Charging Hard in Hawaii

HARD CHARGING HAWAIIAN: Moana Jones Wong pulled off a huge upset. Photo WSL / Bielmann

Flawless and scary 6-12ft lines met the women in their historic first official WSL outing at the infamous lefthander on the first stop on the World Surf League (WSL) 2022 Championship Tour (CT). Today’s surfing saw big eliminations. Four competitors remain: Tyler Wright (AUS), Moana Jones Wong (HAW), Carissa Moore (HAW), and Lakey Peterson (AUS).

As the only surfer to get immaculate scores, five-time WSL Champion Carissa Moore (HAW) found I had a good cry where I got all my nerves and anxiety out.success at Backdoor and locked her spot into the Semifinals. Moore started the day facing international surfing icon Bethany Hamilton (HAW), who got the last-minute call to replace Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) at the Billabong Pro Pipeline. Moore kicked off the heat with a mid-range score going on her backside at Pipeline. Then, she moved over to Backdoor where she scored a near-perfect 9.50 (out of a possible 10) with a deep barrel and locked her slot in the Quarterfinals.

“I have to admit I was really nervous this morning,” said Moore. “I had a good cry where I got all my nerves and anxiety out. It was nice, the water settled and the sun came out, so I was happy because it felt like a really nice day for us. There’s so much energy you feel out on the reef, and on top of that, there’s so much history out there. So being a surfer, this is where you want to surf, and where you want to improve yourself.”

SPLIT PEAK: Bethany Hamilton has an uncanny ability to get the best ones. Photo WSL / Bielmann

Later in the day, Moore battled for a place in the Semifinals with Brisa Hennessy (CRI), who secured her place in the Quarterfinals after winning her Round of 16 heat against rookie threat Gabriela Bryan (HAW). Moore managed to ride another excellent Backdoor wave in the slowing conditions, earning an 8.33 with just six minutes remaining to seal her victory over Hennessy.

“We have quite a bit of a waiting period left and I’m excited to see what the rest of the waiting period brings. Hopefully, it’s not too big,” added Moore.

World #2 Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) and World #3 Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) were eliminated in their Round of 16 heats by local favorites. Fitzgibbons could not overcome Malia Manuel (HAW) and Weston-Webb was stopped by Moana Jones Wong (HAW). Manuel and Wong focused on hunting Backdoor barrels, and both advanced with ease into the Quarterfinals.

BACK FOR MOORE: Carissa Moore was in another league in cooking Pipe. Photo WSL / Bielmann

But, the Quarterfinals marked the end of Manuel’s surge through the event after facing elimination from two-time WSL Champion Tyler Wright (AUS). Wright walked through the Round of 16 to the Quarterfinals as rookie India Robinson (AUS) pulled out of competition due to a pre-existing injury. With WSL's commitment to give the women access to Pipeline for the first time, Wright still had the opportunity of surfing the 40-minute heat by herself, using the time in the water to figure out the conditions, and scored a great Backdoor barrel for a 5.50.

“I’m just stoked to have the opportunity of being out there and catch waves,” said Wright. “The more I’m out there, the more I’m taking in, putting myself in a good and safe position, noticing wave directions and swell lines. Every time I’m out there it’s just so much information for my brain, it’s amazing!"

Wildcard Wong went on to battle CT sophomore Isabella Nichols (AUS) and began the Quarterfinal duel with a 5.67 (out of a possible 10). Wong then added a backup 5.67 to her scoreline after finding another hollow exit and left Nichols needing a near-perfect score. But, the Australian’s last effort on a heavy Backdoor wave earned her a 7.67 and couldn’t find one more opportunity as time expired, sending Wong into the Semifinals.

DEFIANT DEFAY: Johanne Defay was pulling into Backdoor tubes. Photo WSL / Bielmann

World #4 Johanne Defay (FRA) looked comfortable and confident in the conditions during Heat 6 of Round of 16, taking the win against rookie Molly Picklum (AUS). Moving into the Quarterfinals, Defay faced World #7 Lakey Peterson (USA). Defay was able to keep the lead on the scoreboard until the final seconds when Peterson got a buzzer-beater, Backdoor gift to take the win and advance to the Semifinals, where she will face Moore.

“God was looking out for me there today,” said Peterson. “I was looking at my watch and I had twenty seconds so I knew I had to make her go on the first one so I had a clear area so I could take off for the next one. It worked out and I was in the perfect spot, and it came. It felt meant to be.”

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

TATIANA TAKEOFF: Many had helmets on. Not Tatiana Weston-Webb. Photo WSL / Bielmann

Women’s Round of 16
HEAT 1: Malia Manuel (HAW) 8.73 DEF. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 7.06
HEAT 2: Tyler Wright (AUS) 8.27 DEF. India Robinson (AUS)
HEAT 3: Moana Jones Wong (HAW) 10.77 DEF. Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 9.44
HEAT 4: Isabella Nichols (AUS) 11.06 DEF. Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) 7.03
HEAT 5: Carissa Moore (HAW) 14.67 DEF. Bethany Hamilton (HAW) 2.23
HEAT 6: Brisa Hennessy (CRI) 9.16 DEF. Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 5.03
HEAT 7: Johanne Defay (FRA) 12.94 DEF. Molly Picklum (AUS) 11.17
HEAT 8: Lakey Peterson (USA) 13.83 DEF. Luana Silva (HAW) 2.200

Women’s Quarterfinals
HEAT 1: Tyler Wright (AUS) 5.77 DEF. Malia Manuel (HAW) 4.97
HEAT 2: Moana Jones Wong (HAW) 11.34 DEF. Isabella Nichols (AUS) 10.44
HEAT 3: Carissa Moore (HAW) 13.33 DEF. Brisa Hennessy (CRI) 4.37
HEAT 4: Lakey Peterson (USA) 8.70 DEF. Johanne Defay (FRA) 6.900

Women’s Semifinals Matchups
HEAT 1: Tyler Wright (AUS) vs. Moana Jones Wong (HAW)
HEAT 2: Carissa Moore (HAW) vs. Lakey Peterson (USA)4

Men’s Quarterfinals Matchups
HEAT 1: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Kanoa Igarashi (JPN)
HEAT 2: Miguel Pupo (BRA) vs. Lucca Mesinas (PER)
HEAT 3: Seth Moniz (HAW) vs. John John Florence (HAW)
HEAT 4: Caio Ibelli (BRA) vs. Samuel Pupo (BRA)s