Sunset Wins, Olympic Bid & Perfect Waves
What a week in surfing! From the North Shore to the Olympics to the Mentawais, the stoke is high. Let's dive into the stories that have our community buzzing.
First up, the HTA Sunset Pro on Oahu's North Shore went down in powerful 8- to 12-foot surf. It was a day that separated the chargers, and two surfers rose to the top: Kiara Goold and Finn McGill. Goold, the 15-year-old Tahitian phenom, claimed her maiden QS victory in the women's final, dominating with a heat total of 16.34 that included an 8.67 for a deep barrel. 'It's really amazing,' Goold said. 'I wouldn't expect to get high scores here.' You can get the full breakdown over at Maui Now.
Meanwhile, Finn McGill, a North Shore local, broke his runner-up streak to claim his first QS win on home turf. The 25-year-old earned a near-perfect 9.00 in the men's final against a stacked field including CT star Barron Mamiya. 'It's so special,' McGill said. 'I've gotten second, I think, six times in this QS... so it was amazing to finally break that curse.' This win is huge for the North Shore's surf scene.
Switching gears to the big picture: USA Surfing made its final bid to regain Olympic certification for the LA 2028 Games. They presented their case to the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, warning that delays could cost crucial sponsorships. Kip Sheppard, USA Surfing's investor alliance leader, noted the uncertainty 'causes investors to delay decisions.' The organization is investing $4.1 million in athlete support, including AI video analysis and training camps. Coach Brett Simpson emphasized the trust built through years of athlete development: 'Every Olympic medal U.S. surfers have won so far has come through USA Surfing’s pipeline.' The final decision is pending, but the stakes are high. You can read more about the hearing on The Inertia.
And for a moment of pure stoke, the video of the best day at Lance's Right in the Mentawais this year is making the rounds. It’s just five minutes of a perfect day, with waves that didn't stop and memories that will last a lifetime. While the exact date is unknown, Surf Raw Files was there during the early dry season capturing the magic. The waves were so good that even now, the surfer in the clip is still talking about it. If you need a boost to get through the week, this is it. Check out the clip over at The Inertia.
From contest wins to Olympic dreams to the simple joy of a perfect wave, this week reminded us why we surf. What's your favorite story from this week? Let us know in the comments!