When you visit our website, we store cookies on your browser to collect information. The information collected might relate to you, your preferences or your device, and is mostly used to make the site work as you expect it to and to provide a more personalized web experience. However, you can choose not to allow certain types of cookies, which may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer. Click on the different category headings to find out more and change our default settings according to your preference.
These cookies are essential to enable user movement across our website and for providing access to features such as your profile. These cookies cannot be disabled. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information and cannot be used for marketing purposes.
These cookies allow us to analyze visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site and enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers, such as Google Analytics, whose services we have added to our pages. Information collected through these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies then some or all of these services may not function properly and/or we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance.
These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies then some or all of these services may not function properly.
These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts or content. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.
These cookies are set by a range of social media services that we have added to the site to enable you to share our content with your friends and networks. They are capable of tracking your browser across other sites and building up a profile of your interests. This may impact the content and messages you see on other websites you visit. If you do not allow these cookies you may not be able to use or see these sharing tools.
Aritz Aranburu Wins Billabong Pro Tahiti Trials
WSL
The Billabong Pro Tahiti Trials are easily surfing's toughest qualifying lap. On Tuesday, 16 of the best local Tahitians battled it out with 16 international surfers today for a single wildcard spot in the main event. There were gnarled veterans, up-and-coming freesurfing freaks and some of the biggest superstars of the sport all battling in the Teahupo'o gladiator pit for a single golden ticket.
The Semifinals pitted Taumata Puhetini vs. Nathan Hedge and Koa Smith vs. Aritz Aranburu. But in the end, it came down to the two men from across the world, former Championship Tour surfers Aranburu vs. Hedge. And even then, it was close. The final score was Hedge's 13.33 to Aranburu's 13.43, making for a nail-biter of a finish. With his win, Aranburu, from Basque country, will go up against the Top 32 when the Billabong Pro Tahiti kicks off Friday.
Each CT event tends to have a Trials competition and because the prize is potentially life-changing and the chances of winning so slim, that they all tend to come with their own fair share of drama. However it's a safe bet to say that none can match the potential excitement that the Billabong Pro Tahiti Trials offer.
Jack Robinson is at home in the Teahupo'o barrel. - WSLHere are some of the other strong contenders who were expected to put on solid performances Tuesday:
From the locals, perennial contenders Taumata Puhetini, Hira Teriinatoofa and Heiarii Williams were in the mix. The three have all surfed in the main event before and know what it takes to win the Trials. They also know that no Tahitian has ever won the Billabong Pro Tahiti (Manoa Drollet's runner-up finish in 2008 is the best result to date), and that they are the best bets for a historical local win.
On the international side Billabong provided a slew of phenomenal young talent. Jack Robinson was an obvious pick based on his past few seasons as a freesurfing standout at Chopes. Hawaiian teenagers Seth Moniz and Finn McGill, fresh from breakout Pipeline winters, were also potential standouts. Finally, 2016 CT surfer Ryan Callinan brought some experience and electricity to the mix.
Seth Moniz' Pipeline background will help in Tahiti. - WSL / Brenden DonahueHowever, it's the WSL's own picks that rounded out one of the most talented fields seen for any Trials event, heck, any event, full stop. There was previous Billabong Pro Tahiti winner Bruno Santos, a runner-up in Nathan Hedge, plus former Trials victor Anthony Walsh. Those three goofyfooters all have the ability and experience to have made it into the main event.
Sprinkle some CT experience in with Basque charger Aritz Aranburu (who defeated Kelly Slater here in 2009), and then add some Hawaiian magic in Mason Ho and Koa Rothman, and this isn't so much about depth of field, as a focal range extending far into the slabosphere.
It's a surfing competition that on its generated huge levels of expectation for any surf fan. The only thing guaranteed is that the eventual winner had his Billabong Pro Tahiti chances forged in hot fire. Aranburu could go all the way.
Mason Ho
A man who needs no introduction from small wave fun to maxing Pipeline sat down to chat about the best wave he's seen at Pipeline.
World-class reef break is back for 2023, Hawaii/Tahiti Nui Men's Qualifying Series conclusion locked in.
The destination lineup of Rangiroa returns to the QS to provide one last opportunity for regional competitors to claim their 2023
Check out the full event pres. by First Hawaiian Bank and Mastercard recap with some of the event's best performances.
Good news for surf fans as the world's favorite free-surfer is competing in the Challenger Series.
Billabong Pro Tahiti
On August 10, the Tour pulls into one of the most remarkable waves on the planet.
Top scores and waves from 2017.
Top 2017 waves from the champ.
Highlights from the leader.