Perkins won the Hawaiian South Shore Classic longboard surfing contest yesterday at Kuhio Beach, Waikiki. It was his first surfing session since undergoing surgery on his right knee last month.

"There was no pain, so that was good," said Perkins, 31. "I wanted to give myself some time off before I started surfing, but once I saw this contest was on, I figured it would be a good time to test it."

Most of the state's top longboard surfers entered the contest.

Waves were only 1 to 2 feet yesterday, but that was perfect for Perkins.

"I guess it was kind of helpful to start off kind of small rather than jump into the thick of things when it's big," said Perkins, the 1996 world longboard champion.

Because of the small waves, the surfers' scores were relatively low. In the four-man final, Perkins' best two waves received scores of 7.0 and 6.0.

Virgil Sisiam, a 39-year-old amateur, was a surprising runner-up. He said he often enters professional contests, but never expects to reach the final.

"I like to go up against the established guys, plus the young up-and-coming ones," he said. "I enter just to see where my level is at. This is the best I've ever done."

BONGA PERKINS

"When the waves are small and choppy like this, it's not that easy," he said. "So for me, I can't complain getting second to Bonga. He's a world champion."

Scotty Fong placed third and Kekoa Auwae was fourth.

The contest was the first of five in the Steinlager Shaka Series. Each contest in the series will feature divisions for amateur surfers of all ages as well as a professional division.

The Hawaiian South Shore Classic will run its amateur divisions today at Kuhio Beach. For information on future contests, visit hawaiianwatershots.com.

Final results

1, Bonga Perkins. 2, Virgil Sisiam. 3, Scotty Fong. 4, Kekoa Auwae. 5 (tie), Ned Snow and Kekaula Campbell. 7 (tie), Fritz Belmero and Kamu Auwae. 9 (tie), Kekoa Uemura, Cedric Caires, Emerick Ishikawa and Kapono Nahina. 13 (tie), Stanton Vierra, Kaimana Beauford, Joey Valentin and Ezra Rodrigues.

Billabong Pro Teahupoo

• Irons ties for third: Two-time defending world champion Andy Irons of Kaua'i placed third in the Billabong Pro Teahupoo yesterday, and remained the No. 1 surfer in the 2004 world rankings.

The final day of the contest was completed in barelling 8-foot waves at Teahupoo, Tahiti.

Irons was eliminated in the semifinals by Australia's Nathan Hedge. Florida's C.J. Hobgood defeated Hedge in the final.

Earlier in the day, Irons defeated Wai'anae's Sunny Garcia in the quarterfinals.

Through three contests on the 2004 World Championship Tour, Irons has 2,784 points. Kelly Slater, who tied for third with Irons yesterday, is ranked No. 2 with 2,340.