Hawaiian Surfing Stars Jackson Bunch and Vaihitimahana Inso Dominate Local Motion Surf Into Summer

Hawaiian surfers Jackson Bunch and Vaihitimahana Inso claimed victories at the Local Motion Surf Into Summer WSL Qualifying Series event held at Ala Moana Bowls.

Hawaiian Surfing Stars Jackson Bunch and Vaihitimahana Inso Dominate Local Motion Surf Into Summer

The Local Motion Surf Into Summer, a World Surf League Qualifying Series event, concluded at Ala Moana Bowls with Hawaiian surfers Jackson Bunch and Vaihitimahana Inso emerging as the champions. The event showcased impressive talent and thrilling performances on the waves of Oahu.

Key Takeaways

  • Jackson Bunch secured his third consecutive event victory, including a perfect 10-point ride.
  • Vaihitimahana Inso successfully defended her title, marking her second consecutive win at the event.
  • Both surfers now lead the Hawaii/Tahiti Nui Qualifying Series rankings.

Bunch's Dominant Victory

Jackson Bunch delivered a commanding performance to claim the men's title at Ala Moana Bowls. His victory was highlighted by a perfect 10-point ride, contributing to a winning total of 19.50 points in the final. This marks Bunch's third consecutive event win of the season, solidifying his strong form. He bested a competitive final field that included fellow Hawaiian standouts Finn McGill, Ezekiel Lau, and Ian Gentil.

"It's my favorite wave on the whole south side of Oahu," Bunch commented after his win. "I had a second and a third here before, so I'm really stoked to finally get the win. I'm really stoked to get my first-ever 10 in a WSL contest as well."

Inso Defends Her Title

On the women's side, Vaihitimahana Inso showcased her prowess by defending her home break and securing back-to-back Surf Into Summer titles. Her winning score in the final was 17.45, which included a standout 9-point ride. Inso managed to hold off strong competition from Moana Jones Wong, Skai Suitt, and Miliani Simon.

"Everyone kind of had close scores, so I knew I needed something better," Inso shared. "When I got that wave, I just felt really confident. After I got the nine, I saw Zeke in the channel and he was excited, and I was excited. He's been helping me a lot, so that was probably my favorite moment."

Looking Ahead

With these victories, both Bunch and Inso are now at the top of the Hawaii/Tahiti Nui Qualifying Series rankings. The focus now shifts to the upcoming Challenger Series, which kicks off with the Ballito Pro in South Africa from July 12-18. The women's Hawaii/Tahiti Nui season will resume later in the year.

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