The Tahitian youth squad feels right at home in Hawaii.
The HTA Haleʻiwa Pro continues this Friday on Oahu’s North Shore, where many of the best Hawaiian surfers are on hand, from Kai Lenny to Billy Kemper, including Barron Mamiya. Facing such a level, the Tahitians are trying to carve out a place among the top surfers of the Hawaii/Tahiti Nui region.
On the men’s side, the day has been challenging, with the elimination of Tikanui Smith and Peio Charriaud. They join Keo Chabrier, Eimeo Czermak, and the young prodigy from Faa’a, Tauirai Henriou Oopa, who were ousted in the first round. The Tahitian clan no longer has a representative in the men’s draw.
On the women’s side, however, nearly all indicators are positive. Although Mikilani Pinson has exited the competition, Takihei Ellacott and Raipoe Chapelier have secured their qualification for the quarterfinals. They will meet Kiara Goold, already qualified, in that round. The three Tahitian surfers will be in the same heat, facing the Hawaiian Vaihitimahana Inso. A heat that guarantees at least one Tahitian woman will advance to the semifinals.
Miliani Simon, for her part, will face a formidable challenge. She will be pitted against three Hawaiian surfers: Moana Jones Wong, Brenice Alama, and Zoe McDougall. One of the surfers she had already defeated in the Sunset Pro HTA semifinal, and she will meet her again for a forthcoming rematch.
Sunset Beach and Haleʻiwa are two of the three iconic spots on Oahu’s North Shore, linked to the famous Triple Crown of Surfing. Historically, competitions held at Haleʻiwa, Sunset Beach, and Pipeline formed the three landmarks of this prestigious series, created in 1983. The Hawaiian Pro, the World Cup of Surfing, and the Pipeline Masters long defined the closing period of professional surfing.
The calendar has since evolved. The HTA Sunset Pro and the HTA Haleʻiwa Pro are now stages of the Hawai’i/Tahiti Nui regional qualifying circuit. Pipeline retains its major role in the competition calendar: the venue will host from December 8 to 20, 2026 the Lexus Pipe Masters, which will be the final event of the Championship Tour (CT) and the decisive test for the world titles.
