Bethany Hamilton is once again one of the state's best young female surfers.

Less than two years after her left arm was severed in a shark attack, Hamilton won the inaugural O'Neill Island Girl Junior Pro on Sunday at Po'ipu, Kaua'i.

The contest featured the state's top female surfers — professional or amateur — ages 21 and younger.

Hamilton, who is from Kaua'i, won four heats during the day, including the four-person final. Waves were in the 2- to 4-foot range during the contest.

"The waves were great for the contest, and I felt lucky to be out there," said Hamilton, 15. "I was super-stoked. I really had lots of fun here."

Hamilton received $1,500 for the victory.

Hamilton was one of the state's top-ranked surfers in her age group when she was attacked by a shark while surfing off Kaua'i in October of 2003. She returned to competitive surfing a year later. Earlier this year, she won a national title for her age group at the National Scholastic Surfing Association Championship in California.

Fellow Kaua'i surfer Leila Hurst placed second Sunday, followed by O'ahu's Alana Mock in third and the Big Island's Leilani Gryde in fourth.

Rochelle Ballard, a professional surfer from Kaua'i, organized the contest in conjunction with her annual surf camp for girls.

"The girls were ripping," Ballard said. "I share my home with these kids, and I'm proud to know that they will be future representatives of Hawai'i."