A Punahou School student made history yesterday.

This one did it on the waves.

Carissa Moore became the most decorated surfer in the history of the National Scholastic Surfing Association's National Championships by winning three titles.

Moore captured first-place trophies in the open women, explorer girls and middle school girls surfing divisions during the week-long competition at Lower Trestles, San Clemente, Calif.

Moore now has a record nine NSSA national titles in her career. The previous record of seven was held by California's Bobby Martinez, who is now a successful pro surfer.

"I was nervous, but excited," said Moore, who is 13 and a freshman-to-be. "The waves are really good at Lowers, but all the girls are such good surfers, so I wasn't sure how I would do."

More than 1,000 scholastic surfers — ranging from elementary school to college — participated in the contest. It is considered the biggest event in the country for amateur surfers.

Moore won the open women's division for the third consecutive year. That is considered the top division for females, and the winner is awarded a trophy called the Governor's Cup.

Moore was trailing for most of the heat, but received a score of 8.75 in the final minute.

"I wasn't catching too many waves at the start," she said. "But I got lucky at the end and caught a really good one."

Moore actually advanced to four final heats, winning three and placing second in the explorer women's division.

Led by Moore, Hawai'i surfers combined to win 11 first-place trophies.

Kaiser High senior-to-be Kekoa Cazimero won the open men's division — the top division for males. He also received a Governor's Cup trophy.

"This is my biggest win, by far," said Cazimero, 17. "Just to make the finals here is huge. I can't believe I won."

Hawai'i surfers took the top five places in the open men's final: Dusty Payne was second, Casey Brown third, Granger Larsen fourth and Clay Marzo fifth.

Kaua'i's Koa Smith won two championships, placing first in the middle school boys and open mini-groms divisions.

Other national champions from Hawai'i were: Dusty Payne (explorer men), Granger Larsen (explorer juniors), Ezekiel Lau (explorer menehune), Paige Alms (explorer women), and Travis Smith (middle school bodyboarding).

HOW HAWAI'I SURFERS FARED

OPEN DIVISIONS

Men: 1, Kekoa Cazimero. 2, Dusty Payne. 3, Casey Brown. 4, Granger Larsen. 5, Clay Marzo. Juniors: 2, Alex Smith. 4, Dege O'Connell. 5, Granger Larsen. 6, John John Florence. Boys: 2, Ezekiel Lau. 4, David Brand. 6, Keanu Asing. Mini-groms: 1, Koa Smith. 2, Lahikiola Minamishin. 4, Kalani David. 5, Luke Hitchcock. 6, Kaoli Kahokuloa. Women: 1, Carissa Moore. 2, Malia Manuel. 4, Coco Ho. 6, Lani Hunter.

EXPLORER DIVISIONS

Girls: 1, Carissa Moore. 2, Coco Ho. 3, Malia Manuel. 4, Ashley Hunter. 5, Erika Steiner. 6, Kallee Krebs. Men: 1, Dusty Payne. 2, Chas Chidester. 3, Nathan Rex. 4, Casey Brown. 5, Kai Barger. 6, Torrey Meister. Juniors: 1, Granger Larsen. 2, Dusty Payne. 4, Tonino Benson. 6, Kekoa Cazimero. Boys: 4, Ezekiel Lau. 5, Kiron Jabour. Menehune: 1, Ezekiel Lau. 4, David Brand. Women: 1, Paige Alms. 2, Carissa Moore. 3, Lani Hunter. 4, Alana Blanchard. 5, Bethany Hamilton. Masters: 3, Christian Budroe. Seniors: Brian Suratt.

MIDDLE SCHOOL DIVISIONS

Girls: 1, Carissa Moore. 2, Malia Manuel. 3, Leila Hurst. Boys: 1, Koa Smith. Bodyboarding: 1, Travis Smith.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.