LASERENA MEDIA
Kauai's Alex Smith won his heat on Thursday at Sunset Beach with a combined two-wave score of 15.60.
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Day 2 of the HIC Pro Sunset went off at Sunset Beach on Thursday in some solid surf at a spot known for some of the trickiest waves on tour.
Mililani’s Kekoa Bacalso, 28, was one of the day’s standouts, winning his heat with a power brand of surfing.
His style suits Sunset Beach perfectly, where he has made five semifinals on the tour.
"Making my heat in the first event of the winter surf season felt awesome," Bacalso said. "Sunset was firing and it felt really good to get some waves. It was kind of nerve-racking because I have not surfed a contest since February. I am just trying to do good in the event and qualify for the Triple Crown."
Honolulu’s Isaiah Moniz powered through his heat with some polished and aggressive backhand surfing.
"I just sat way up the point," Moniz said. "I just got a couple of those perfect little runners. I was doing my own thing and I had my own rhythm going so it was all good. I just felt good and wanted to get good waves."
Maui’s Tai Van Dyke also advanced, making it through as an alternate. The 40-year-old Van Dyke is known for his heavy back foot and his good-natured attitude.
"The contest was full so I was 30th alternate and they made an extra round and I ended up getting in," Van Dyke said. "For me it’s just a bonus to get to surf in the event. It’s really important for the locals to get into the quarters or better to qualify for the triple crown."
Keoni Yan, an 18-year-old from Tahiti, advanced in his first professional event in Hawaii, finishing second in his heat to eliminate former HIC Pro champion Hank Gaskell, of Maui, and Myles Padaca, a former Triple Crown champion.