High scores were the norm Friday in the Reef Hawaiian Pro at Haleiwa Beach Park.
Free-surfing star Dane Reynolds won his heat and was impressive with his power surfing. It was Reynolds’ first competition since his second-place finish at the Quicksilver Pro in France in October.
"I like the waves here in Hawaii," Reynolds said. "I enjoy coming here every year and riding bigger boards. This place (Haleiwa) is definitely one of my favorites."
The waves were in the 4- to 6-foot range with occasional 8-footers.
Reynolds received a 7.33 (out of 10) on one of his waves that included an insane layback turn, and he advanced to the round of 64.
Ewa Beach’s Keanu Asing, who sits in 50th place in one world ranking, won his heat Friday to advance. With solid results at Haleiwa and Sunset (the first two events of the Vans Triple Crown) he could qualify for the Association of Surfing Professionals World Tour next year.
"I only had a 4.5 and a 5, so it’s not the best heat, but it got the job done," Asing said.
Kauai’s Gavin Gillette kept his contest title hopes alive by winning his heat.
"I knew it was going to be a hard heat," he said. "My strategy was to get busy and catch a lot of waves, because when I lose I find that I am too picky and that becomes my downfall."
Hawaii’s Torrey Meister received the event’s only 10 so far for getting barreled twice on one wave, including one that was incredibly deep. He didn’t get a back-up score and failed to advance.
Hawaii’s Sunny Garcia, who will compete in the Reef Hawaiian Pro, beat Mark Occhilupo, Kaipo Jaquias and Tom Curren in the first of three heats in the Clash of the Legends side contest. Curren is a three-time world champion, and Occhilupo and Garcia won one world title each.
The contest continues today. Eleven-time world champion Kelly Slater and defending Triple Crown champ John John Florence will compete.