Hawaii’s Payne wins first leg of surfing triple crown
Maui's Dusty Payne launched off the top of a wave during Saturday's final competition in the Reef Hawaiian Pro at Alii Beach Park in Haleiwa.
Maui’s Dusty Payne won the Reef Hawaiian Pro final today against Australia’s Julian Wilson and Adam Melling and France’s Jeremy Flores.
Payne earned $40,000 for his dynamic power surfing in the clean waves at Alii Beach Park in Haleiwa.
Payne ripped to scores of 9.87 and 9.77 for the 19.64 total.
Wilson was second, at 18.74, followed by Flores in third and Melling in fourth.
"It was fun. I got to surf perfect Haleiwa for four days," an emotional Payne said after paddling in. "I just want to have fun and keep surfing."
Payne, who has battled knee and ankle injuries and fell off the ASP world tour, is also the front-runner for the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing title, which goes to the best surfer in the three season-ending contests on Oahu’s North Shore.
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The Vans World Cup of Surfing (Nov. 24 to Dec. 6) at Sunset Beach and the Billabong Pipe Masters (Dec. 8-20) at Banzai Pipeline at Ehukai Beach follow.
