HALEIWA, Oahu, Hawaii (Tuesday, November 26, 2024) - Today, Sive Jarrard (ASM) and Kai Sallas (HAW) earned momentous wins at the World Surf League (WSL) The Hawaiian Islands HIC Haleiwa Pro Longboard, a men's and women's Longboard Regional Qualifying Series (LQS) 1000, in solid, three-to-four-foot conditions at Haleiwa's beautiful lineup. A pristine morning gave way to rising winds, but Jarrard and Sallas were unphased in their poise and style to storm through a marathon Finals Day. Plus, Jarrard's victory and Micah Desoto's (HAW) results earned them places onto the 2025 WSL Longboard Tour.
Sive Jarrard Rejoins the WSL Longboard Tour with Massive Victory
A dream year for recent WSL Longboard Tour rookie Sive Jarrard (ASM) ended with a maiden WSL victory in Haleiwa and pushed her toward WSL Longboard Tour requalification.
The women's Final featured Jarrard alongside event standouts Sophia Culhane (HAW), Cash Hoover (USA), and Luluhia Blomfield Kane (HAW) going for the inaugural event title. Jarrard opened up the battle with a solid 6.50 (out of a possible 10) as the first score of consequence before Culhane answered back with a 6.25 following Jarrard's backup that extended her lead. Multiple exchanges witnessed Kane get into the heat before Hoover found a 6.10 and held firm in second-place. Then, under the five-minute mark, Jarrard found an afternoon gem to hold her noseride across a lengthy section before taking to turns and posted a heat-best, 7.50 to all but secure her first-ever WSL victory.
"I don't really know what's going through my head other than that this was God's plan. All I'm doing is following him and he led me here so I feel blessed," said Jarrard. "I can't believe this happened. I just want to thank my family for always supporting me. I was a little surprised just after my first heat I was a little all over the place and trying to figure it out. I think I just really connected with the ocean and it felt good."
Sive Jarrard (ASM) was in-form from start to finish on Finals Day for an incredible, first WSL win. - WSL / Tony Heff
After winning her Quarterfinal heat, Jarrard earned runner-up to Hoover in the Semifinals and secured her place back among the world's best in 2025 following that result before earning the Hawaii/Tahiti Nui Longboard Regional victory with her incredible win today.
"I can't believe I requalified. It was my goal coming here and to do it is amazing," continued Jarrard. "I feel good and I feel blessed. Now I'll just see where it takes me."
Kai Sallas adds Haleiwa to a Running List of Iconic Wins
2023 WSL Longboard Champion, 2024 World Longboard Title runner-up, Kai Sallas (HAW) continues to find success at all levels of WSL competition and now claims a The Hawaiian Islands HIC Haleiwa Pro Longboard title to his career. Sallas' form was undeniable and carried that momentum all the way to the Final, earning three-consecutive Final appearances on the Regional Longboard QS.
The men's Final featured a heavily-contested field including Sallas, 2024 WSL Longboard Tour No. 3 John Michael Van Hohenstein (HAW), and veteran competitors Nelson Ahina III (HAW) and Scotty Fong Jr (HAW). Sallas started the heat right off the horn with an excellent 8.40 to set the tone and the scale in the Final bout. The former WSL Longboard Champion showed his knowledge and quickly backed it up with 6.00 to jump ahead of the pack. But, Ahina III and Hohenstein both found good scores of their alongside Fong Jr.'s 6.50 to stay in the heat. A vital exchanged past the halfway mark witnessed a flurry of incredible nose-riding and powerful carves in the critical sections Haleiwa had to offer with Sallas, Ahina III, and Hohenstein trading off waves.
Sallas' near-perfect 9.25 pushed his heat total to an event-best 17.65 (out of a possible 20) with Ahina III's 8.80 following suit. But, no more excellent opportunities rose and Sallas emerged victorious.
"That was so fun and this event for some reason brought out all the older guys. Bonga (Gregory Perkins), Kanoa (Dahlin), Nelson, Scotty Fong - those are all guys I used to compete with," said Sallas. "We used to have really good heats back as far as I can remember. Big thanks to WSL and HIC for throwing another regional event so we can get some more Hawaiians on Tour and this spot was perfect for it."
The win also adds another Hawaii/Tahiti Nui Longboard Regional victory to Sallas' esteemed career as he looks to rejoin the world's best in 2025 after his runner-up to the World Title in 2024.
"They called it on for a perfect day for longboarding so it was great. Anytime you can win an event or make some heats you really boost your confidence," added Sallas. "I'm feeling good and looking forward to the Longboard Tour next year to go compete again and represent Hawaii."
Teenager Cash Hoover (HAW) continues to show she's a growing threat with multiple Final appearances in her young career. - WSL / Tony Heff
Brilliant Runner-up Finishes for Cash Hoover and Nelson Ahina III
One of the youngest competitors Cash Hoover (USA) showed she's ready to keep challenging some of the region's best in both North America and Hawaii/Tahiti Nui. Hoover, now surfing out of the North America region, styled her way to a second-career WSL Final and a third Finals Day showing after a blistering Semifinal victory. The teenager finished 5th on the North America rankings and showed her talents on the wave she grew up competing at.
"I'm so happy. It felt so good since I just got fifth in the North America region after just switching, it felt good to make another Final," said Hoover. "This is my second Final and to get second-place just feels so good. It reminded me of doing all the menehune events here. This was the first place I competed when I was four so to make a WSL Final here is amazing."
From style to power, Nelson Ahina III (HAW) put it all on the line toward a runner-up finish. - WSL / Tony Heff
One of the event's top performers, Nelson Ahina III (HAW) surged toward the Final after making a highly-anticipated return to the jersey. Ahina III's formidable power and style were on full display in his Semifinal breakthrough, posting a 9.00 before excelling in the Final behind an unstoppable Sallas. For Ahina III, it was all for the fun and love of sharing the water in an event once more with all smiles to finish the day.
"That was amazing and my mindset was not on competing but just to enjoy the day and enjoy the wave," said Ahina III. "It was way better for me that way and I loved watching everyone surf. It motivated me a lot. When I saw Haleiwa come on the schedule I was going to be here no matter what it takes. I appreciate the WSL and all the sponsors running this event and the butterflies never change. Just seeing those guys and getting in the zone each heat, it was a great day."
Micah DeSoto held as the next competitor not already qualified for the WSL Longboard Tour to earn his place among the world's best. - WSL / Tony Heff
Micah DeSoto Qualifies for 2025 WSL Longboard Tour
Despite losing his first heat in Quarterfinal, Heat 3, Micah Desoto (HAW) earned enough points between Ala Moana Bowls and Haleiwa to join the world's best in 2025. DeSoto looks to add more success to the iconic DeSoto surf family, with Duane Desoto (HAW) as former WSL Longboard Champion, and representing Hawaii on the WSL Longboard Tour.
Event organizers will reconvene Friday, November 29, at 7:00 a.m. HST for a possible 8:00 a.m. HST start to The Hawaiian Islands HIC Haleiwa Pro QS 1000.
The event window opens November 25 through December 7. Event organizers will select the best four days of the event window to run competition.