat-winning 6.67 (out of a possible 10) on his final wave. Mizuno's patience proved the difference maker as he now looks to secure a big result.

“It’s tough out there and I think we got a really good window on the first day, but it deteriorated a bit unfortunately,” Mizuno said. “I just try to enjoy myself. It’s tricky, but there’s plenty of waves like this back home so I try and visualize surfing back there. This already feels like home though and I’m comfortable here, it’s a pretty stress-free lifestyle. I was hunting waves like I normally do, but I knew if I was patient the waves would come which they did at the end.”

Tyler Newton (HAW) looked unstoppable once more with two massive victories heading into the Quarterfinals. The Kauai, Hawaii, native posted the event’s highest heat total so far, a 15.43 (out of a possible 20) in Round 3 during a battle with Marco Mignot (FRA) for top honors -- including an excellent, meaning an 8.00 or higher, 8.10. But, the work is not done yet for Newton as he sets his ambitions much higher.

“I was just being patient and wasn’t going on too many waves that didn’t look like they had potential,” Newton said. “I think I’ve made the Quarterfinals once before in Northern Baja, but I want to keep it going. There’s always the little things to work on. I got a little too excited on a few waves, but I like starting strong which I did in both of my heats today. If I can just find those strong starts and find excellent scores that’s all I can do.”

One of the day's biggest spoilers belonged to fellow Kauaian Kainehe Hunt after a brilliant display in Round 3 ousted the remaining Tahitians Turo Ariitu and Mauiki Raioha. The 17-year-old continues to find his footing on the QS and is well on his way into the Quarterfinals alongside young, Maui, Hawaii, phenom Eli Hanneman.

"This isn't the furthest I've gone, but it's up there with one of my best performances and I'm just trying to stay consistent," Hunt said. "You treat every heat like it's the first one and come in with the right game plan. Being taller out here actually helps a little bit because when you're caught inside on the reef, you can jump over the oncoming wave (laughs). But it also helps with carrying some power through my turns just having some extra weight."

Also into the Quarterfinals, Hawaii is well-represented with Robert Grilho, Chris Foster, and Gavin Gillette all vying for the 2019 Air Tahiti Rangiroa Pro title.

"I just wanted to do this, really, for myself, I’ve been at it for a while now and I’ve had a bad streak,” Foster said. “Hopefully I’ve got all the bad stuff away and all the good can come now. I'm just trying to stay positive most of the time. Everyone in this contest is really good and I finally got a little lucky so now I just want to keep that roll going. "