Payne is on a summer swing of surfing success, having won national championships at two separate events in California over the last two weeks.

"This has been my best year, for sure," said Payne, who is from Lahaina, Maui. "I'm really stoked with how I did."

Payne is 16 and a junior-to-be at Thompson Academy. He won the explorer men's division at the National Scholastic Surfing Association (NSSA) Championships at Lower Trestles two weekends ago, then won the open men's division of the Surfing America USA Championships at Huntington Beach last weekend.

"He's got good practice ethics and he's really focused right now," said his coach, David Riddle. "He's been traveling for the past year, so I think he's catching on to what it takes to win heats."

Prior to entering the national events, Payne defeated several of his friends to win the state amateur championship in his age division.

"I'm confident in my surfing right now," he said. "And I surf every day when I'm back home, so I work on a lot of stuff."

Payne will return to California later this month for a junior-pro contest. He will also enter other professional contests this summer.

In October, he will represent Hawai'i at the World Junior Championships in Huntington Beach.

"He showed what he can do, and we just need him to stay strong," Riddle said.

Payne and his surfing buddies from Maui all fared well at the national events. Clay Marzo, Granger Larsen and Kai Barger also won championships.

"We surf together all the time, and we all won something, so we were just happy to bring it back to Maui," Payne said.