Keala Tomoda-Bannert Wins 2023 U.S. Air Force Super Girl Surf Pro

Today, Keala Tomoda-Bannert emerged victorious at the World Surf League (WSL) U.S. Air Force Super Girl Surf Pro, a North America and Hawaii/Tahiti co-sanctioned Qualifying Series (QS) 3,000, after an incredible run through Finasl Day. A building nor'easter provided big moments that Tomoda-Bannert was able to capitalize and surge through Finals Day atop the podium after besting Nora Liotta in all-Hawaii Final. With her result, Tomoda-Bannert claimed the 2023/2024 Hawaii/Tahiti Nui QS Regional title and, for Liotta, the Maui competitor currently sits at No. 3 and is in a qualification spot for the 2024 Challenger Series heading into the final event of the season.

Tomoda-Bannert's form through Finals Day was undeniable and kickstarted the Final over Liotta with an excellent 8.00 (out of a possible 10) within the first five minutes. Liotta was able to answer with a 5.67 of her own to stay within grasp of Tomoda-Bannert, who accrued a 12.67 heat total at the 25-minute mark. But, Tomoda-Bannert wasn't done and found a near-perfect 9.00 for the event's highest heat total, a 17.00 (out of a possible 20). Tomoda-Bannert's performance was insurmountable for Liotta as time expired and Tomoda-Bannert claimed her maiden Super Girl Pro cape.

"I finally did it, I'm just beyond stoked right now and to have my best friend right here with me I couldn't have waited for a more perfect time," said Tomoda-Bannert. "This year I just wanted to be number one in the Hawaii region and I guess I achieved that so I'm stoked. [For all the girls] I think just keep on doing it. There's a lot of failure that comes with it, when you keep on going, you finally get it."

Tomoda-Bannert's win achieved her goal of winning the Hawaii/Tahiti Nui QS Regional title. - WSL / Ivy Scott

Tomoda-Bannert looked unstoppable on Finals Day, overpowering perennial North America threat Leilani McGonagle in the Round of 16 and continuing her strong form against new North America No. 1 Zoe Benedetto in a Quarterfinal clash. A rematch of the 2018 World Junior Championships unfolded between Tomoda-Bannert and in the Semifinals with Tomoda-Bannert getting one back on Pinkerton. The Kauaian's 9.00 was also a Finals Day best, earning her the U.S. Air Force Take Flight award.

Tomoda-Bannert holds firm at No. 1 heading into the final event of the Hawaii/Tahiti Nui season and clinched the 2023/2024 Hawaii/Tahiti Nui QS Regional title with her result in Jacksonville Beach.

Liotta's current form pushed her to No. 2 on the rankings and now finds herself within 2024 Challenger Series qualification. - WSL / Ivy Scott

Liotta entered the U.S. Air Force Super Girl Surf Pro fresh off a win in Sunset Beach and continued that momentum straight into another Semifinal appearance. The Maui competitor, Liotta, took on Florida's own Kylie Pulciniin the Round of 16 before facing Jacksonville Beach's hometown hero Lanea Mons in their Quarterfinal clash. Liotta then had to overcome Finals Day threat Eweleiula Wong before challenging Tomoda-Bannert in the Final.

Liotta now prepares to hold her spot within 2024 Challenger Series qualification heading into the final event of the season at Haleiwa.

"This is so exciting and I defintely couldn't envision back-to-back Finals just with some of the seasons I've had and a lot of losses," said Liotta. "It's a lot of learning and I'm realy grateful. I always imagined doing these things and it's really surrel to be doing what I've seen myself doing. I'm really excited for the Haleiwa contest and hopefully there's waves because I love that wave so much."

Kirra Pinkerton matched her season best of a Semifinal appearance in great form. - WSL / Ivy Scott

Noteworthy Finishes for Kirra Pinkerton and Eweleiula Wong Strengthen 2024 Challenger Series Qualification Hopes

Pinkerton began her Finals Day surge with a dynamic showing against 2023 Challenger Series standout, Bella Kenworthy, in their Round of 16 bout before taking down young phenom, recent Saquarema Corona Pro winner, Erin Brooks in Quarterfinal battle. However, an in-form Tomoda-Bannert overtook Pinkerton in their Semifinal clash. This marks Pinkerton's second Semifinal appearance of the 2023/2024 season and moves to No. 2 on the North America rankings.

Eweleiula Wong made her presence known with multiple excellent scores on Finals Day. - WSL / Ivy Scott

Wong accrued the day's highest, single-wave scores throughout the day, earning an 8.33 in the Round of 16 against Vela Mattive and then another excellent 8.50 in the Quarterfinals over former Championship Tour (CT) competitor Chelsea Tuach. But, fellow Hawaii/Tahiti Nui standout, Liotta, put a stop to Wong's dream run as she now looks to secure her place among Challenger Series qualifiers.

The North America contingent now prepare for the O'Neill Cold Water Classic beginning November 15 - 19.

The Hawaii/Tahiti Nui women head into their final event of the 2023/2024 season at The Hawaiian Islands HIC Haleiwa Pro beginning November 26 - December 7.

Top Seeds Take Control, Finals Day Ready

Finals Day awaits the World Surf League (WSL) U.S. Air Force Super Girl Surf Pro, a North America and Hawaii/Tahiti co-sanctioned Qualifying Series (QS) 3,000, after a pivotal day of competition in two-foot, building conditions. Top seeds made their highly-anticipated debuts in the Round of 64 before battling in the Round of 32 in its entirety to set up an all-important Finals Day.

Floridian Zoe Benedetto unleashed her powerful form to accrue a 9.00 (out of a possible 10) and Round of 32 best, 15.67 (out of a possible 20) heat total and surged toward Finals Day. Benedetto's 2022 run at this event was cut short and now the current North America No. 2 looks to surpass Sawyer Lindblad on the rankings here in Jacksonville Beach. The 18-year-old's appearance on the Challenger Series in 2023 has the emerging threat wanting rejoin the elite contenders.

"I feel like the conditions were changing right before my heat which always gets me a little anxious," said Benedetto. "I wanted to stick with what I've been riding and it felt good so I was stoked to get a good one out of the way. I'm always nervous competing here, it's near home but I feel more pressure at home so it just felt nice to connect on a wave and try to do that tomorrow."

Current Hawaii/Tahiti Nui No. 1 Keala Tomoda-Bannert put on a showcase in challenging conditions to earn a near-perfect 9.67 (out of a possible 10). Tomoda-Bannert debuted with a Round of 64 victory before overpowering her way into Finals Day. Now, the Kauaian competitor looks to keep pushing the pace on the rankings and close out her East Coast run with another big result.

"I definitely didn't go out there thinking I was going to drop a 9-point ride and I was just surviving out there," said Tomoda-Bannert. "But, my game plan went the right way and stoked to move the next round. I feel like this year, not doing the Challenger Series, I worked on myself mentally and physically and went into every contest this year with the mindset of winning."

Former Championship Tour (CT) competitor and perennial North America QS threat, Chelsea Tuach, utilized her ability to find scoring potential amid and delivered a 14.60 heat total. The Barbados competitor looks to find herself atop the rankings to requalify for the Challenger Series in 2024 and knows the importance of a big result at a QS 3,000 toward that goal.

"There's waves out there and luckily I found one that went all the way to the inside and I was so determined to finish it," said Tuach. "It's so nice to come back here each year, it's such good energy. The young girls with the Super Girl capes running around, the girls in the water competing, we're all so happy and everyone who helps with this event are happy and make us feel really special. I'm happy to keep it going into tomorrow and see where we can go from there."

Emerging competitor Alana Lopez took full advantage of the improved, late afternoon conditions in her Round of 32, Heat 7, bout and earned an excellent 8.83. Lopez, overtook recent Sunset Pro victor Nora Liotta, who also advanced, and in-form competitors Vaihitimahana Inso and Ava Wagester, and continues to showcase her rising potential among the QS contingent at a young age and looks for more heading into Finals Day.

"I can't believe I made it here, I'm so happy," said Lopez. "Thank you to my mom and dad, they've been supporting me from day one. My dad's my biggest coach and inspiration watching him do what he did growing up I've just always wanted to do it. This is one of the best events ever, it's so much fun and definitely [recommend to the younger girls] to get into it."

Also notching all-important Round of 16 wins, Bella Kenworthy, Eweleiula Wong, Kohai Fierro, and Kylie Pulcini move into Finals Day looking for a major result.

Event organizers will reconvene at 7:30 a.m. EST for a possible 8:00 a.m. EST start.

Watch LIVE

The Air Force Super Girl Surf Pro will run November 10 - 12 and be streamed live November 11 and 12 at WorldSurfLeague.com, the free WSL App, and WSL Youtube channel.

Rising Talents Shine on Opening Day

Opening day at the World Surf League (WSL) U.S. Air Force Super Girl Surf Pro, a North America and Hawaii/Tahiti Nui co-sanctioned Qualifying Series (QS) 3,000, unfolded with emerging threats making their presence known among QS contingent. Two-foot, clean conditions provided moments of opportunity for competitors to capitalize on and make their moves in the Round of 96, which finished in its entirety. Now, the stage is set for top-seeded competitors to debut and put opening day standouts to the test.

Sara Freyre (USA) all smiles following a big debut heat win. - WSL / Andrew Nichols

Huntington Beach, California's, Sara Freyre took control of her Round of 96 debut, earning an impressive 14.16 (out of a possible 20) on a dominant backhand attack. Freyre continues to find her form in WSL events this season, earning a Quarterfinal to start the 2023/2024 year before putting on a showcase at the Wallex US Open of Surfing among Challenger Series contenders, and now looks for more on the East Coast.

"I think it's really great that they have this Super Girl event to show these little girls that they can surf too and it's super exciting to see," said Freyre. "I was super stoked to find a few good lefts and get some combinations on just with it being a lot of one-turn waves. Doing all the events, it's a big learning process and being able to travel is such a great experience."

Daya McCart (USA) right at home and in rhythm in Florida waters. - WSL / Ivy Scott

Florida's own Daya McCart found her rhythm right away, earning a 7.50 (out of a possible 10) utilizing her priority on a running lefthand gem with multiple backhand maneuvers. The Indialantic, Florida, competitor is right at home with her family support system to back her and looks for a solid result to further her young career.

"That left was so fun and it just kept coming so that was a fun heat," said McCart. "It feels good to get a good start like that and hopefully I can keep building from it. To have my family is amazing and it's great to have their support here. I'm really looking forward to tomorrow."

Carlsbad, California's, Reid Van Wagoner (USA) returns to the Super Girl away from home and in form. - WSL / Ivy Scott

Growing up watching the Super Girl Pro series in her backyard of Oceanside, California, Reid Van Wagoner continues to find her footing in events and showcased her capabilities in challenging, late morning conditions. Van Wagoner eyes down her first major result among the QS contenders and looks to build upon her solid, 7.33 and 12.60 heat total moving forward into the Round of 64.

"It was kind of hard to find the right one, but once you found that little wedge it was really good," said Wagoner. "This is so amazing seeing all the girls come together at one contest. It's sunny, it's warm, you can't ask for much more. Every contest is a learning process for me and last year was a tougher year for me so I'm stoked to keep progressing and getting better at a higher level."

Adding their name to the top-seeded, Round of 64, Mathea Dempfle-Olin, Keanna Miller, Kaydn Persidok, Zoey Kaina, Victoria Duprat, Mya Kuzmovich, Brynn Gallagher, Auburn Hilley, Bailey Turner, Alana Lopez, and

The Moore Aloha Foundation returned to Jacksonville Beach with five-time WSL Champion Carissa Moore continuing to inspire the next generation. - WSL / Andrew Nichols

Five-time WSL Champion Carissa Moore brought her Moore Aloha Foundation back to Jacksonville Beach to share the aloha and inspire young women. These events and programs focus on using sport, mentorship, and the Aloha way of life to promote mindfulness, physical and emotional wellness, a deeper sense of community, and environmental responsibility for girls and women. From future competitors to young women making a difference in their communities, the Moore Aloha Foundation continues to encourage their efforts and joined with Surfrider Foundation for a beach cleanup, a surf session following competition, and more.

Event organizers will reconvene at 7:30 a.m. EST for a possible 8:00 a.m. EST start.

Watch LIVE

The Air Force Super Girl Surf Pro will run November 10 - 12 and be streamed live November 11 and 12 at WorldSurfLeague.com, the free WSL App, and WSL Youtube channel.

For more information on the event, visit www.SuperGirlJax.com.