Walsh dominates at Sunset Beach

Ian Walsh’s surfing was on point from day one of the HIC Pro at Sunset Beach this week.

The Hawaii surfer adjusted to every condition the ocean could throw at him. From big and gnarly to high performance and perfect he became one with the waves, earning the top heat total four of the five times he hit the water to win the event for the first time in a decade.

With Walsh known for his big wave prowess, it was no surprise to see his brand of power surfing go hand in hand with the big walls of Sunset. The swells on the final day brought 6- to 8-foot surf.

Walsh was joined by fellow Hawaii surfers Billy Kemper and Kaito Kino, along with a lone Australian, Jack Robinson.

Walsh opened the heat with a cracker of a set in the first minute of the final. He started off with a big layback snap, followed by a gouging turn in the pocket, and ended it with a stylish carve good for a 9.33 (out of 10). Kino and Kemper quickly followed with solid rides of their own. Kino dropped a 6.67 and Kemper a 7.17 for some committed power surfing.

While Robinson had yet to catch a wave, Walsh caught another high-scoring ride good for seven points about six minutes in. From then on it was lights out for the rest of the competitors. Kemper made a late charge, but Walsh’s early scores were never topped. As the horn sounded an elated Walsh fist-pumped in the water and was soon chaired up the beach by fellow finalist and friend Kemper along with Joel Centeio.

"It’s challenging out there just because it’s a big spread-out lineup and not too many sets, so a lot of that was luck and a little bit of positioning and I am happy it played out, " Walsh said. "It has been everything, as Sunset usually is. It’s a big variety of surf and I am just really psyched right now. I am beyond elated to hold this thing high 10 years later."

With his win Walsh moves past Centeio into first position in the World Surfing League Hawaii ratings, giving him a high seed into the upcoming Reef Hawaiian Pro at Haleiwa. If Walsh does well he could see himself in the entire Triple Crown of Surfing.

"To win the Triple Crown (of Surfing) is hard to even put into words with that field," Walsh said. "Growing up in Hawaii, that’s similar to a world title for us and a lot of traveling surfers that come and visit, but with all the past champions Andy (Irons), Sunny (Garcia), the Ho brothers and everyone else who is on that long list, it’s an inspiring one, so to even be in conversations about possibly winning is an honor."