The 2014 Papara Pro Surf Festival finished on a high note with champions crowned across all three divisions in clean three foot (1 metre) surf. Mateia Hiquily (Tahiti) took out both the 1-Star ASP Qualifying Series division, and the Tahiti Nui Pro Junior and Sophia Bernard (Manly, NSW/AUS) won the Vahine Pro Junior.
Tahitians celebrating Michel Bourez winning the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro at the event site. - WSL / Will Hayden-Smith
Michel Bourez won the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro, and Mateia Hiquily won both men's events at the Papara Pro Surf Festival, capping off an epic 24 hours of surfing for Tahiti. Hiquily posted near-perfect scores all day by unloading powerful snaps and carves right in the power pocket of the waves. The young Tahitian stamped his authority on this event and became a hero to the local surf fans on the beach.
"This is the best day of my life!" Hiquily said. "I had so many bad results at the start of the year and now I have won two events. It feels so good to be at home and have the support of family and friends. I watched Michel (Bourez) win last night, and I couldn't sleep thinking about today. There were so many good local and Australian surfers in this event, I am so happy that I won. Today is a good day for me."
Sophia Bernard carving it up on her backhand. - WSL / Will Hayden-Smith
Sophia Bernard (Manly, NSW/AUS) didn't let a couple of days off competition slow her down, winning a very close Final over Karelle Poppke (PYF) - the form surfer of the 2014 Vahine Pro Junior. Bernard waited patiently for the best waves and used her smooth and powerful style to post some solid scores as she claimed her first ASP Australiasia Junior Qualifying Series win.
"I'm so excited to win my first pro junior event," Bernard said. "It's really special just being in Tahiti and enjoying good waves and great people. This has been the best week. When the siren sounded and I won, it felt like a dream. I was so overwhelmed with emotions in the best way possible."
Cooper Chapman finishing runner-up in the 1-Star QS division. - WSL / Will Hayden-Smith
Kalani Ball (South Coast, NSW/AUS) won through to his first ever Pro Junior event Final, but was forced to settle for 2nd place as he couldn't find the waves to match Hiquily. Ball has been one of the Tahiti Nui Pro Junior top performers all event, throwing down stylish carves and technical aerials seemingly with ease.
"I want to thank all the Aussie guys for helping me out, there has been some great Aussie spirit at this event," Ball said. "I am super stoked with second place, and I'm so happy for Mateia (Hiquily), he's been ripping all event and none of us could get near him."
ASP 1-STAR QS FINAL RESULT:
1st Mateia Hiquily (PYF) 18.80 def. 2nd Cooper Chapman (AUS) 15.75
ASP 1-STAR QS SEMIFINAL RESULTS:
SF 1: Cooper Chapman (AUS) 17.50 def. Hira Teriinatoofa (PYF) 13.10
SF 2: Mateia Hiquily (PYF) 15.35 def. Heifara Tahutini Jr (PYF) 3.50
TAHITI NUI PRO JUNIOR FINAL RESULT:
1st Mateia Hiquily (PYF) 18.10 def. 2nd Kalani Ball (AUS) 14.55
TAHITI NUI PRO JUNIOR SEMIFINAL RESULTS:
SF 1: Kalani Ball (AUS) 15.50 def. O'Neill Massin (PYF) 14.30
SF 2: Mateia Hiquily (PYF) 17.50 def. Keoni Yan (PYF) 12.75
VAHINE PRO JUNIOR FINAL RESULT:
1st Sophia Bernard (AUS) 14.75 def. 2nd Karelle Poppke (PYF) 14.10
VAHINE PRO JUNIOR SEMIFINAL RESULTS:
SF 1: Karelle Poppke (PYF) 11.75 def. Keely Andrew (AUS) 11.60
SF 2: Sophia Bernard (AUS) 9.35 def. Vahine Fierro (PYF) 4.75
For more information log on to papara.prosurfinglive.com
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Mateia Hiquily doing the Tahitians proud
- WSL / Will Hayden-Smith
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Sophia Bernard, first chair up the beach at an ASP Australasia JQS event
- WSL / Will Hayden-Smith
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Mateia Hiquily was lethal on the lefts
- WSL / Will Hayden-Smith
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Kalani Ball, runner-up at the Tahiti Nui Pro Junior
- WSL / Will Hayden-Smith
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2014 Papara Pro Surf Festival Champions Sophia Bernard and Mateia Hiquily
- WSL / Will Hayden-Smith
Champions Crowned at Papara Pro Surf Festival
WSL
The 2014 Papara Pro Surf Festival finished on a high note with champions crowned across all three divisions in clean three foot (1 metre) surf. Mateia Hiquily (Tahiti) took out both the 1-Star ASP Qualifying Series division, and the Tahiti Nui Pro Junior and Sophia Bernard (Manly, NSW/AUS) won the Vahine Pro Junior.
Michel Bourez won the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro, and Mateia Hiquily won both men's events at the Papara Pro Surf Festival, capping off an epic 24 hours of surfing for Tahiti. Hiquily posted near-perfect scores all day by unloading powerful snaps and carves right in the power pocket of the waves. The young Tahitian stamped his authority on this event and became a hero to the local surf fans on the beach.
"This is the best day of my life!" Hiquily said. "I had so many bad results at the start of the year and now I have won two events. It feels so good to be at home and have the support of family and friends. I watched Michel (Bourez) win last night, and I couldn't sleep thinking about today. There were so many good local and Australian surfers in this event, I am so happy that I won. Today is a good day for me."
Sophia Bernard (Manly, NSW/AUS) didn't let a couple of days off competition slow her down, winning a very close Final over Karelle Poppke (PYF) - the form surfer of the 2014 Vahine Pro Junior. Bernard waited patiently for the best waves and used her smooth and powerful style to post some solid scores as she claimed her first ASP Australiasia Junior Qualifying Series win.
"I'm so excited to win my first pro junior event," Bernard said. "It's really special just being in Tahiti and enjoying good waves and great people. This has been the best week. When the siren sounded and I won, it felt like a dream. I was so overwhelmed with emotions in the best way possible."
Kalani Ball (South Coast, NSW/AUS) won through to his first ever Pro Junior event Final, but was forced to settle for 2nd place as he couldn't find the waves to match Hiquily. Ball has been one of the Tahiti Nui Pro Junior top performers all event, throwing down stylish carves and technical aerials seemingly with ease.
"I want to thank all the Aussie guys for helping me out, there has been some great Aussie spirit at this event," Ball said. "I am super stoked with second place, and I'm so happy for Mateia (Hiquily), he's been ripping all event and none of us could get near him."
ASP 1-STAR QS FINAL RESULT: 1st Mateia Hiquily (PYF) 18.80 def. 2nd Cooper Chapman (AUS) 15.75
ASP 1-STAR QS SEMIFINAL RESULTS: SF 1: Cooper Chapman (AUS) 17.50 def. Hira Teriinatoofa (PYF) 13.10 SF 2: Mateia Hiquily (PYF) 15.35 def. Heifara Tahutini Jr (PYF) 3.50
TAHITI NUI PRO JUNIOR FINAL RESULT: 1st Mateia Hiquily (PYF) 18.10 def. 2nd Kalani Ball (AUS) 14.55
TAHITI NUI PRO JUNIOR SEMIFINAL RESULTS: SF 1: Kalani Ball (AUS) 15.50 def. O'Neill Massin (PYF) 14.30 SF 2: Mateia Hiquily (PYF) 17.50 def. Keoni Yan (PYF) 12.75
VAHINE PRO JUNIOR FINAL RESULT: 1st Sophia Bernard (AUS) 14.75 def. 2nd Karelle Poppke (PYF) 14.10
VAHINE PRO JUNIOR SEMIFINAL RESULTS: SF 1: Karelle Poppke (PYF) 11.75 def. Keely Andrew (AUS) 11.60 SF 2: Sophia Bernard (AUS) 9.35 def. Vahine Fierro (PYF) 4.75
For more information log on to papara.prosurfinglive.com
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