SUNSET BEACH, Oahu, Hawaii (Saturday, November 22, 2025) – Today, Kiara Goold (PYF) and Finn McGill (HAW) claimed iconic wins at the HTA Sunset Pro, a men’s and women’s World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 2,000-level event, in pumping conditions at Sunset Point. Eight-to-twelve-foot wave faces pulsed into the legendary lineup with Goold, 15, overpowering Sunset’s energy for her maiden QS win alongside McGill’s precision and power leading to a second-career QS victory.
Tahitian Teenage Phenom Goold Claims Maiden QS Victory
At 15, Kiara Goold (HAW) joins an esteemed list of victors at Sunset Beach, including former CT Rookie of the Year Gabriela Bryan (HAW), reigning QS Regional victor Eweleiula Wong (HAW), and regional standout Nora Liotta (HAW) at the QS level. The Tahitian’s rise to becoming a young phenom already included a 2024 Sunset Pro Finals appearance, a wildcard to the 2025 Challenger Series, and now resides at No. 3 on the rankings.
“It’s really amazing. I wouldn’t expect to get high scores here. I got the 8.67 and I’m just really happy,” said Goold. “This event means a lot to me and my family, and I’m so happy to win for the first time ever. I’m super excited for the next events because there are going to CT girls in the next one so I’m really excited.”
Pictured: Goold approached pumping Sunset without fear and showed she’s way ahead of her years. Credit: WSL/ Heff
The women’s Final featured one of the region’s established threats, Moana Jones Wong (HAW), facing rising phenom Kiara Goold (PYF), 2025 TOA Pro victor Aelan Vaast (PYF), and recurring regional talent Malia Lima (HAW). The 15-year-old Tahitian, Goold, opened the Final up with the first score of consequence, belting an outside turn before pulling into a proper Sunset barrel to post an excellent 8.67 (out of a possible 10). But, Jones Wong posted an 8.10 of her own utilizing her backhand attack. With sets pumping into the lineup throughout the Final as the swell filled in, Goold was able to find another gem to unleash her forehand flair on a Sunset wall and posted a 7.67 to leave Vaast and Lima in a combination situation, meaning they needed to new scores, with a women’s event-best 16.34 (out of a possible 20) heat total.
Jones Wong’s last attempt was futile, needing an excellent 8.18 to match Goold’s impeccable heat total. Goold now prepares for the remaining North Shore leg of events, with Haleʻiwa’s hallowed grounds next up.
North Shore’s Own McGill Overpowers Superheat Final For First Win In Home Waters
For the North Shore’s Finn McGill (HAW), this marks a second-career QS victory and his first in home waters after winning the Air Tahiti Rangiroa Pro earlier this year. The win in Rangiora helped propel him to the Challenger Series for the first time since his equal ninth at Haleʻiwa in 2021. The 2017 World Junior Champion, McGill, holds a Sunset Pro Junior win and now a QS victory as he moves to No. 1 on the rankings.
“It’s so special. I’ve gotten second, I think, six times in this QS and the old QS 3,000 to Jack Robinson and Barron Mamiya in the past. So, it was amazing to finally break that curse,” said McGill. “I love this wave, and I think I’m the only one who actually likes to surf this wave. It’s just a special wave for me. I grew up next to Pancho Sullivan, and he’d take me out here as a kid, so this place has my heart more than any other.”
The men’s Final witnessed some of Hawaiʻi/Tahiti Nui’s certified contenders, including Championship Tour (CT) mainstay Barron Mamiya (HAW), multi-QS victor Josh Moniz (HAW), 2017 World Junior Champion Finn McGill (HAW), and a new threat of Kingston Panebianco (HAW). Mamiya was able to notch an early score of 5.17, but Moniz found the first meaningful score on his forehand attack to earn a 7.17. But, McGill locked into a Sunset gem and laid into it with his powerful forehand on multiple sections to garner a near-perfect 9.00 for a slim lead. Panebianco took control of the Final when he posted a 7.57 of his own to put the elite field on notice, but Moniz was able to answer back and regain the lead with a 6.50. Then, McGill had one more opportunity to respond and posted just above the requirement and overtook the lead heading into the final moments.
“I was surfing for 10s. Then it came down to me needing a four so I was like lets just get one, and there was two minutes left. Somehow I made it happen and it made worked in my favor this time. Kingston is a legend, and I grew up with Barron and Josh so to compete with them here is so special.”
When the horn sounded, McGill was chaired up Sunset Beach for the first time since his Pro Junior win in 2018. Mcgill’s run to the Final included a big Round of 32 and Quarterfinal victories before advancing behind Mamiya in the Semifinals and getting one back on the multi-CT victor in the Final. Now, the 25-year-old heads to Haleʻiwa as the regional No. 1.
Pictured: Moana Jones Wong (HAW) nearly earned her second North Shore QS victory. Credit: WSL/ Heff
Cemented QS Standouts Moana Jones Wong and Josh Moniz Earn Runner-up Finishes
Moana Jones Wong (HAW) leaves the arena of Sunset Point retaining her No. 1 rank among the region’s best. Jones Wong’s run to the Final included a massive Semifinal victory, posting an impressive 7.17 to earn the heat win before falling just short of a maiden WSL win at Sunset Beach. Now, the North Shore’s own prepares for another one of its tests at Haleʻiwa.
A multi- QS event victor, Joshua Moniz (HAW), nearly earned a third North Shore victory and finishes with another Finals appearance. Moniz, a victor at Pipeline and defending HTA HIC Haleʻiwa Pro QS 2,000 victor, surged through Finals Day with a Round of 32 victory before earning advancing positions in both his Quarterfinal and Semifinal showdowns. The perennial QS standout, Moniz, now sets his eyes back on Haleʻiwa with more success in mind as the new regional No. 5.
“I’m stoked to get on a start like this, it feels really good. Of course, I did want to win, and I wanted to win here the most out of the three events because it’s the only spot I haven’t won at yet,” said Moniz. “But, I’m just excited to surf good waves on the North Shore, and I’m stoked we have these three events back. I think being able to know you can push through those four big heats on Finals Day is good for the confidence. That’s the most you can get out of it, so it feels good.”
Next Up, the HTA HIC Haleʻiwa Pro Awaits
The Hawaiʻi/Tahiti Nui Qualifying Series contingent joins the region’s best longboarders for the upcoming HTA HIC Haleʻiwa Pro, a QS 2,000 and LQS 1,000-level event, beginning Saturday, November 29, through Saturday, December 6. This marks the opening event for the longboard contenders toward 2026 WSL Longboard Tour qualification. All-important points are on the line for the men and women QS as Challenger Series qualification spots are up for grabs, and only two events are left to stake their claim. Plus, a world-class field is in attendance, including CT mainstays, longboard icons, and the region’s premier contenders.
For more information, please visit www.WorldSurfLeague.com.
HTA Sunset Pro Women’s Finals Results:
1 – Kiara Goold (PYF) 16.34
2 – Moana Jones Wong (HAW) 13.93
3 – Malia Lima (HAW) 9.34
4 – Aelan Vaast (PYF) 7.17
HTA Sunset Pro Men’s Finals Results:
1 – Finn McGill (HAW) 14.07
2 – Joshua Moniz (HAW) 13.67
3 – Kingston Panebianco (HAW) 12.50
4 – Barron Mamiya (HAW) 9.64
HTA Sunset Pro Women’s Semifinals Results:
HEAT 1: Moana Jones Wong (HAW) 13.57 DEF. Malia Lima (HAW) 9.16, Eweleiula Wong (HAW) 8.40, Zoie Zietz (NLD) 7.50
HEAT 2: Aelan Vaast (PYF) 14.16 DEF. Kiara Goold (PYF) 10.90, Zoe McDougall (HAW) 8.27, Vaihitimahana Inso (HAW) 5.70
HTA Sunset Pro Men’s Semifinals Results:
HEAT 1: Barron Mamiya (HAW) 15.17 DEF. Finn McGill (HAW) 13.17, Ezekiel Lau (HAW) 8.33, Luke Tema (HAW) 4.00
HEAT 2: Joshua Moniz (HAW) 15.83 DEF. Kingston Panebianco (HAW) 13.13, Oliver Zietz (NLD) 12.20, Kuio Young (HAW) 10.17
HTA Sunset Pro Men’s Quarterfinals Results:
HEAT 1: Finn McGill (HAW) 14.40 DEF. Ezekiel Lau (HAW) 11.50, Ian Gentil (HAW) 11.00, Makai McNamara (HAW) 3.63
HEAT 2: Barron Mamiya (HAW) 14.33 DEF. Luke Tema (HAW) 13.46, Turo Ariitu (PYF) 13.00, Billy Kemper (HAW) 6.83
HEAT 3: Kingston Panebianco (HAW) 12.67 DEF. Joshua Moniz (HAW) 8.73, Imaikalani deVault (HAW) 7.80, Rylan Beavers (HAW) 7.40
HEAT 4: Oliver Zietz (NLD) 13.83 DEF. Kuio Young (HAW) 10.74, Logan Bediamol (HAW) 10.40, Levi Young (HAW) 6.36
HTA Sunset Pro Men’s Round of 32 Results:
HEAT 1: Ian Gentil (HAW) 15.17 DEF. Billy Kemper (HAW) 11.84, Steve Roberson (HAW) 8.83, Kane Turalde (HAW) 7.17
HEAT 2: Finn McGill (HAW) 14.90 DEF. Turo Ariitu (PYF) 12.50, Kai Martin (HAW) 10.37, Merrik Mochkatel (HAW) 9.57
HEAT 3: Luke Tema (HAW) 11.67 DEF. Makai McNamara (HAW) 10.37, Tiger Abubo (HAW) 6.83, Kiron Jabour (HAW) 5.23
HEAT 4: Barron Mamiya (HAW) 15.50 DEF. Ezekiel Lau (HAW) 10.40, Cash Berzolla (HAW) 7.74, Coconut Willie (HAW) 3.00
HEAT 5: Kingston Panebianco (HAW) 11.96 DEF. Kuio Young (HAW) 11.30, Mihimana Braye (PYF) 11.16, Nalu Sheppard (HAW) 8.47
HEAT 6: Joshua Moniz (HAW) 9.33 DEF. Oliver Zietz (NLD) 8.87, Legend Chandler (HAW) 5.17, Jackson Bunch (HAW) 2.14
HEAT 7: Logan Bediamol (HAW) 13.10 DEF. Rylan Beavers (HAW) 9.57, Shiloh Tennberg (HAW) 8.73, Jackson Dorian (HAW) 5.60
HEAT 8: Levi Young (HAW) 13.57 DEF. Imaikalani deVault (HAW) 11.00, Diego Ferri (HAW) 10.13, Luke Swanson (HAW) 8.40
About the WSL
The World Surf League (WSL) is the global home of competitive surfing, crowning World Champions since 1976 and showcasing the world’s best surfing. The WSL oversees surfing’s global competitive landscape and sets the standard for elite performance in the most dynamic playing field in all of sports. With a firm commitment to its values, the WSL prioritizes the protection of the ocean, equality, and the sport’s rich heritage, while championing progression and innovation.
For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
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