The iconic Sunset Point stormed to life for a pivotal day of competition at the HTA Sunset Pro, a men’s and women’s World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 2,000-level event, to determine Finals Day draws. Solid eight-to-ten-foot, occasional plus sets, wave faces put the region’s top contenders to the ultimate test and delivered some memorable performances through the women’s Quarterfinals and men’s Round of 64, with defending event victor Kiara Goold, Sunset Beach local Zoie Zietz, Joshua Moniz, Shion Crawford, Mason Ho, and Barron Mamiya leading the charge.

With the arriving storm impacting the North Shore, event organizers have called competition OFF for Wednesday, October 28.

Abundance of Excellence From Former Event Champions

From defending event victor Joshua Moniz, to 2023 Sunset Pro winner Shion Crawford, 2022 event winner and current Championship Tour (CT) competitor, Barron Mamiya, a 2017 Sunset Beach victor, Ezekiel Lau, and 2013 winner, Mason Ho, all posted an excellent number, meaning an 8.00 (out of a possible 10) or higher, in their respective debuts. Mamiya upped the ante with a 9.00 in a stout heat that only yielded the one score before Ho matched him in his Round of 64, Heat 12 battle to post a 15.00 (out of a possible 20) heat total.

“I thought yesterday was fun, but today was a lot more fun. It was just so much better with bigger waves, more consistent in that heat, and just cleaner,” said Ho. “It was maybe about as clean as Sunset gets.”

The 2023 HTA Sunset Pro victor, Shion Crawford, made his return to the QS with a statement-making performance, posting an excellent 8.00 and 15.00 heat total. “I’m just stoked to be back home and surf Sunset with some good waves, so I’m psyched,” said Crawford. “I’m feeling good. My ankle feels great in these bigger waves.”

But, Moniz topped the former event victors with a day’s best 15.25 heat total to jumpstart his back-to-back podium charge. This event would be the final gem in Moniz’s North Shore trifecta after winning both Pipeline and Haleʻiwa, as he continues to set the standard among the region’s premier talents.

Kiara Goold’s Sunset Title Defense Goes to Finals Day, Zoie Zietz Keeps Surging

A breakout year for Tahiti’s phenom, Kiara Goold (PYF), included a maiden QS victory at this event in 2025, and now she’s back in Finals Day. Goold’s forehand style and fearless approach pushed the scale to a 6.75, noting the women’s top single-scoring wave of the day, to take control of her 2026 debut. Now, the 15-year-old is looking for more Sunset glory as decorated QS contender Zoe McDougall (HAW) joins Goold in the advancing position.

“It feels really good to start like that. It’s always so hard to get that first wave and surf it your best,” said Goold. “Now I’ll go into the Semifinals with a different mindset and be more attacking rather than holding back. But I’m stoked to be back in Finals Day and hopefully get some more good waves.”

Fellow Tahitian Miliani Simon also joins Goold in the Semifinals, alongside an unstoppable Zoee Bradshaw, who earned her third-straight heat win in her QS debut, and regional threat Zoie Zietz. Zietz helped eliminate three-time Hawaiʻi/Tahiti Nui QS Regional victor, Moana Jones Wong, alongside Sunset Beach’s own Chesney Guinotte.

Day 1: Rising Swell Pushes Opening Day Performances

When Sunset Beach begins to pulse, things get interesting, and the Hawaiʻi/Tahiti Nui contingent showed they’re ready for the task on opening day of the HTA Sunset Pro. The Hawaiʻi/Tahiti Nui North Shore trifecta is officially underway with opening day at the HTA Sunset Pro firing into action. Solid four-to-six foot wave faces, with glimpses of eight-foot plus sets, pulsed into the iconic Sunset Point lineup with women’s Round of 28, Round of 24, and men’s Round of 96 powering through in their entirety.

After getting her opportunity at multiple Challenger Series events in 2026, Zoie Zietz returned to the Hawaiʻi/Tahiti Nui QS platform in decimating form, unleashing her forehand attack for a 7.50 (out of a possible 10) and 14.90 (out of a possible 20) heat total, marking the best heat total of the women’s opening rounds. Joining Zietz with the performance of the day, Koa Smith delivered his signature backhand attack to post an excellent 8.50 and 15.35 heat total.

At age 13, Zoee Bradshaw made her QS debut in dominant form, leading with the Round of 28’s best single-wave score of a 7.75 and a 12.50 heat total. Plus, dynamic showings from Shayden Pacarro, who accrued a 14.00 heat total, and Mason Ho, who locked in an impressive 7.25, made their statements in pulsing Sunset conditions.

More available on WorldSurfLeague.com.

More from We Speak Media

BKT EuroCup Round 5 Preview: Perfect Starts, Old Scores and a London Home StandBorussia Dortmund vs Eintracht Frankfurt Preview: Unbeaten BVB Defend Second PlaceNapoli vs Roma Preview: Unbeaten Roma Bring Serie A’s Meanest Defence to NaplesLiverpool vs Brighton Preview: Reds Return to Anfield After European ClassicDTLR Presents UGA x OutKast Capsule Shopping Experience This Friday at The Loop in Atlanta2027 Sundance Film Festival Reveals Legacy Programming, Co-Presented by LetterboxdThe Neighbourhood Announce The Wourld Tour II, Adding Arena Dates Starting March 2027Tye Tribbett Brings Exclusive ‘V20 First Semester’ Album Experience to Revolt Studios in Atlanta on November 4