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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Monday, January 2, 2006

Punahou student in Billabong quarters

Advertiser Staff

Hawai'i surfer Carissa Moore was the standout of the girls division yesterday at the Billabong World Junior Championships.

The opening day of the contest was completed in 2- to 4-foot waves at North Narrabeen, Australia.

Moore, an eighth grader at Punahou School, advanced to the quarterfinals with the best scores of the day. In her third-round victory, she received a 9.17 (out of 10) and an 8.67 on her two best waves for a total score of 17.84.

It was the highest total of the day, including the boys division. Moore is the only Hawai'i entry in the girls division.

In the boys division, four Hawai'i surfers won first-round heats: Kekoa Bacalso of Mililani, Kai Barger of Maui, Dustin Cuizon of 'Ewa Beach and Hank Gaskell of Maui.

As first-round winners, they advanced directly to the third round.

Bacalso had the best score among the Hawai'i contingent with a two-wave total of 14.83. Gaskell also had a solid heat with a two-wave score of 14.66.

T.J. Barron from O'ahu's North Shore and Granger Larsen of Maui both lost in the first round and will have to compete in the elimination second round.

The contest is considered the world championship for surfers under the age of 21.

Only 48 surfers were allowed to compete in the boys division. This is the first year for a girls division, and only 18 females were allowed to enter.