The 2025 Local Motion Surf Into Summer At Home In The Hawaiian Islands wrapped up with stirring victories from Kelis Kaleopa’a and Kai Sallas, both reaffirming their elite status in world longboarding. Held at Ala Moana Bowls, O’ahu, the event showcased the region’s top talents in near-perfect surf conditions in front of an enthusiastic local crowd.
Key Takeaways
- Kelis Kaleopa’a clinched her second consecutive Surf Into Summer title.
- Kai Sallas completed a season sweep with another win and secured the men’s regional crown.
- Sophia Culhane and Nelson Ahina III earned runner-up finishes and qualified for the 2025 WSL Longboard Tour.
- Sive Jarrard rejoins the WSL Longboard Tour after topping regional rankings.
Dominant Displays by Kaleopa’a and Sallas
Kelis Kaleopa’a, a rising star from Waikīkī, went back-to-back at this event, reaffirming her spot among the world’s longboard elite. In the final, her precision nose riding and fluid style set her apart, earning her a heat total that left the competition behind. Kaleopa’a expressed delight at claiming victory at her home break, especially after a challenging year away from competition.
Kai Sallas, a decorated local favorite and 2023 World Longboard Champion, added yet another title to his resume. Sallas demonstrated world-class prowess with high-scoring rides, including the day’s best single-wave score, cementing his sweep of the 2024/2025 Hawaiʻi/Tahiti Nui season and his confidence heading into the World Longboard Tour.
Rising Stars and Regional Rankings
Sophia Culhane, another Waikīkī native, narrowly missed out on the women’s title but proved she is a force to be reckoned with as she prepares for her world title run. Nelson Ahina III made an emotional return to the world stage, securing his place on the WSL Longboard Tour with back-to-back finalist appearances and consistently powerful performances throughout the season.
For the women, Sive Jarrard’s consistent performances across regional events earned her a return to the WSL Longboard Tour and the top spot on the regional leaderboard. Her calm under pressure and dedication ensured she will compete at the highest level once more.
Regional Longboard Rankings:
| Women | Men |
|---|---|
| Sive Jarrard (ASM) | Kai Sallas (HAW) |
| Sophia Culhane (HAW) | Nelson Ahina III (HAW) |
| Natalia Wunderlich (HAW) | John Michael Van Hohenstein (HAW) |
| Kelis Kaleopa’a (HAW) | Scotty Fong Jr. (HAW) |
Looking Ahead to the World Longboard Tour
With this pivotal event concluded, all eyes now turn to the upcoming WSL Longboard Tour, where these Hawaiian and Tahitian qualifiers will represent their region among the world’s best. The 2025 season kicks off at the Huntington Longboard Classic in July, promising even more excitement and top-tier competition from these standout athletes.
Sources
- Kelis Kaleopa’a and Kai Sallas Win 2025 Local Motion Surf Into Summer At Home In The Hawaiian Islands, World Surf League.
- Local Motion Surf Into Summer At Home In The Hawaiian Islands Set to Determine Hawaiʻi/Tahiti Nui’s WSL
Longboard Tour Qualifiers, World Surf League.
