Like a good big brother, Micah Moniz waited his turn to surf in the spotlight.

His patience was rewarded with an unexpected state championship yesterday.

Moniz won the prestigious junior men's division of the Hard Rock Cafe Hawai'i State Surfing Championships.

The final day of the three-day contest was completed in 1- to 3-foot waves at Ala Moana Bowls.

The competition started on Thursday with more than 200 surfers. By the end of yesterday's heats, state champions in 27 different divisions were crowned.

The most surprising may have been Moniz.

"This is my biggest win, guarantee," Moniz said. "I usually get last, so I was happy just to be in the final. I'm pretty stoked I won. Can't believe it."

The junior men's division is for ages 15 to 17, and many of them are considered top prospects for the professional world tour.

Moniz, 17, did not even make a final during the 11 regular-season contests of the Hawai'i Surfing Association.

"For sure, I was the underdog," he said. "I got lucky I guess."

Moniz was able to catch two of the bigger waves in the final heat, and received scores of 6.5 and 5.25 for a total of 11.75.

Runner-up Ezekiel Lau had the best wave of the heat — an 8.25 — but could not find a quality second wave and finished with a total score of 10.5.

Kainoa Haas placed third, and Ha'a Aikau was fourth. Lau, Haas and Aikau were all ranked ahead of Moniz during the regular season.

"I'm so happy for Micah because he's lost so many times," said his father, former professional surfer Tony Moniz. "He really needed a boost like this."

Micah just completed his junior year at Elite Element Academy. He is the oldest of five surfing siblings, and his three brothers and sister have all experienced victories at various contests in recent years.

"What's neat — and I'm really proud of this — is that it never really bothered (Micah) to see his brothers win all those trophies," Tony said. "Today was his day."

Micah said: "There's no pressure on any of us. I'm the oldest, so I just watch over them and stuff. I support all of them."

It was also a victorious day for the Ahina family.

Nelson Ahina won the longboard junior men's division. His older sisters, Stacia and Ashley, placed first and second, respectively, in the women's longboard division.

Nelson had the best scores of the entire contest in his victory. His two best waves received scores of 9.5 and 8.5 for a total of 18 (out of 20).

"I rode it all the way in, did like five turns and some nose-rides," he said of his 9.5 wave. "We got lucky, some good waves came in during our heat."

Nelson is 16 and just completed his junior year at Roosevelt High. He also placed second against older surfers in the longboard open men's division.

Among the other standouts: