Mahina Maeda won the Samsung Galaxy Hainan Pro at a lefthand point break today in Wanning, Hainan, China. The Samsung Galaxy Hainan Pro is the first women’s qualifying series event of 2015.

The 16-year-old from Hawaii sent a warning shot to the rest of the world’s best surfers. Her solid 9.00 ride stole the win after falling behind in the all goofy-footer final.

"It feels incredible to win the first event of the season," Maeda said. "I really didn’t have high expectations about the surf before I came here, but it turned out to be really good and even one of the best waves we have on the women’s qualifying series. I finished 16th or 17th on the qualifying series last year and only did half the events. This year I really want to qualify and be the youngest surfer on the World Championship Tour next year."

Paige Hareb finished second to Maeda in a tight final only decided by 0.40 of a point.

“I never really thought I’d make the Final and here I am — I’ll take second for sure,” Hareb said. “Getting knocked off the World Championship Tour last year fired me up."